What comes to mind when you think of miniatures?
Most people think of doll houses filled with miniature furniture and decor. The history of miniatures includes small carved ivory brooches in the 4th century and portrait miniatures of royalty in the 5th century. You can find miniature art on canvas and wood, as miniature sculptures, oil and watercolor paintings, mixed media, and more!
What is the fascination with miniature art?
When we view small-scale art, our brain reacts similarly to when we look at small animals. We perceive them as adorable and almost captivating. We are attracted to miniature art because of its size and because we get to experience the entire picture without stepping back. It's accessible and tangible. We find tiny handmade art pieces intriguing because we see real-world objects up close and personal.
Miniature art:
- Offers an alternative look at life.
- Makes ordinary things seem extraordinary.
- Offers a temporary escape to another world.
Why do I create miniature art?
I worked at a local art and History Museum, and in 2017, we got an Art-O-Mat machine! It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I was hooked!
Art-O-Mat transforms vintage cigarette machines by completely refurbishing the inside, turning them into art vending machines! after you insert your $5.00 bill you simply pull a lever, and out pops your two-inch by three-inch piece of miniature art, pottery, jewelry, and more. You can find Art-O-Mat machines around the world!
I started developing miniature art ideas almost immediately, and IN2018I submitted my first piece. With a folded fabric skirt, a paper bodice, and little bows on a 2” by 3” canvas, tiny dresses were born. As of this writing, I've made almost 1000 different tiny dresses. But it didn't stop there.
My next project was “Birds of Encouragement. “ With a fabric base, I add hand-cut birds, and an encouraging saying like “Dream Big,” and they're ready to go.
After that, I created miniature handmade note cards, also 2” x 3”, and envelopes known as “Petite Notes.” With a little inspiration from an online workshop, my next product was “Artful Cottages,” made from hand-torn and embellished paper.
In the last two years, I've completed and shipped 5,500 pieces of miniature art to Art-O-Mat. I've had emails from South America, Australia, Hawaii, Panama, and around the country from individuals who found my art in an Art-O-Mat machine. My favorite emails are the ones that include photos of my tiny treasures on display in their homes and offices.
Observations on miniature art:
- It’s still amazing for me to see how artists can make such powerful visual statements in such small places”. Kim Barnes – Miniature art judge
- “The degree of talent in the world of miniatures is extraordinary and undeniable. The range of artistic expression in such a small format left me awed and inspired”. Octavio Perez – Miniature art judge
Explore the beauty and attraction of miniature art! Become a collector by visiting www.artomat.org to find a location near you. You can also purchase your collectible pieces from https://lindabonnerstudios.com/collections/original-art.
Linda Bonner Studios is here to help individuals and businesses encourage, celebrate, and connect. My mission is to offer handcrafted cards and art uniquely designed to strengthen relationships and leave a lasting impression.