Customer Reviews

The Art of the Miniature: Small Worlds and How to Make Them

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...and this is the true strength of the book. Jane Freeman's work reflects her classically trained background and does not sit well with the often twee world of miniature 'craft'. If anyone can bring miniatures out of its association with children's toys, Freeman can! This book showcases the work of Freeman and other artists who work in miniature form in brilliant photographic colour and quality on every page- not a single, irritating and pointless black and white among them. I turn to this book when I feel the need to be 'freed' from the conventions of miniatures, namely expense, scale, and realism in the traditional sense of the term. Freeman's talent for producing the essence of what is most important in life is second to none in the miniatures world, and her flair for finding alternative uses for rubbish is ingenious. My work took quite a different turn after the influence of Freeman, from heirloom creations of the Australian past, to scenes of my own life which actively engages the onlooker by requiring their interpretation. This was my most expensive miniatures book purchase, and one of the most valuable. Highly recommended.

Jane Freeman works mainly from found materials and transforms them into wonderful miniature worlds, mainly roomboxes. Many of her works are in private collections as well as museums. I've learned many techniques from her earlier publications in miniature magazines and this book was a bonus, both for her ideas and I wondered why she wasn't publishing anymore in what used to be known at Nutshell News, now Dollhouse Miniatures. I believe her artistic ability transcends miniatures and as one reviewer said "this book is candy for the eyes". Yes, I am interested in miniatures and this is a "must have" for the miniaturist.

Even if you're not into dollhouses or miniatures (which I'm really not), you should check this book out. It's amazing what the artists in this book have come up with--scenes elevated to extraordinary. There is a room box for every taste, from recreated and reinterpreted Van Gogh and Matisse paintings to office cubicles and Chinese restaurant facades. There are more traditional rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, but there are also diners, dentists' offices and even a funky Frida Kahlo house. Are the projects intimidating? Mostly. Are they inspiring? DEFINITELY. There are fantastic things that spark ideas in here, even if you have no intention of ever making a room box yourself. It's a great book to peruse if you're interested in collage and assemblage, and if you like miniatures there are all sorts of directions and ideas for how to make something out of virtually nothing. When I bought this and showed it to a friend, she looked at it and said, "That's...creepy." She meant it in the best possible sense--this stuff is so realistic you can't imagine someone made it. BUY THIS BOOK! It's a lot of fun, even if it is sort of creepy.

This is a book any beginner in miniature art should read. Its inspirational, informative and very interesting. There are many pictures in the book which also serves as a visual treat to stimulate and evoke the artist in anybody. The author, Jane Freeman of this book has not only elevated making miniatures as a pure art form but sanctified its stature with her amazing creations. While reading this book, I noticed one thing very special about this book, the author has a talent which lures us to look at everything in life with the creative eye.

I loved this book. I was inspired by the ideas of the author and her guest artists. Wow! A beautiful book, great photography, fabulous ideas! Creativity and imagination and just plain American know-how. A must read book for miniaturists (is that a word?) Wish I could have given it ten stars. Yes I loved this book.

Even reading this book purely for inspiration and enjoyment, it's wonderful and fun. The ideas are imaginative and often breathtaking. I have given this book to many friends from all walks of life who are delighted with its spetacular prose and astonishing miniature worlds. Even for those who are "all thumbs," it's thumbs up, way up!

...and this is the true strength of the book. Jane Freeman's work reflects her classically trained background and does not sit well with the often twee world of miniature 'craft'. If anyone can bring miniatures out of its association with children's toys, Freeman can! This book showcases the work of Freeman and other artists who work in miniature form in brilliant photographic colour and quality on every page- not a single, irritating and pointless black and white among them. I turn to this book when I feel the need to be 'freed' from the conventions of miniatures, namely expense, scale, and realism in the traditional sense of the term. Freeman's talent for producing the essence of what is most important in life is second to none in the miniatures world, and her flair for finding alternative uses for rubbish is ingenious. My work took quite a different turn after the influence of Freeman, from heirloom creations of the Australian past, to scenes of my own life which actively engages the onlooker by requiring their interpretation. This was my most expensive miniatures book purchase, and one of the most valuable. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderful book. There are lots of ideas for making beautiful rooms, the pictures are beautiful and clear enough to see each item, plus how to's and shopping lists. Many talented artists are pictured not just the author. I am enjoying this book very much.

I may never get to do any thing like the projects in this book, but it is soooo fun to look at. I love to pick out the different items in a scene and try and figure what the artist used to make a certain item. If you need inspiration this is a good book to get it.

This book was more The Borrowers and less Team America than I had hoped. My favorite rooms were by Alan Wolfson. If I had been able to see inside this book before purchasing, I wouldn't have bought it. I am more interested in playability and want to decoupage bookcases to make an affordable dollhouse with softer colors than Barbie fuchsia so these art pieces were less inspirational than I would like. I think doll furniture could be so much better if only the manufacturers would make the commitment to do it right with a large array of classic styles in hard plastic. Asia is no stranger to plastic injection mold factories, hint, hint.