Search the Community

In response to Bill's challenge, here is what's on my workbench today. My workbench is my kitchen table, and it has overflowed onto the kitchen hutch. The petitpoint in my hand is actually further along than that now, but the person who commissioned it has asked me not to show more recent pictures until she can show it off herself. When I finish that, I need to finish the stockings and rug to send off to another customer. The stacks of wood are the first miniature lumber I've cut myself, and it still needs to be thicknessed. It's for several different projects - a 1960s credenza and a 1930s dining set with expandable table that has the two leaves stored inside. The copper pieces are for a Stickley rocking chair. The brick in progress is for the hearth/wall in the Dick Van Dyke Show living room. If you look closely, you can see evidence of real life projects too, namely some painting in the kitchen (had to take down the brass towl bar and the switch plates). (The stockings are on 48 ct gauze, the elephant rug on 40, and the one in progress is on 72.)

Just wanted to share my latest work, a roombox which is a copy of a painting by Cornelius De Man "Chess Players". It is all finished except one miniature painting, I left the frame for it in the room. Here is the original painting: And what we have for now: Cornelis De Man Chess Players Roombox by vika-m, on Flickr This roombox was commissioned by Miniatura Galata, The Museum of Art Miniatures, Loket, Czech Republic. It is not open to public yet, they are reconstructing the exhibition space. The interior and furniture were made by me, the dolls are made by my Mom, Lyubov Morozova (we had three version of the dolls, and what you see is the latest version of them). The rug is designed and stitched by Natalia Frank. The paintings are copied by our client's wife. It was a very interesting project, it took about a year to finish it due to the real life events ( my baby girl was born at the time, so I took some time off and had to slow down with the work). A lot of research was made to build the furniture and accessories, though our main goal was to give the right impression and feeling of the painting. We also used two other paintings by de Man, who was not really good at drawing people, that's why we had so much work with making dolls. So some details were copied from other de Man's paitings, like the fireplace and chimney details, the walls decoration etc. The cat is missing though Our client didn't find the artisan for it, but I hope it'll take its place in the future. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think de Man didn't paint the rest of the table (to the right from the lady) - it looks out of proportion to me. Anyway, it was a fantastic challenge to try to copy the painting, find the right colors, textures, materials. Our client is happy about the result and so we are! Let me show you some more pictures: Cornelis De Man Chess Players Roombox by vika-m, on Flickr Cornelis De Man Chess Players Roombox by vika-m, on Flickr Cornelis De Man Chess Players Roombox by vika-m, on Flickr Cornelis De Man Chess Players Roombox by vika-m, on Flickr Cornelis De Man Chess Players Roombox by vika-m, on Flickr Here are the chairs: Chair upholstery by vika-m, on Flickr I hope Natalia Frank will join me here soon to tell more about her wonderful rug!