Miniatures by Devin Smith of Awesome, Thanks
What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?
As a child, I recall building little cities and places for my toys. One that I specifically remember making was of my Dad. I made the building that he worked at out of LEGOs and random pieces, with him working inside. The parking lot was simply a piece of paper that I had drawn on with markers and a toy matchbox car that look similar to his real one.
Another miniature that I made at a very, very young age was (to my best guess) a miniature golf course. Made out of a piece of plywood colored with green marker, a piece of wood stuck to it, a rubber band and some nails for obstacles. I have a picture of my lovely artwork to look back on courtesy of my parents.
How did you first get started making miniatures?
The first real miniature I made was back in 2013 for a T-shirt factory that I worked for during the summer while I was not at school. On my last day of the summer, I grabbed a cardboard box from my work, went home and started to construct a miniature version of the T-shirt factory itself. I would work on the project every day after school when I would come home, making it out of paper, paints, popsicle sticks, buttons, beads, felt, so pretty much anything I could find lying around the house. Five months later… it was finished and I had the opportunity to go back to my work and give it to everyone there as a Christmas present. They all loved it; it sits there today in the front showroom for every customer to come in and enjoy.
What is your favorite type of miniature to make?
I enjoy making something that I have created in my own mind. Something that isn’t completely real, but it could be. I like those kinds of miniatures because as I go along, I can add whatever my imagination feels fits in that particular scene. I don’t have to play by the books, the miniature can be whatever I want it to be and that’s my favorite way.
What is the most challenging miniature to make?
The most challenging miniature to make is creating something that exists in the real world. Like a monument, or storefront, or a place that has specific details to be recreated. I find this difficult, because everything you make has to match the real version to the T. There isn’t the most room for creative freedom, you can’t just add anything you want. But when you finish a project and it turns out almost identical to the real thing, there is a certain euphoric feeling to it.
Favorite miniaturists?
I am a huge fan of the works by Damien Webb, Ryan Monahan, and Steve Casino. Keep up the amazing work, guys!
Favorite artists or designers?
Hoang Tran, I love his crayon carvings, they’re incredible! I am as well a big fan of JackoftheDust, his stylized skulls are great! Last, but certainly not least, Bob Ross. I love how his paintings start off looking like nothing, and then with one brush stroke it all starts to come together. He has shown me that it is true, “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” That is why when I’m creating a miniature and something doesn’t go the way I planned, to just work with what I’ve got and keep on creating. And when it’s all said and done, the “Happy Accident” turns out better than the original idea could have ever in the first place.
What inspires you?
Life. My family, friends, my fiancée, my kitten, TV, movies, comics, food, nature. Pretty much anything and everything that life has to offer.
Why miniatures?
I prefer miniatures because you can never make too many. You can make one incredible giant thing and take up an entire room, or you can make thousands of tiny things. Miniatures can be great for designing things, such as sets, or landmarks/monuments, before building the real thing. It is better to plan out something before actually doing it on a bigger scale, and with miniatures that is possible.
Another reason I enjoy them so much is because, if I wanted to, I could make the entire world, and it would fit right in the palm of my hand. I find that so incredible.
What’s to come from Devin Smith?
Currently, I am creating a miniature replica of the “T-Bird Country” bridge from the town that I grew up in. Recently they tore down the old bridge to replace it with a new one, that’s why I decided to do this project, I thought it deserved to be commemorated in the perfect way… in miniature! Something that I have planned to work on in the near future is a miniature model version of the storefront from the animated TV show Bob’s Burgers. Which is one of my favorite TV shows. Besides that, you’ll just have to check in frequently to find out!
Words you live by?
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” —Abraham Lincoln
Favorite quote about miniatures?
“You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.”—Alvin Toffler
Other hobbies you enjoy?
That is a tough question. Activities that I enjoy include Hacky Sack, juggling, frisbee, unicycling, juggling devil sticks, hiking, camping, swimming, sailing, picture taking, watching TV and movies, drawing and the list goes on and on. If there’s something out there to be done, I’m going to do it.
What do you want miniature fans to know about you?
As much as I love creating things for myself, I love to create things for others even more! I am always open to anyone that would like something made. I would also like to give a big “Awesome, thanks” to everyone that has helped and supported me in my miniature makings. I am fairly new to the whole miniature community and am super grateful for everyone that has given me a chance in this artistic field.
Awesome, Thanks was created by Devin Smith who’s based in Wisconsin. To enjoy recent miniatures and works in progress, check out Awesome, Thanks on Instagram and Facebook.
