Teeny, Tiny, Little Miniature Things!

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been working on several new pieces for some upcoming miniature art shows. Miniature art shows have a few requirements regarding artwork size.

The main rule is that the subject must measure one-sixth scale of the actual size. Most often, the image size cannot be any larger than 24 square inches. The outside frame measurements can’t exceed 48 square inches, which is a 6-inch by 8-inch frame. Generally, sculptures should be less than 6 inches in height.

Because of these requirements, I’ve been making a large variety of teeny, tiny, little miniature things as I am working on my next round of miniature art shows. I thought you might like to get a glimpse into some of these teeny, tiny, little miniature things.

Oh, and one other thing, just in case you are wondering, these items do seem to take even longer to make because they are so small. I often need to make a bunch of different, individual parts that will eventually go into the final art piece. Sometimes I make them several times until I get it small enough or until it looks just right.

Here we go. Click through the gallery to see al 12 photos!

Can you tell which items mentioned above were used in the following paper sculpture piece? This piece is titled, “Can You Find My Four-Leaf Clover?”

Reflecting on My Art Studio, Old and New

Each studio I’ve had over the years has been a very different space. They’ve all had their own unique features and characteristics as well as something I really liked. This is even true about my first studio, which was in an old apartment building. One day, my studio got rained on after the water pipes froze and burst in the unit on the third floor above me.

I am already loving my latest studio because I have a beautiful country view outside my window, which will be bigger and brighter after the new window is installed. Another thing I like is that the building is set back from the road, making it feel private and peaceful.

I also appreciate that my new studio has a door and is a separate room from the rest of the house. I can close the door to signal that my office is now closed. It gives me a sense of separation between work and life. And sometimes, it is just nice to know I can close that door and not have anyone, including me, catch a glimpse at my sometimes-messy desk.

Because I am still in the process of renovating the new studio, I have lots of boxes that are still packed up. This can be a little frustrating, but I know I will be thankful when my dedicated art studio space is ready.

When work really gets started on my window, I will need to move out to the dining room table for a while. I am hoping by then to have my newest miniature art pieces completed, since it will be much more difficult to do miniature art at the table. I need a lot of bright light for those!

Why I Wanted to Be an Artist

Somehow I feel I have lots and lots of ideas as to what I’d like to make and do with my art. But I struggle when it is time to write a blog. Once in awhile I may feel inspired and can think of what to write about. But more often than not, I end up asking others (my daughter), “What should I blog about?”

One of the topics she suggested was writing about why I wanted to be an artist. That’s a good question. 

I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Being an artist is who I am. It is something that I have to do — it brings me so much joy and peace when I am creating and making something. But it is also something deeper than that. I want to share my love of art with others.

My biggest hope is that through my art, I will give someone else some happiness and joy in their life too. There’s nothing that feels better than when I hear a child exclaim, “Wow, that’s so cool!” Or when someone is so fascinated by a final piece that they want to know how I created it. Or when I can see how much someone loves owning one of my pieces.

I’ve always had that need to create and make something. And I was also brought up in a family that encouraged all of us to be creative. There were a lot of art and craft projects going on as I grew up — every birthday and holiday was an excuse to get out the construction paper, markers and crayons, sequins, and whatever else was in the box of crafts.

My mom never minded the messy little scraps of paper or dried noodles that might have gone flying off the table onto the floor. I approached creative projects the same way my children: create, glue, paste, draw, build, experiment and we will clean it up when we are done. My kids also had the best stories to go along with their pictures.

Even if I wasn’t brought up in a house that was gluing felt and rick rack to my grandmother’s birthday card, I am still positive I would still be an artist. But perhaps those fond memories of crafting at the kitchen table is one reason why I also love to illustrate for children’s publications and add an element of surprise to everything I create.