Blog

For my first blog of the year, (I know, it’s February already!) I’m going to talk about miniature painting, since this genre has been a major focus of my work for many years. I’ve learned quite a lot about painting while working in the miniature format, and I still enjoy the challenge of settling in and working in tight detail with a magnifying glass in hand.

One of my first miniature paintings “Buttercups & Clover” won 1^st Place in Traditional Animals, Del Bello Gallery, Toronto, 1989

The first miniature art show I attended was held in Toronto and presented by the Del Bello Gallery way back in 1987. This was an international exhibition and I was astounded by the sheer diversity of the work. It totally inspired me, and I couldn’t wait to try my hand at painting my regular animal and nature subjects in a miniature format.

Another early work, "Last Light" 3" x 4" acrylic on hardboard. All of my work, miniature or not, comes from my own experiences. Walking in nature is a fundamental part of my process.

Once I began painting miniatures, I was hooked. Initially, I worked on 3” x 4” gessoed hardboard panels with acrylic paints, approaching the work in much the same manner as my regular sized acrylic paintings, except, of course, much smaller! Being a newbie, I believed that a miniature painting couldn’t possibly take as much time as a larger work, but through the years, I’ve come to realize that the painstaking detail does not allow for any shortcuts. I have spent well over 50 hours on a miniature painting! I think the appeal is in the intimacy of such a small space; you're creating an entire world small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

"Spring Memories at the Beaver Pond"

This little painting has won a number of awards at miniature exhibitions. Acrylic on 2 1/2" x 4" claybord panel. I use the now defunct Canadian penny for scale, with a nod to my homeland.

Throughout the years, I’ve made minor adjustments to my set-up. Currently, my go-to medium for minis is Liquitex soft body acrylics on Ampersand claybord panels; my detail brushes are Princeton 20/0 spotters and very small synthetic rounds – once the brush loses its point, it’s pretty much outlived its use. I have also used flats to cover larger areas, and for various effects I’ve employed sponges, toothbrushes and my fingers. Usually these methods are in the beginning stages of the work; as I proceed, I tend to work more detailed with the teeny little Princeton brush. Once it’s finished and given a couple of days to dry, I apply several coats of gloss varnish.

"Maryland Polo" 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" acrylic on claybord panel. This painting won an Award of Excellence at the World Federation of Miniaturists, South Africa 2016.

The work might be small scale, but no matter what the subject or style, it must hold up as a work of fine art, incorporating all the elements of any good drawing, painting or sculpture. I've had the honour of judging a couple of miniature art exhibitions, including the Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS) in 2016. After that remarkable experience, I wrote this in the catalogue: "I can only say that I did my utmost to study each piece, weighing concept, composition, power, the use of color and values, drawing and painting abilities, media handling, and the intricacies of miniature painting." That pretty much sums up the high standards that a miniature painting attempts to attain. Fortunately, most exhibitions provide magnifying glasses, enabling you to fully appreciate the work.

"Faces of the Hunt" 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" acrylic on claybord panel. This painting is in the Miniature Artists of America's Permanent Collection.

 Guidelines might change according to each miniature exhibition and venue, but generally a true 2D miniature should have a maximum size of 25 square inches (i.e., no larger than 5” x 5” or 4" x 6") and follow the 1/6^th rule – meaning that the subject matter must not be portrayed larger than 1/6^th of their actual size. In some cases, like insects or very small subjects, they would be eligible if it’s in the “spirit of a miniature”.  For example, a bee on a flower painted close to life size would be considered a true miniature, while a life-sized painting of a horse’s eye would not.

It's not often that I win two awards in one show - this was a first for me!

Throughout the year, there are several miniature art shows that I participate in, mostly on the national level. This spring, I’ll have my work at The Snow Goose Gallery in PA, the Parklane Gallery in WA, and I’m looking forward to May when I will once again jury the Seaside Art Gallery’s Annual Miniature Exhibition in NC. At the time of this writing, the Miniature Art Society of Florida is wrapping up their 45^th Annual International Miniature Art Show this weekend at the Dunedin Fine Art Center in Florida (January 19^th – February 9^th, 2020).

Five of my six framed entries in this year's MASF show in Florida - "The Pensive One" (lynx kitten) won 1st in Acrylic.

If you’ve never been to a miniature art show – and there are quite a few, worldwide – then please, go! You’re in for a real treat!

Ps... if you would like more information on miniature art/artists, please see The International Community of Miniature Art.  I'm one of the Artists in Focus; you can see more of my work here.

***