Daily Mini Interview: Miniatures by Genziana Bellè

Miniatures by Genziana Bellè

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How did you first get started in miniatures?

swan and flowersI discovered miniatures in the late eighties when I was traveling in the States. Miniatures were fairly unknown in Italy at that time. When I came back home, I tried to make something on my own.

How has your work evolved over the years?

I have been making miniatures for over 25 years. I began making petit point works on silk gauze, as well as wicker baskets and miniature flowers. Now, I have almost completely given up embroidery, but I keep on creating baskets and flowers in 1:12 and 1:48 scale.

What materials do you use to make your miniatures?

I use silk gauze, silk or cotton thread for the petit point; linen thread and paper-covered wire to make my miniature baskets; different kinds of paper and paper-covered wire to make flowers.Lavender

Advice for beginner miniaturists?

My advice is to take inspiration from the real world, not from miniatures already made by other artists. You will need patience, the desire to learn techniques used in 1:1 scale in order to adapt these skills for miniature making. You’ll also need the courage to throw away and remake your miniatures until you have achieved your desired level of proficiency.

wicker basket quarter scaleTool you can’t live without?

I can’t live without very good lighting, a magnifying glass, my fine tweezers for watchmakers, and only the best quality materials.

Favorite miniature you own by another artist?

My favorite  works are 1:12 furniture miniatures that my father made for me.

What inspires you?

I love books about embroidery, baskets, antiquing, and furnishing. I also take inspiration from the real world in order to achieve miniatures that reflect my personality.

wicker basket with hydrangeaWhat is the most memorable miniature you have seen by another artist?

The most memorable to me is not a single miniature but the exhibition of Mrs. Ingeborg Riesser‘s miniature collection that I saw in Paris in 1994.

Why miniatures? 

I like miniatures because making smaller items is a challenge, and also because the smaller size allows me to collect items that I couldn’t keep at home… they don’t take up much space!

Upcoming  miniatures in the works?

At the moment, I’m working on new baskets inspired from real ones, as always, and some new flowers. I’ll also be attending the Simp Miniature Show in Paris to check out work by other artisans.wicker bottles

Other activities you enjoy?

I love to travel and observe the world around me. I also enjoy 1:1 scale embroidery very much.

Genziana Bellè lives in Italy. To see more of her lovely work in miniature, head on over to Facebook.

 

wicker store quarter scale

 

 

Daily Mini Interview: Salavat Fidai Art

Miniatures by Salavat Fidai Art

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How and why did you first get started in pencil lead sculptures?

IMG_2318-HDSix months ago, I began to carve pencils after I was inspired by the work of Dalton Ghetti from the States. I had no experience before early 2015. Now, I really enjoy creating tiny sculptures on pencils. Mostly I’ve been sculpting heroes and cartoon characters.

Describe your process and inspiration.

The concept for my paintings or sculptures starts to take form while I’m asleep. The next day, I look for photos and video material, and then I make sketches or layouts. When I work with oil on canvas, it’s more emotional and expressive. If I paint acrylic on seeds, it’s hard work and more detail oriented. When I carve sculptures from pencils, it’s much more meditative.IMG_2972-2

I do a lot of reading, and go to other artists’ exhibitions. Sometimes it’s my dreams, sometimes it is the artwork of other artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh. I am inspired by music. I get most of my paintings done late at night when my family is asleep. I’m a total night owl. I find myself more productive and it’s much easier to focus at night.

Did you ever make miniatures in another medium?

Previously, I made sculptures out of wood and stone, but these were of normal size. I also create miniatures on seeds and matchbooks.

IMG_2787-HDWhat has been the most difficult miniature sculpture to carve?

I tried Darth Vader seven times. Some Vader heads broke during the carving. It took so many tries to achieve a final product I liked, and now I love it!IMG_2327-HD

Favorite artists?

Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.


What inspires you?

Good movies, books by contemporary authors, Marvel and DC comics, Pixar Animation Studios, and more great artwork.

Most treasured pencil tip sculpture you’ve created?

IMG_2528-hdWALL-E and the PPSH-41 gun.

What tools do you use to make your sculptures?

Small, sharp craft knifes and a magnifying glass.

Tool you can’t live without?

Maybe my craft knife or my favorite brush, Kolinsky Sable number 0. I experiment with different tools, but I think I would be happy creating art out of anything.

Upcoming exhibitions planned?IMG_2462-HD

Yes, of course. Big exhibitions in China and Italy.

New sculptures you’d like to mention?

It’s a secret. All I will say is “large sculptures and installations.”

What other activities do you enjoy?

IMG_2963-2Spending time with my family: going to the cinema, walking, and hiking.

Advice for beginner artists?

Do not be afraid to experiment with new materials. View more work by other artists and learn from them.

Salavat hails from Ufa in Russia. For more of his incredible micro-mini sculptures, visit his website, shop on Etsy, check out Instagram, Facebook or Behance.

 

IMG_2456-HD

Feel Big Live Small Exhibition at apexart

Feel Big Live Small
organized by Elan Smithee
with an essay by Rachel Nuwer
on view at apexart
now through Saturday, May 17
291 Church Street, New York, NY

A little (mini) excerpt from the press release:

Dioramas and miniatures are used in the field of architecture to preview a vision, in cinema to create a fabricated world, and in workshops as a means for children to process traumatic events. 

Feel Big Live Small explores dioramas and miniatures as well as our fascination with all things small, both as a technical feat and a psychological relationship.

Kendal Murray, Family Style, Smile, 2012; Kendal Murray, Esteem, Dream, 2012; Serial Cut, Office Case, 2011; Serial Cut, HSBC, 2015.
Kendal Murray, Family Style, Smile, 2012; Kendal Murray, Esteem, Dream, 2012; Serial Cut, Office Case, 2011; Serial Cut, HSBC, 2015.

Featuring work by:

Matthew Albanese
Alice Bartlett
Dante Brebner
Citizen Brick
Thomas Doyle
Joe Fig
Idan Levin
Kendal Murray
Lori Nix & Kathleen Gerber
Serial Cut
Tracey Snelling
Daisy Tainton

Check out many (mini) more installation images via apexart.

Tracey Snelling, The Parade Ends, 2012, wood, paint, charcoal, lights, LCD screen, media player, speaker, transformer, 24 x 24 inches; Tracey Snelling, Bad Girl, 2012, Wood, paint, lights, electroluminescent wire, LCD screens, media players, speakers, transformer, 24 x 24 inches.

A little mania for the mini

Least understood by the masses is my preoccupation with all things miniature. Have a little look around to see the big picture.

In hopes of spreading the good word about a great mini, I launched @dailymini on Instagram in the winter of 2012.

The brand has since been met with great enthusiasm and delight by fellow miniacs. I’m fortunate enough to feature a new miniature each day and am thrilled to share my beloved minis with an international audience. I’m most of all humbled by the community’s response and the amazing range of mini submissions received on a daily basis.

This curated digital space is a tribute to the mini collection that started it all. The Daily Miniature is not only a portable source of miniatures, but a permanent (per·mini·nt) one.

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