Daily Mini Interview: Tiny Art Miniatures

Tiny Art Miniatures

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4What’s your earliest memory with miniatures?

When I was a child, I liked to watch stop motion puppet cartoons. Featured on the show were toy houses, food, and more. Everything was realistic, but a little bit smaller and cute. It was a magic little world.

How did you first get started making your own miniatures? How has your work evolved?

I like art and I tried different kinds of handmade art. I then came across amazing food miniatures by Shay Aaron. I was so impressed that I decided to make miniatures myself.

хлеб2My first miniature was a tiny loaf of bread. It was not perfect, of course. I had to work a great deal in order to achieve good results. I posted pictures of my minis on social networks and soon I received my first custom orders. So, I had the opportunity and drive to improve my skills.

What are your favorite miniatures to create and why?

The main theme of my miniatures is food. I like to create dishes which satiate the appetite even though they’re made out of plastic. I have many custom orders for doll’s food, and I joke that my job is to feed all dolls in the world!

What are the most challenging miniatures for you to create?

I like to make miniatures that I have never made before. It is always interesting to tackle new challenges. Usually, I work in 1:12 and 1:6 scales. Maybe in the future, I will make 1:144 scale miniature houses.3

What inspires you?

When my work brings joy to people, that inspires me so much. Also, beautiful photos of real food inspire me to recreate them in miniature. Miniatures by talented artists motivate me to work harder and to become a better miniaturist.

What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

It is the most beautifully made dollhouse in the world: Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. I read all about it and was very impressed. I would like to see it with my own eyes very much.

8Who are your favorite miniaturists?

I am delighted with miniatures by Tomo Tanaka of Nunu’s House. He creates very delicate and amazing artwork.

Why miniatures? What appeals to you most about what you do?

Making miniatures is like magic. It’s like you have a magic wand and turn big things into small works of art.

тортикиOther hobbies you enjoy? 

I like oil painting, drawing, different kinds of art, and more — it all depends on my mood. I recently created a mosaic outside my country house.

Advice for beginner artists and miniaturists?

My favorite proverb is: “where there is a will there is the way.” So if you like what you do, keep doing it in spite of everything. Do not stop learning. Evolve your skills and you will reach success.

Tiny Art Miniatures is made possible by Oksana Baranova, who is currently based in Ukraine, in the beautiful city of Kamianets-Podilskyi. Shop her Tiny Art Miniatures creations on Etsy and make sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram!

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The Miniature Exhibition Opens at Grunwald Gallery of Art

Miniaturists Unveil Top Works in The Miniature
Exhibition on View at Grunwald Gallery of Art, Indiana University
Friday, August 28 – Friday, October 3

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Proxy_HavenLn
Thomas Doyle, Proxy (Haven Ln.), 2013, mixed media

The Grunwald Gallery of Art at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana will kick off its fall exhibition series with The Miniature, an exhibition of miniature-themed work by ten renowned miniaturists and artisans. On view Friday, August 28 through Friday, October 3, this show will feature miniature work in a variety of media, exact miniature replicas of historical instruments or furniture, models, miniature worlds, and much more. Participating artists are Matthew AlbaneseNell CorkinAlthea CromeBlane de St. CroixThomas DoyleJoe Fig, Mark Murphy, William RobertsonLee-Ann Chellis Wessel, and Michael Yurkovic. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 12-4 PM.

Crome_Egypt1
Althea Crome, Ancient Egyptian Cardigan, 2005, silk thread

A great number of artists working in miniature today display a compulsive motivation and an obsessive attention to detail. These talented artisans must create and customize tools to suit their needs; indeed the process of designing and constructing these tools is often as inventive as the finished miniatures themselves.

In conjunction with The Miniature exhibition, the following events are free and open to the public:

Lecture by Joe Fig
Friday, August 28 at 5 PM in Fine Arts 102

Opening Reception
Friday, August 28 from 6-8 PM in Grunwald Gallery

Lecture by Thomas Doyle
Friday, September 4 at 5 PM in Fine Arts 102

Demonstration by William Robertson
Friday, September 11 at 12 PM in Grunwald Gallery

Demonstration by Althea Crome
Friday, September 11 at 12 PM in Grunwald Gallery

For more information and images, contact the Grunwald Gallery of Art at (812) 855-8490 or grunwald@indiana.edu. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, or visit the Grunwald Gallery website

Robertson_Install
Bill Robertson, Gold Microscope, 1998, 24k gold, wood, shagreen, Louis XV style microscope. Original in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
StCroix_Install
Blane de St. Croix, Two Ends, 2011, mixed materials, each 8’ x 2.5’ x 5.5′
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Joe Fig, Ross Bleckner, 2007, mixed media