The Quicksilver Workaholic

I've been working on a new article for Early American Life on portrait miniatures, slashing and burning a booklet I wrote, checking my facts, poring through my huge collection of books on miniatures, adding interviews and information for collectors.  Deadline is January 25, but I'm sure I'll make it!





The article is being a real challenge to write, and I'm getting to interview some interesting people and see some collections I wasn't aware of before...

I wear goggles when I paint them, though--my eyes are getting too old for such closeup work, I think!  In researching some of the early miniaturists, I came across that comment again and again...it does take its toll.   (These are 30 x 40mm, and if you're off by more than a couple of hairs, you're beginning to lose the likeness...)


Eye miniatures become popular late in the 18th C., perhaps when Richard Cosway painted Mrs. Fitzherbert's eye for the Prince of Wales, who became King George IV.  They were considered quite romantic and intimate--I've done quite a few of them!  These are the ones of my eye and kateslover 's, which we wore at our wedding.  Back when he used to have to travel a lot, he carried mine with him...(yes, we're romantic, why do you ask?)


I've got two commissioned miniatures to finish up...but of course I'm always tempted to try a new technique...