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Welcome to my Miniature Portrait Gallery

Although I have been painting all my life, primarily portraits, I just discovered the delightful genre of miniatures about 4 years ago.

I use the traditional medium of watercolor and use Ivorine or Polymin for the base. These are Ivory substitutes that have been used for decades - since Ivory is no longer legal. I also render miniatures in silverpoint, which is drawn with a silver instrument, and which I made myself. It was the tool of choice from midievil times and much used by such Old Masters such as Durer and daVinci. It gives a fine line, is archival, smudge proof, and results in a delicateness that graphite doesn't quite afford.

Miniatures came into fashion in midievil times, pre-photography, as a means of providing the wealthy with a pocket-sized portrait of loved ones to carry with them  when traveling. The royalty had their court miniaturists - and King Henry Vlll and Elizabeth1 had many done over the years.

After the advent of photography, the art declined for some time but is enjoying a resurgence not only in England and France, but in the United States, Australia, Canada, etc., with Miniature Societies and shows worldwide. (Paintings are 'forever' while photos aren't and usually end up in drawers and eventually gone.)

The art of miniatures is not simply "painting small." It is a separate disipline altogether and a miniature can easily take as long as a larger painting. The minuteness and detail involved is painstaking work that cannot be hurried.

I welcome you and hope you enjoy my "Galleries."