"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how" Friedrich Nietzsche
I'm in a bad mood today so I'm really glad I have miniatures. Mention just about anything and it will piss me off. Right now I am thinking about those dismissive people who think miniatures are toys for little girls. And right now I can see their eyes glaze over. Or roll. And right now I'd like to see their eyes rolling under my desk.
Simon Sinek says, "People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it."
I make miniatures (and sell them) because I get up in the morning and can't wait to get into my studio and create something. I love the creative process. I love designing a miniature and going bit by bit through the process taking the twists and turns until something that pleases me comes out. And thankfully my customers are pleased as well. I love taking a blah piece and transforming it into something beautiful and unique. I consider what I do making art. And miniatures are my medium.
Right now Halloween is on the way. So right now I am transforming my stash of commercial, yes, commercial, 1:12 scale chairs into something spooky in honor of the season. Which is by the way, one of my favorites.
So inspired by my favorite holiday and my love of creepy things I express myself through my art. How is that any different than any other more 'lofty' art? No different.
Am I expert at any of this? I am not. There are far better sculptors, far, far better upholstery geniuses and far better digital artists. Will you see my original one of a kind pieces coming and going? You will not. Am I having fun? You bet your ass.
I'm in a bad mood today so I'm really glad I have miniatures. Mention just about anything and it will piss me off. Right now I am thinking about those dismissive people who think miniatures are toys for little girls. And right now I can see their eyes glaze over. Or roll. And right now I'd like to see their eyes rolling under my desk.
Simon Sinek says, "People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it."
Right now Halloween is on the way. So right now I am transforming my stash of commercial, yes, commercial, 1:12 scale chairs into something spooky in honor of the season. Which is by the way, one of my favorites.
I am also discovering new abilities and improving on old ones in trying to wrangle fabrics to lay believably on the tiny chairs, unearthing new mediums for sculpting, improving my sculpting, and maneuvering images in my photo software into images that will work in 1:12 scale and give the impression of 'eerie'. I have yet to tackle Photoshop but its on my bucket list.
Am I expert at any of this? I am not. There are far better sculptors, far, far better upholstery geniuses and far better digital artists. Will you see my original one of a kind pieces coming and going? You will not. Am I having fun? You bet your ass.
This is art. It is MY art. And only one aspect of it. It is miniature and you can put it in a doll house. And you don't have to like it. But don't you dare turn your nose up.
So, what do you do and why do you do it? Do you think miniatures can be considered ART? Put your thoughts below.
Yes,I do think miniatures can be art! AND Nothing steams me like someone who is not a miniaturist that looks at it and says...Isn't that cute....or.... Well, If that is how SOME PEOPLE like to spend their money. On those little toys.Grrrrrrrrrr You almost have to show those people a photo and say this is not a RL room it is 1: 12 scale. I think that is the only way they could ever begin to start to get it.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your chairs!
Thanks. They are fun to make, for sure. And Catherine, your settings do look like real rooms.
DeleteI just wanted to say how wonderful your chairs are.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
DeleteHi there! I also get a bad mood, if I meet "those so dismissive people who think miniatures are toys for little girls"!! They really don't know what they are saying! Making miniatures requires a lot of craftsmanship, because you have to work with lots of different techniques and materials. Besides that, one is always learning due the process of making/development of miniatures and you'll definitely need a creative, inventive insight for doing it! Okay, said this ;)! Now let me tell you that your chairs are all awesome, but I especially like the one on the fourth picture, it is creepy and awesome in one!! I hope I've cheered you up a bit now ;)!?
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely and cheerful weekend, use your creativity and do what you want to do: make awesome (Halloween) miniatures, okay ;)?!
Kind regards, Ilona
Thanks, Ilona, yes, you have cheered me up.
DeleteAmen, Patricia!
ReplyDeleteYour work is enjoyed and admired by many of us excited, understanding and mini loving folk. Worry not on those whom have little education or love in creating small things, for some people loose imagination and kindness as they sour on this big old vine in life.
ReplyDeleteBe embraced by your very large community of wee folk. You are a wonderful artist and a powerful inspiration..and of course... your chairs are stunning pieces of art!
~J
Why, Jane, thank you so much for those lovely words. You made my day!
DeleteHello Patricia,
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning work! The chairs are so much fun and beautifully made. I think the reason I love miniatures so much is because it is a hobby where all forms of art meet. Painting, weaving, sewing, sculpting... Of course it is artwork. You really should not give in to people who see miniatures as art. Some people are extremely limited to begin with and thing art only hangs on walls or sits on a pedestal in a museum, secondly keep in mind you will never please anyone. I HATE impressionist art with a passion...however I am able to see the technical aspect of it and respect it as a style of painting...many people who do not like something will never consider it art and also many have a hard time differentiating doll house toys and collectible museum quality miniatures. To the Devil with them I say. Don't ever let anyone put you in a bad mood because they are to ignorant and closed minded to see the artistic value of miniatures! A quote from my favorite holiday...they should boil in their own pudding.
Big hug,
Giac
Thank you, Giac, for your very wise words. You are wise enough to appreciate Impressionist art as art even though you don't like it. People dismiss miniatures without even seeing them, in my experience. Very rude. Yes, they should be boiled in their own pudding.
ReplyDeleteBig HUGS!
Patricia, you create some wonderful miniatures, I do love the chairs.
ReplyDelete100% true art without any shadow of a doubt, very nice work indeed.
Tus sillas son arte, cada una en su estilo, me encantan, las miniaturas pueden ser juegos de niñas, pero a este nivel son arte como puede serlo un museo de pintura.
ReplyDeleteHay quien le encanta ir de museos y hay a quien le horroriza, lo importante es que a tí te guste y te divierta, debemos hacer cosas que nos den felicidad y si tu medio de vida es algo que te gusta lo harás divinamente.
Animo y sigue con tus obras, cunato más se practica, mejor sale.
Un abrazo
Maite
Tus sillas son arte, cada una en su estilo, me encantan, las miniaturas pueden ser juegos de niñas, pero a este nivel son arte como puede serlo un museo de pintura.
ReplyDeleteHay quien le encanta ir de museos y hay a quien le horroriza, lo importante es que a tí te guste y te divierta, debemos hacer cosas que nos den felicidad y si tu medio de vida es algo que te gusta lo harás divinamente.
Animo y sigue con tus obras, cunato más se practica, mejor sale.
Un abrazo
Maite
Thanks, Maite. Yes this is art and thank you for appreciating that miniatures are not just for little girls.
DeleteHugs back to you.
Patricia