I wonder how many of you reading this know of the existence of a very unusual artistic medium. It’s officially called miniature art but is affectionately known as postage stamp art because it is painted on such a small-scale. It’s a unique approach to painting.  There are miniature art shows all around the country. Normally, this art is viewed best with a magnifying glass (see picture below) so you might want to use that feature on your computer if you want to see some more detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Florida Miniature Art Assoc.

My mother, who was very accomplished artist in many fields, took up this medium later in her life. Her work was displayed at several of the art shows mentioned above. She passed away about 3 years ago but left her family a gift that will be passed down for generations. I am dedicating this blog to her and her wonderful talent. I marvel at these each time I view them.

In order for you to appreciate the small size of these paintings, I have placed a measuring tape or coin next to them for the effect. I still remember her sitting at her easel with her paint brush with just one bristle and the large magnifying glass extended from a mechanical arm that was fastened to the easel. These were oil on canvas paintings so it was painstaking work. I hope you enjoy them. Click on them to see a larger version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above is the smallest one she ever did. Just over 1 inch painting surface.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one on the left is me at 5 years old.  On the right is my son at 1 1/2 years old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upper left,  a Florida horse farm.Below it, the childhood home of Jacqueline Kennedy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing detail on both of these above

On the right is her mother (my grandmother) at age 11. On the left she is 81 years old. The picture on the right won 1st place at one of the shows.

As you might have guessed, all of these paintings were done from photographs. By way of comparison, I have displayed a few with the actual photograph on the right.

1. Me on a walk with the dogs.    Notice anything unusual about this?

2. My step-father’s father taken as a boy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. My daughter at 13 with her cat

4. My mother’s self-portrait from a picture of her at 4 years old.

Below is a picture of the artist herself, Elizabeth F. Lewis, during her “postage stamp art” heyday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She also did portraits of each of us including our granddaughters that will be family heirlooms for future generations. Unfortunately, her talent skipped over me but it may yet emerge again with an unsuspecting offspring.

I hope so.