My favorite part of this work is photographing and editing the pics. Photographing miniatures is challenging and I love challenges aiming to improve, learn and grow. It's another creative avenue that I enjoy. A huge, big part of shooting is setting up the scene. Deciding the floor, and wall treatments and my most favorite is dressing the scene or pieces with accessories. I find the accessories give the "room" or piece depth, layers and interest.
Now through the years I have collected my own pieces from artists I adore. I began collecting 21 years ago. About 19 years ago it was the original Art Director of the Carol and Barry Kaye Museum of Miniatures Paula Pasic Tillinghast that was a great help to me. Although others try to take credit, it was Paula who was instrumental in sharing technique, info and resources. Paula was one of the most talented artists ever known. She had a calm, stable, sensible personality with tough shoes to fill. There is no other like her with talent beyond comprehension. She was responsible for the entire museum designs and displays from day One of its conception, museum opening and for many years following.
It was Paula who introduced me to the who's who and what's what of the mini world. (Paula was also a curator for the Walt Disney Family, aiding in the conservation of Walt Disney's miniatures and personal memorabilia; as a busy freelance interior miniature designer; as a Director of an exhibit on the history of miniatures; and as a painter and fine artist.) We lost this incredibly talented woman in 2011 to cancer at the young age of 54, but her legacy and contribution to the preservation of the art of miniatures will be with us forever.
Above: Paula Pasic Tillinghast
Paula introduced me to a floral artist Marie Petrik at a mini show in Anaheim Ca. I purchased a gorgeous little basket of hydrangeas. Later in 2000 at the Chicago International show Marie's table was next to mine. What a treat! I think I spent more time at her table than my own. I just could not decide and eventually purchased a glass vase with roses.
Marie and I became friends. A fellow New Yorker, personality plus. I always love her energy, her happy big laughter. She a riot, warm, talented and awesome. Believe me, I love so many floral artists and think they are amazing too. But I met Marie in my early years of miniature work and this makes her special to me.
Marie Petrik
Marie will tell you, I'm always yelling at her to get on the Internet, a web site, a fb page, something... She smacks me on the arm, yells back "I'm busy" HAHAHAHA ... love that New Yorker she makes me smile just writing about her. So finally Marie is now on Facebook ...thank heaven above!
Now that Marie is on fb, she goes through my mini pics and writes on my fan page....
You see... I've been using those 2 florals arrangements I purchased from Marie 18 years ago in practically every mini photo! And to be honest I never realized how much! But how can I help myself? 18 years and these little pieces are my treasures. I love them. They are timeless and beautiful 18 years later. So now you're in on the joke.... Yes the rose vase AND the hydrangea basket ARE MY MASCOT!
The Mascot: Rose vase by Marie Petrik ....
The hydrangeas ......
At the Good Sam show 2013 my wonderful Marie attended and her table was close to mine. Of course I had to have the yellow Lilly's and this sweet hydrangeas in terra cotta pot. They will grace my mini photos and my personal collection for the next 18 years. "Thanks Marie! ... Now could you please get a blog?"
I am so happy to see this blog...thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you Lu love and hugs
DeleteThanks for the story about the flowers. I guess you are repeating the image of the roses in your furniture paintings too ... they match so well...it looks great!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susanne hugs !
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this part of your "miniatures" life, it's always interesting to learn more about someone's passion.
ReplyDeleteGeneviève
You are so sweet Genevieve Thank You. hugs for you ❤️
DeleteHi Maritza! I want to apologize for not commenting sooner on this most interesting article. I am so happy that you had a nice rest over the Thanksgiving holiday. A well deserved rest, I must say, because you obviously work so very hard. Each piece you create is a work of art and each piece must demand so much time.
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to enjoy photography! Your photos are always very nice and I know what you mean when you say that the accessories give the "room" depth, layers and interest. I have never heard it so well put. I am of the opinion that well organized accessories will often help to sell a piece because they can be so inspiring.
You must have a beautiful collection if you have been collecting for twenty-one years. That is a long time!
How sad that you should have lost your friend Paula at such an early age. What an accomplished woman she was! It must have caused a huge void in your life! I'm very sorry for that!
It's good that you found another special friend in Marie Petrick. Her vase of roses and basket of hydrangea are special indeed. Another talented lady! Such a good idea to use them as your mascots! As I read further, I saw that you added to your mascots, the lilies and the blue hydrangea. Lovely! We can never have too many flowers. I love how the purple hydrangea looks against the background of the leopard fabric.
In closing, I just want to add that all your creations are so very precious, colourful, and enticing. They are regal and I can never get enough of looking at them.
Thank you, Maritza,for contributing so much beauty to the miniature world. As far as I'm concerned, you are one of its main stars.
Oh how can I thank you Lucille... I am lost for words. You are so kind. Your words keep me going and lift me. This journey has been a symphony and I consider myself overly blessed to have met so many who are so gracious like you. This is my blessing all I do is paint but to bring a joy to someone ... There are no words and gives this thing I do meaning. Thank you beautiful Lucille
Deletethose photos are so pretty
ReplyDeleteHello Maritza! How wonderful that the floral arrangements that have been part of your past and are now your present, have such lovely memories attached to them! You tell the story of "Why" so well and I thank you for sharing it with all of us. The arrangements themselves are Exceptionally Fine and I can see just how beautifully they compliment your own Outstanding work.
ReplyDeleteAnd my condolences at the loss of your friend Paula. What a brute of a disease cancer is.
elizabeth
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ReplyDeleteDear Maritza: I stumbled upon your blog late tonight, and was so very moved to read your account of my beloved late wife Paula. You described her absolutely perfectly -- your words ring true. She was so talented, so giving, so unassuming -- sometimes so much so that she was not always given credit for all of the amazing things she did. But mostly, she is a dearly missed friend and wife. Thank you for remembering her so eloquently. -David Tillinghast
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