Miniatures (tiny models, "little worlds", "dollhouses")

GaleriaGila

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Is anybody into miniatures?

Many of y'all know I'm a portrait and ethnic artist, but I also dabble in hand-making miniatures. I'm currently constructing "Gail Town" (oh, the EGO!), not just as a modeling hobby, but as a mental health and mindfulness venture. I'm making little structures that have personal meaning for me, and making meditational use of them in daily life.

I'm really enjoying it!

If you'd like to have a look-see, here ya go...

https://miniaturesandmindfulness.blogspot.com/

I recommend the idea, in fact, if you have the inclination. You can make everything yourself or buy stuff from dollhouse merchants... it's the 'mindfulness' that counts!
 

Inger

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Those are wonderful! I love this idea. I get similar results from other hands on crafting, most notably knitting and crocheting. It’s amazing what a difference it makes in my day-to-day life.


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bill_e

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Very nice work. My eye's are no longer allow me to easily do such small, precision work.
 
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GaleriaGila

GaleriaGila

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Inger... YEAH! There's the therapeutic aspect of DOING it, and then there's the therapeutic aspect of THINKING/PLANNING. I have passed more than one tedious gathering/meeting while contemplating how to make a tiny thing or two out of this or that!

Bill... recent lens transplants have beefed up my acuity! I have to take all kinds of steps to brace and steady my hands, but... I make it work. Fortunately, my creations are "primitive" in style, not "precision"!

I'm working on a teensy-weensy Rickeybird to perch someplace in my little town... he will of course be gloriously silent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, the benefits of a tiny world under MY control!
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Incredible, Gail!! I love your work, particularly The Chukka. Large enough for incredible detail, small enough to easily display. How many "woman hours" would you estimate to completion?
 

Terry57

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Gail, your town is fabulous! Your attention to every detail is wonderful. The little chihuahua is especially close to my heart:)
I can't wait to see the RB addition, though I fear even a tiny Rickey may go on a rampage!
 

Scott

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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I'm working on a teensy-weensy Rickeybird to perch someplace in my little town... he will of course be gloriously silent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, the benefits of a tiny world under MY control!

Ah, do not diss the RB! You can meld modern technology with old-style rendition by supplying a small computerized sound module with various beautiful noises from the RB!
 

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
One of my hobbies is collecting miniature scale diecast aircraft in 3 major sizes:

1/400 airliners, comfortably fit in the palm of your hand.
1/200 airliners, twice the size of their smaller cousins
1/72 military, roughly 5" to 18" or so.

Also have several "odd scale" airliners that are resin constructed, including the centerpiece which is an Airbus A-320 measuring 5.5' long.

The airliner models are highly accurate, detailed, and painted with a tampo-printing for longevity and sharpness. (no decals)

1/400 aircraft can be placed on detailed dioramas including accurate ground markings, terminal buildings, jetways, and vehicles.

1/400 scale on diorama made by a friend, aircraft is about 6" long:
1bad3d_7a7020c76c684b6089a66ed1e5cd4ed2.jpg_srb_p_1379_877_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb



Larger scale 1/200. You don't need to know anything about aircraft to spot the incredible fineness of detail!
b0b5c4f867175d9bd03300cb3e458998.png
 
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GaleriaGila

GaleriaGila

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Oooooooooooooh-weeeeeeeeeee, Scott... hours? I can more easily tell you the days (with anywhere from a couple to a lot MORE hours involved)...
From the idea to the research to the construction to the decor to the final touches...
A few weeks?????

Terry... thank you, thank you! I'll have to be careful where I put the Rb... maybe an outpost at the city limits!

Back to you, Scott... I do fear diss-ing the Rb... I have some research to do, don't I? Yes, I do!
 
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GaleriaGila

GaleriaGila

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Primor/Moxi... WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gonna study those at lennnnnngth!
THANK YOU!

Scott... MANNNNN, those are amazing!
So... there ARE miniaturists here!
I'm enraptured... now THAT'S TINY!
 
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GaleriaGila

GaleriaGila

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The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
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Y'all are making my head spin!
 

Scott

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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
I wouldn't doubt days, Gail. But the journey to the finished miniature must be filled with research, procurement, and imagining yourself "on stage." Imagine what your life would have been like back in the day of The Chukka?
 
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GaleriaGila

GaleriaGila

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The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
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You're exactly right, Scott... and that's the goal... a highly personalized, meaningful, intimate "place" to "go to" in the mind.

As I face stressful events (or sometimes, just boring ones) I travel to my town. I can walk around, linger here or there, contemplate this or that, resolve this or that, draw strength from various places as I face this or that...

I have an idea you know just what I mean!
 
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GaleriaGila

GaleriaGila

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The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
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Ms. 'IENNE... kindred ideas and inspirations, absolutely, absolutely!

There's a fascination to it, right? Miniatures. Tiny, precious, grasp-able...

Miniature books... I made a primitive attempt at a miniature cycling apparel catalog in the "bike shop" in Gail Town. It served its purpose, but...

OMG... if you attempted a tiny book with pages and pictures and such...
*eyes rolling back in head*... that would be magical!
 

Loz

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I love this concept and your miniatures. I'm glad you've discovered something that brings you joy and helps. Thank you for sharing <3
 

Inger

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This makes me want to knit you a miniature thing for your miniature town [emoji3]


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