Shovel and Brush

Welcome to Shovel and Brush. My name is Ryan, and this site is the culmination of a personal journey that began in a place far removed from paintbrushes, miniatures, and narrative campaigns. It’s a journey rooted in my years of military service and my eventual discovery of the hobby. Which ended up becoming an outlet with unexpected sources of solace, creativity, and connection.

After serving in the military, I returned home to face the challenges that many veterans encounter: adapting to civilian life, navigating mental health struggles, and finding purpose outside a structured environment. For a long time, I searched for something that could ground me. That’s when I found all these paints and brushes and stuff.

What started as a curiosity about cool-ass miniatures quickly turned into a passion for building armies, crafting terrain, and drowning myself in rich, narrative-driven campaigns. Wargaming offered not just a hobby but an avenue for storytelling, strategy, and artistic expression—all of which helped me stay distracted from my own experiences while building something tangible and meaningful.

The Vision for Shovel and Brush

Shovel and Brush is my way of documenting my journey and as sort of a hobby journal. I want to have this site be a bit more than just a blog, eventually it will include:

• Showcasing Projects: Whether it’s painting my Death Korps of Krieg army, creating custom terrain, or chronicling the progress of narrative campaigns, this site will highlight my steps, successes, and lessons learned
• Offering Examples and Guides: I’m still extremely new to the hobby, but I’ve already learned a lot and want to detail what has worked for me by sharing painting techniques, terrain-building tips, and campaign setup advice
• Tracking Battles and Crusades: My gaming experience includes tabletop game design and narrative-driven campaigns. With current armies being built like the Death Guard, Deathwatch, and Death Korps of Krieg under my command. I’ll use this site to share battle reports, Crusade updates, and stories that bring these games to life.

Why It Matters

Hobbies like this aren’t just about the models on the table; they’re about building worlds, forging connections, and finding joy in the process. For me, it’s also about growth—as a painter, a player, and a person. Shovel and Brush is an invitation to share that journey with me, whether you’re a seasoned hobbyist or someone looking for a creative escape.

I hope this site can serve as a resource and an inspiration. Most importantly, I hope it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to find new passions and build something truly your own.

Thank you for visiting Shovel and Brush. I’m excited to share what comes next, starting with the first project I’ll be showcasing in my next post. Until then, happy painting, building, and gaming!