Big isn't always better....
Big isn’t always better!!!!!
It never fails to amaze me how patient some people are when it comes to creativity. Be it sewing, knitting or painiting, I am in thrall to the time and concentration needed to produce something wonderful.
When I first saw the Hoarders Porch ( yes of course it struck a nerve, haha) created by Amanda Kelly of Panda Miniatures I actually had to do a double take. She creates intricate worlds where every detail is complete on the smallest of scales. Just look at the size of these cigarette buts below…
As an artist and a miniaturist, I create 1:12th scale miniature scenes and dioramas that challenge the idea of the "traditional" dollhouse. I draw inspiration from my personal experiences with mental health, my childhood, and my environment. Using visual storytelling, I transform my memories into sculptural viewfinders. From a tiny piece of crumpled trash to a microscopic cigarette in an ashtray, I engage the viewer with minuscule details of unoccupied spaces that form a complex narrative. The focus of my work has always been my fascination with the accumulation of objects. As humans, we have a natural urge to collect items that hold meaning to us. I build miniatures of places in time that have special significance in my life. My miniatures explore themes of loneliness, emptiness, and realism framed in a small, curated snapshot. When taking photos of my work, I like to include my hand for scale and to remind the viewer that all is not what it seems.
ISOLATION below is open to the world and the viewer yet somehow feels claustrophobic at the same time…
While her TATOO STUDIO just made me smile…
Amanda is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant and is pursuing her Master's in Fine Arts with a focus on Sculpture at Radford University. She has built miniatures for various clients including Coca-Cola, Disney, and Dreamworks. Her work has been featured in art galleries and museums. Originally from New York, Amanda now lives in Virginia with her fiancée and 3 cats.
Her miniature ceramics are amazing too although the pimple pots slightly freak me out.
Queen Marie
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