Mixed Media Miniatures

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times—collecting and creating miniatures is SO much more than just a hobby—it is truly a unique form of art. Thus, like any art form, new styles and techniques evolve within the genre all the time. As always, we at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures do our best to keep up with all of the trends and cutting edge techniques so that we can keep you in the loop.

In keeping with this idea, we recently held a workshop on up and coming trend of mixed media miniatures, which focuses on collecting miniatures and arranging them for display in a three dimensional “scrapbook” style piece. This technique allows the collector a way both to create a decorative collage style piece, but also a vehicle with which to organize and show off the best of their miniature collection. Additionally, the “scrapbox,” as they are sometimes called, becomes a decorative piece to display in one’s home.

The idea of displaying pieces in a shadow box is actually quite an old one. Traditionally, sailors retiring from the military would keep their naval badges, flags and military medals in shadowboxes that were later placed on display in their homes. Eventually, artists began to create shadowboxes for non-military homes. During the Colonial and Victorian eras, when miniatures became popular, shadowboxes began to be used to display prized miniature pieces.

Today’s mixed media miniature pieces draw upon these traditions but are uniquely modern. One of the foremost scrapbox artists from whom many draw inspiration is Joseph Cornell. Cornell’s boxes primarily feature unique found objects from a number of sources including thrift stores; garage sales and even just things found lying on the ground. If you’re seeking inspiration, you can check out his stylishly eclectic website here.

The art form has become so popular in recent years, that the LA Times did a featured piece on a collection of scrapboxes that recount important figures and events in American history. The article and fascinating accompanying slide show can be found at the Times’ website.

Though the inagural scrapboxing workshop has unfortunately passed, don’t worry—you don’t have to miss out on the fun. D. Thomas is holding another workshop on October 15th. It will be hosted by expert scrapboxer, Heidi Bound, and will have a Fall/Halloween theme.

Oh, and of course you can always check out the pictures from the last workshop on our website and on our Instagram page. (and while you’re there, be sure to follow us!).

Miniature Museums pt. 2: The Art Institute of Chicago

Ahh…Its finally August, which means you’ve probably got some time off. This would be the perfect time to have a picnic, go to the beach, or visit an amusement park—if it weren’t so terribly HOT outside!

Better to save the outdoors for Labor Day when the weather is (hopefully) a bit more cooperative and make your way to the air-conditioned halls of a museum instead. We suggest the Thorne Miniature Rooms Collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, which is both the second featured destination in our Miniatures Museum Series and one of the oldest, largest and most well-known miniatures exhibits in the world.

The Thorne rooms are named for their creator, the renowned miniature artisan, Narcissa Niblack Thorne. The story of how Thorne was initially introduced to miniatures is somewhat unclear—one of the more popular theories suggests that Thorne began to collect miniature pieces during her travels to Europe and Asia in her early adult life.

Another theory proposes that her interest was first fostered during childhood by an uncle, a Naval Rear Admiral, who was said to have sent her miniature pieces from around the world.

Though neither of these stories has been officially confirmed, what is clear is that by the early 1930s Thorne had begun to receive much notoriety for her roomboxes and shadowboxes, which started to appear in museums and galleries around the world.

Approximately 100 Thorne rooms are known to exist. The painstakingly detailed, 1:12 scaled rooms replicate the interiors of upper-middle class homes from years ranging from the late 13th century until the 1940s. While many of the rooms replicate designs popular in England, France and the US, a few of the rooms are reflective of her travels in other parts of the world.

Despite the popularity of her work, Thorne never received any payment for the pieces, and donated them to museums and charity in her later years. In 1954, the majority of these works (68 of them to be exact) were put into a permanent, large gallery in the Art Institute of Chicago, where they can still be seen today. The gallery encompasses the entirety of the first floor of the museum and continues to be one of the most popular exhibits in the museum, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

The Art Institute of Chicago is located at 111 S. Michigan Ave. and is open to the public daily from 10:30am – 5:00 pm. Additionally, the museum stays open until 8pm on Thursdays, and admission is free for Illinois residents between 5 and 8pm. Check out the museum’s website for more information.

And if you really just CAN’T make it to Chicago? Well, the museum does offer an online tour of part of the collection on their website—you can check it out here—but be forewarned that there’s no true substitute for the real thing!

Celebrity Miniaturists

Apart from all of the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, celebrities are pretty much just regular people--so it makes sense that celebrities would have interests and hobbies, just like the rest of us.

If you follow this blog, then you already know how much we at D. Thomas Fine Minaitures love everything miniature, so we were, of course, just dying to know which of our favorite celebrities share this passion.

Now, we all know, celebrities can be a bit elusive when it comes to their personal lives, but after a bit of digging, we were able to find a few celebrities who have a love for all things small.

MINDY KALING

The multitalented Mindy Kaling is mostly known for her witty humor and for being the creator, writer, producer and star of the hit TV show, the Mindy Project. But, did you know that Kaling is also an avid miniature collector?

In an interview with Parade Magazine back in 2013, Kaling opened up her home for a tour, during which she briefly discussed her miniatures collection.

ANNA FARIS/CHELSEA HANDLER

Back in March of 2011, Anna Faris appeared as a guest on the now canceled late-night talkshow Chelsea Lately. During the show, Faris opened up to host Chelsea Handler about her love for miniatures. Faris is, in her own words, “crazy about miniatures” and apparently enjoys recreating crime scenes in miniature. During the interview, Handler admitted that she too enjoys collecting miniatures, but didn’t give any further details on her involvement in the craft.

ROD STEWART

Singer-songwriter Rod Stewart is primarily known for his raspy voice and chart topping rock hits. But few of Stewart’s fans know of his beloved collection of model trains.

Stewart is such an avid collector that almost the entirety of the third floor of his home is dedicated to a replica scene of a vintage Manhattan rail yard. Stewart has been working on this scene, which includes, buildings, people, signs and cars, in addition to the trains themselves, for over a decade. The artist has been collecting and creating miniatures for almost 30 years.

REBECCA ROMIJN

Best known for her role as Mystique in the XMen film series, it turns out that Rebecca Romijn is not only tallented and stunning, but is a passionate miniaturist as well! The model and actress personally confirmed her involvement in the world of miniatures with D. Thomas Fine Miniatures via Tweet earlier this year!

RUMORED CELEBRITY MINIATURISTS

Kirstie Alley: The internet is awash with rumors of the actress’ love for creating dollhouse miniatures, and one of her dollhouses appears to have been briefly mentioned during an episode of the Oprah Winfrey show featuring Alley.

Joan Rivers: the late, great comedienne Joan Rivers is also heavily rumored by the Internet to have been a lover of miniatures. A number of people claim to have spotted Rivers shopping in miniature shops over the years—though Rivers never publically admitted to being a collector.

Ben Affleck: A picture of Ben Affleck working on a dollhouse has been circulating the Internet for a few years now. Though it is unclear whether he is a collector, or if he was working on the house for another reason (Maybe an upcoming film? A present for his daughter?), we sure do hope that miniatures are on the list of this busy actor’s many, many hobbies.