Thinking Outside the Box
Ok, technically, I know hollyhocks are not in bloom yet, but these 4.5-inch versions from Laura Settle are so lifelike I have to mention them. Shrubbery by Art Smith. Gardening tools by Sir Thomas Thumb.
The smell of freshly turned earth, the sound of a squeaky wheelbarrow, and the hint of sunburn on the cheeks. I love the scene on the right because it evokes all the senses of spring. Why, just looking at the tiny gardening tools by Sir Tom Thumb makes me want to get my own hands dirty. We’ve had more snow this winter in Kentucky than we have had in twenty years, so I can’t describe how anxious I am to begin walking around the yard with a cup of coffee to see what is popping up through the landscape. It’s the same feeling I get when we change seasons in the gallery.
When spring arrives, I always find myself paying extra attention to the details outside the box: minuscule blades of grass that appear as if an April breeze has just passed through, tiny bulbs in various stages of flowering, and bird houses awaiting feathered friends. These are just some of the items that bring a sense of home to the room boxes, vignettes, and houses at the gallery. I like to think of the scenes as landscapes of life. In fact, I tend to choose the same flowers I like in full size to complement the miniature exteriors—peonies, poppies, daffodils (Lou says they are jonquils), and hyacinths—but I love all of them and viewing them in miniature makes me appreciate their beauty even more.
The first flowers I ever commissioned were by Marjorie Meyer. Her versions were so lifelike I could almost smell the distinct scent of narcissus. Her roses, sunflowers, Siberian iris, peonies, and black-eyed Susans are incredibly perfect and add realism to every scene in which they are used. What truly amazes me, though, is watching artisans like Marjorie shape the petals and leaves from thin paper and then perfectly paint the details. I have taken many classes at the IGMA Guild School with Sandra Wall Rubin, and the experience was immensely valuable in learning what actually goes into making flowers and garden spaces. Many a night my homework kept me up until 2 am just trying to keep up . . . it is tedious work! And speaking of Sandra, I have to mention her exquisite bouquets. Many of her pieces bring the outdoors into room boxes in the form of fresh flowers in vases. One of my favorite arrangements of hers is a combination of varying flowers complemented with eucalyptus leaves, cattails, and Dogwood branches set in beautifully crafted pottery. So creative!
I can’t think of anything better than enjoying spring from the roof garden on top of Chessington Plaza while sipping some lemon ginger tea! Potted flowers by Jenny Till. Wicker furniture and pillows from Rankin’s Tiny Treasures.
Martha Puff’s wisteria is also a sight to behold and I could stare at the intricacies of Laura Settle’s hollyhocks for hours. Michelle Carter’s spring wreathes are absolutely amazing. I use many of her white-on-white arrangements in wedding vignettes. Just as special are the pots, gardening tools, soil and other items that bring an atmosphere of activity to the exhibits. A vintage watering can amidst wooden flats of purple pansies or an old ladder resting against the house readying for spring touch-ups—those are the things that move each person who sees the scene to let their own imagination flow.
So, should I grab my gardening gloves or simply sit on the terrace with a glass of lemon ginger tea and think about planting? Anything is possible in our wonderful world of miniatures. I hope you get the chance to enjoy everything that makes you happy this spring, in and out of the box.
