Jed Voltz Unveils New Contemporary Miniatures

Our own Badass Miniaturist Jedediah Corwyn Voltz (@Jed_Voltz), best known for his awesome miniature treehouse sculptures , shared photos and details of a new commission he recently finished for a client, a super awesome roombox in 1/24 scale with a modern/contemporary retro feel in his signature playful approach.

The self-contained environment is fully lit, sits on turned legs and features a whimsical brick fireplace with an extended chimney peeking through a pitched roof. A wrought iron hanging chandelier extends a calm glow throughout the piece and a display cabin is overflowing with decorative art in miniature. There is lots to see and lots to miss if you don't spend time looking at every element in this work.

The roombox and all of its contents were scratch built by the artist using various techniques. There are pieces which were hand turned on a lathe made of acrylic, vacuformed thermal plastic objects, minis sculpted with polymer clay and things twisted up made from wire and tape.

The back-lit built-in fish tank set in the wall and landscaped with plants and rock formations may just be my favorite part... maybe.

The brick fireplace is decorated with a number of tiny treasures including tiny sculptures, books, an orchids and a tic tac toe game. The decorative pattern of the fireplace screen works so beautifully well with the painted mirror and the carved curio cabinet.

Voltz 's incredible attention to detail extends to the outside of the piece which is decorated with a intricate mosaic design. A small paint brush for dusting hangs gently on the back panel which serves a dual purpose by hiding the electrical wire system.

More work by Voltz can be seen here.

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Until Next Time: #LiveYourBestMiniLife

The Joanna Fisher Dollhouse: Venetian Palazzo in Miniature

I was dazzled when I recently visited the Museum of Arts and Design at Columbus Circle in New York City to see their new exhibition The Fisher Dollhouse: A Venetian Palazzo. I’m grateful for MAD Museum for supporting the miniature arts with a presentation in small scale every few years or so. I immediately headed to the top floor gallery space to see the miniatures show!

I also had the opportunity to head back to the museum to meet Joanna Fisher for a livestream interview which you can watch the replay here:

The Fisher Dollhouse was created with a grand vision in mind by Ms. Joanna Fisher, an interior designer, patron of the arts and miniatures collector. Fisher’s childhood fascination with tiny things began when growing up in Westchester County (just north of New York City). She was inspired at an early age by a family friend who had decorative roomboxes filled with miniatures set up on walls throughout her home.

Caught up in the Covid-19 Pandemic crisis, Ms. Fisher, struggled like so many of us to ease anxieties and find comfort in the unpredictable world that engulfed the planet. Per a recent article for the New York Social Diary, she declared “…I suppose it’s the nature of the times in that people are looking for something safe and warm and cozy. It’s been a very special project for me which has taken on a life of its own, something I never expected. For me, the dollhouse was really my savior. It gave me tremendous solace. “

Fisher set out on an ambitious effort to curate a “House Within,” as she calls it, “… a place people can go in their minds…” Her vision was manifested in a stunning 4-story dollhouse with 10 rooms inspired by Palazzo Chupi, a grand private residence known for its wild color, modern art and stylish design located in New York’s Greenwich Village. Her first step was to create the structure by commissioning the British set designer Holly Jo Beck to build the front-opening dollhouse cabinet measuring over 5’ high and 14” deep.

The glamorous and colorful dollhouse is filled with an eclectic mix of European and American antique and contemporary 1/12th scale miniatures. Some pieces included were crafted by makers well-known to miniatures enthusiasts and include a Hepplewhite Desk by Bespaq, a Sonia Messer sink cabinet, silver by Pete Acquisto and metal pieces by Fred Cobbs. Most of the work was commissioned by Ms. Fisher by well-known full-size artists and friends, either reproductions of previous full-scale works or original works crafted specifically for the dollhouse. One can’t help compare Fisher as the modern version of Carrie Stettheimer who created The Stettheimer on permanent view at the Museum of the City of New York.

The dollhouse contains a dramatic center grand foyer accented by a double staircase and featuring a Murano-inspired glass chandelier made by Madrid-based artists Mario Ramos and Mariana Grande. The hierophant sitting atop a cast resin column crafted by Dustin Yeller takes center stage on the landing. Each of the rooms are beautifully decorated and appointed with swoon-worthy miniatures such as hand-blown colored glass lighting fixtures, carved framed painted portraits, hardwood cabinets, upholstered furniture with fine textiles, needlepoint carpets, furry rugs, vintage hammered copper and readable books. Some of the more extraordinary pieces comprise a lovely painted harpsichord, a display cabinet filled with ammonites from the Mesozoic age and a Milanese wood-fired stove.

The Fisher Dollhouse by Joanna Fisher is a wonderful example of original art, architecture and design in small scale with a fantastical mix of whimsy and charm with an added explosion of beguiling color coming together in dazzling perfection. There are plans to take this dollhouse exhibition “on the road” to additional museums in the United States and Europe. Check my website at www.dthomasfineminiatures.com for details on a special Meet the Miniaturist livestream event scheduled for a weekend early in August when viewers will be treated to a live virtual tour and a close up look at the dollhouse and exhibition by museum curators and a scheduled appearance by Joanna Fisher!

Photos by Jenna Bascom Courtesy of Museum of Arts and Design

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Let's Meet The Guild!

Catch the replay from my Meet the Miniaturist: The Guild Edition held on Sunday, May 23, 2021. IGMA is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the fine art of the miniature

We had a wonderful chat with the president of the Guild, Audrey Tripp and learned more about the early beginnings of the organization and why it's more important than ever to continue the mission to raise the level of awareness of this important art form.

We also talked with other leaders from the organization including Pete Boorum, and heard about the educational outreach and at-large programs followed by Barbara Davis, director of the famed Guild School who shared a short video presentation about this annual cannot-be-missed weekend for the miniatures community.

Pat Richards, Fellow of the Guild and former co-chair of the artisan/fellow selection committee talked about credentialing process and we finished the livestream with a chat with one of the original charter members, Sally Hoffman, who gave us the inside scoop about why she and others felt that they had to create this awesome organization!

This was super!

Thank you for all your support and encouragement for the Meet the Miniaturist series. There is no cost for this programming but If you like what you see and would like to contribute to the development of this ongoing series, follow this link: paypal.me/dthomasminiatures

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Until Next Time: #LiveYourBestMiniLife