Artist Feature - Cam

Artist Feature: Cam’s Journey From Kitchen to Killzone

By day, Cameron L. commands the chaos of a commercial kitchen—plating dishes with the precision and creativity of a seasoned chef. But when the last plate is served and the burners cool, he trades in his apron for a wet palette, turning his focus to something equally intense: painting Warhammer 40K miniatures.

Cam’s first steps into the hobby weren’t through plastic kits, but pixels. Dawn of War II introduced him to the universe of 40K back in 2010, but the obsession really took hold when a friend gifted him a Kharne the Betrayer miniature. “That model was just so fun to paint—it locked me in immediately.”

His favorite part of the lore? “When Kharne beats the ever-living f*ck out of Erebus.” That brutal moment sealed his loyalty to the World Eaters—a faction as intense as the chef behind the brush.

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A brutal and fast-moving centerpiece—Cam’s take on Lord Invocatus showcases jagged armor, deep reds, and the raw energy of Khorne.

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From Line Cook to Line Trooper

Painting isn’t just a pastime for Cam—it’s therapy. After hours in the pressure cooker of a professional kitchen, the hobby helps him decompress. “It helps me relax after a long day and lets me be creative outside the kitchen,” he says.

His workspace is humble but cleverly optimized: a two-tier IKEA “gamer” desk, a modular lamp, a spice rack from Hobby Lobby turned paint shelf, and a rolling cart stacked with tools. And his favorite tools? A wet palette, makeup sponges for dry brushing, nail files for cleanup, and plating tweezers—the same ones he uses for delicate garnishes—now placing tiny model bits.

It’s the perfect mix of kitchen ingenuity and hobbyist improvisation.

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The model that started it all. Cam’s version of Khârn captures the ferocity and madness that defines the World Eaters’ infamous champion.

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Blood, Grime, and Going with the Flow

Cam doesn’t plan his projects down to the last detail. Instead, he embraces instinct and spontaneity. “Spur of the moment decisions help me stay creative,” he says.

His painting style is gritty, chaotic, and raw—lots of reds in shadow, dark grime, and blood. It’s storytelling through mood and mess. He’s not here for clean, sterile lines—he’s here to make models that feel alive and look like they’ve survived hell.

His sessions are often powered by high-energy soundscapes—everything from deathcore to trance. While painting, he might have MajorKill or Mr. Bones playing in the background—or even RuPaul’s Drag Race. “I just need some noise,” he laughs. “Keeps the energy up.”

A personal favorite on the playlist? The Poetic Edda EP by Syntensia and Disembodied Tyrant.

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One of Cam’s proudest builds—a fully magnetized Karnivore War Dog. “I thought I was going to ruin the model. But it worked.”

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Chef Tactics and Miniature Mayhem

One of Cam’s proudest moments was magnetizing that Karnivore. “I was a nervous wreck—I thought I was going to ruin the model. But it worked.” That gamble gave him the confidence to keep pushing boundaries and trying new techniques.

Another cornerstone of Cam’s style? Breaking the rules. “If a part moves but looks cooler glued—then it gets glued. I don’t care about seeing a 5mm gap in armor just to show it off.”

He’s not chasing competition trophies—he’s chasing vibes.

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Keeping It Real in the Hobby Scene

Cam has learned a lot from the online hobby community, but he’s also experienced its rough edges. “Less elitism,” he says, “especially from the crusty neckbeards at the LGS.” That’s why he shares what he’s learned—some of it from experience, some of it, he says, thanks to tips from SomSol Studios.

His biggest advice for newcomers? “Get a wet palette.” Not just because it’s practical—but because, in Cam’s words:

> “You won’t have to go into the game shop as much and smell the sweaty unwashed turbo nerds playing MTG.”

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On the Horizon

Looking ahead, Cam has his eyes set on something big: painting a pre-Heresy version of Angron, surrounded by an army of unfallen World Eaters in their original white and red color scheme. “That would be sick,” he says.

Until then, you’ll find him balancing two types of plating—gourmet cuisine by day, grimdark chaos by night. Whether he’s behind the stove or behind a brush, one thing’s for sure: Cam creates with precision, passion, and just the right amount of madness.

Follow Cam on Instagram: @cookingwithKhorne

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A monstrous vision of rage and wrath—Cam’s Angron towers with golden armor, black wings, and brutal detail.