Most of you don’t know me. That’s because I’m pretty new to miniatures. I have worked as a graphic designer, illustrator, calligrapher, and later a design manager and publication manager and was casting about for something to do once I retired. I thought about decorating full-sized furniture, but a friend thought I would like miniatures.

So between the summer of 2006 and the summer of 2007 I took 5 classes with Mary Grady O’Brien and one with Sue Rountree and discovered I liked painting small. Before then the only painting I had done in the last 20 or so years was theater sets! One extreme to the other!

I wanted to continue but needed to do something original--didn’t want to copy what other painters were doing. I asked what was needed and was told that nobody was painting signs any more. Well, that just happened to be something I knew how to do from my days as a cover designer when we had to paint the lettering in a design by hand. That was the old days before designers used computers. Because of computers nobody develops that skill any more.

So I was off to explore this new angle and soon was creating miniature signs.  I always like a challenge, so in the fall of 2007 I submitted 5 pieces to IGMA and was awarded my Artisan. As a result of that I have been selling my work in shows for about a year and a half, doing commissioned work, and loving it.

I have a great little studio on my sun porch with wonderful north light. I work at a drawing table that I’ve had for about 30 years and use the same goose-neck lamp I used in art school. I paint in both acrylic and oils. Almost all the lettering is done in acrylic and I get into oil on the more complex work when shading and very fine details are required. My motto is use what you need to get the effect you are after.

My work is divided into several categories. My favorite category is the Antique Reproduction Tavern Signs from the Connecticut area such as the Grosvenor, Perkins, and Porter signs. I’ve recently learned to use a jewelers saw, so now I can also create the pediments and other shapes. Recently I painted the Clipper Ship, and though the ship itself is old, making it into the oval sign with the banner was from my imagination. Next I may branch out into reproducing colonial paintings with no lettering at all.

Another category I love is the  Contemporary signs which can run from very simple to very elaborate. They can be based on existing signs or created completely from my (or my customer’s) imagination. The Martini Bar, When Pigs Fly, and Fine Millinery are examples. Dancing Nightly is an example of an elaborate contemporary sign.

I also make what I call Shop Signs. These have pretty strict guidelines as to size, shape, number of words, acrylic only, etc. and the image needs to be quite simple. They are done relatively quickly and are, therefore, a lot less expensive. The last category of signs is my little Wall Plaques, some of which I occasionally teach in classes.

I haven’t forgotten my original focus on decorated furniture and once in a while paint some in different themes. The Rooster furniture is constructed by Jerry Smith of Happiness is Miniatures and the Pennsylvania Dutch style is built by Pam Boorum. I also have some with a Rufus Porter theme.

I now have a website which shows pictures of all my work. I invite you to visit it anytime. Just go to phyllishawkesstudio.com.

Well, that’s about it in my mini world. I go to the Bow and Plaistow, NH, club meetings with friends and have been learning so much more about the rest of the mini world.