The Frasier Project: Set in Miniature

Like many of us, Preston Poling, a miniaturist from Louisville KY, grew up watching television sitcoms and reruns. He particularly enjoyed shows that not only made him laugh, but also made him think; smart, engaging, often controversial programming which challenged social norms like All in the Family,Dharma & Greg and Frasier.

Frasier was the critically acclaimed sitcom that ran in the United States from 1993 to 2004 and earned multiple Emmy Awards including wins for Best Comedy Series 5 seasons in a row. The show is a spinoff of the wildly popular comedy, Cheers, that centers around Frasier Crane, (played by Kelsey Grammer), a psychiatrist and radio personality. He lives in an upscale Seattle apartment with his father, a disabled and retired police officer, Martin Crane (portrayed by John Mahoney). The plotlines hit themes like social class, wealth disparity and mental health. Preston, an avid fan of this ensemble sitcom, streams reruns of the series online; the show continues to entertain and inspire him.

Despite not having any formal art training and just some experience building models from kits as a teen, Poling set out in 2017 to recreate a 1/12 scale version of the contemporary stone fireplace from the Frasier apartment set. After several iterations, using floral foam and plaster of Paris, he was finally happy with the piece but remained unsatisfied. With the creation of the iconic fireplace under wraps, and his desire to work in small scale, Poling set his sights on recreating the entire Frasier set in miniature. He is scratch-building virtually everything including the framed paintings, statuary and eclectic furniture with a priority on accuracy and attention to detail.

One of the most challenging parts of the project is replicating the aged and worn reclining chair belonging to Martin Crane (an eyesore in Frasier’s opinion!). Poling wanted to ensure the scaling of the pattern and the texture of the unique fabric was as close to the studio prop as possible, and after an extensive search, he found the perfect material from a shop in Paris.

Last year, Preston formed The Frasier Project, a Facebook group dedicated to this project and to document his creative process. The group has since grown to become a place where members not only chat about the show but offer tips, helping with research and contributing to project developments. One enthusiastic group member gifted a replica of Eddie Crane, Martin’s beloved companion, a Jack Russel Terrier also adored by show fans. The Frasier Project group now boasts over 2,000 followers.

Frasier’s apartment is nearing completion and Poling has already started working on Café Nervosa, and the KACL-radio studio sets featured in the show. This keeps fans and followers engaged and keeps Poling busy working on miniatures! It has been reported that a reboot of the show is underway for 2022 and undoubtedly would include an update to the classic set décor from the original show’s run. Now this makes miniacs and Frasier fans alike wonder if there will be a mini reboot of a miniature version of the set by Poland Preston to follow.

Stay tuned!

Follow Prestin Poling on Instagram here or join the Frasier Project Facebook Group here.

---

Until Next Time: #LiveYourBestMiniLife

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.

---

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

###

---

Thank you for being a part of the D. Thomas Miniatures Community! Until Next Time: #LiveYourBestMiniLife