This is a most unique little mixed media miniature sculpture/painting/collage by South Africa's miniaturist, Beth Freeman-Kane. The birds and flowers are hand made in resin and painted. She uses other items for the fence, bug, etc. The art measures 3" x 2" and the wood frame is 5 1/4" x 6 1/2". Both the art and frame are in very good condition. This piece is signed in the lower right of the background painting. Beth's technique in her own words:I think I was born to make miniatures. I started when I was 5 and 6 years old. I would create tiny little things out of Play-Doh and plasticine. When I was about 15 years old, I discovered polymer clay. A few years later, in my 20s, I began mold making and reproducing works in resin.One of my new techniques is to work with resin. It took me about 12 days to create a framed piece that had ducks in water. I’m really excited about the concept of diving birds. Perhaps puffins chasing fish underwater. And I’d love to create frogs swimming with their legs out. That’s one tough thing about being an artist and a Fellow of the Guild, preserving the highest standard of miniature work. The further I develop as an artist, the tougher I am on myself. It takes me longer to produce a piece and I add more and more detail each time. I aim to achieve realism and perfection and continue to push myself harder. Years ago, I could sit and paint 10 birds in one day. Now I can do about 3. I find myself wanted to blend the colors, to achieve the round sleekness of the bird, all the feather details. So I end up painting layers and layers of color on the piece. When working with resin as water, I want to ensure the animals are whipping with the current, and that they’re slanted and spaced different to appear more realistic. I use deer hair to make grass; bees wings to make dragonfly wings; parakeet feathers to make bird feathers; and the skeleton of coral to make the effect of little dead branches in scenes. I use only animal materials that have died of natural causes and donated their bodies to art. I’ve previously used driftwood found high up in the mountains that needed to be treated, baked and soaked in peroxide. I love using the calcified coral as it doesn’t decay and nothing eats it – it’s a rather inert, natural substance. Ref: Partial Article from the Daily Mini website.
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