collectibles | D Thomas Miniatures 9/25

May 18, 2017

Open House: New Work by Miniaturist Jill Orlov

Join us for a special open house in the Gallery here at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures on Sunday May 21 from 3-5pm as we celebrate our latest exhibition of fine art miniatures: THOSE WERE THE DAYS.

In this new show, miniaturist Jill Orlov is inspired by iconic pop culture television studio sets and reimagines their environments, as one-twelfth scale shadowboxes, using steel and other reclaimed objects.

Jill is a classically trained and award-winning architect, sculptural furniture designer and innovative miniaturist. She uses mild steel she makes by hand along with cast metals and reclaimed objects including vintage wooden drawers, crates, plumbing parts, and other items often considered to be castaways.

This concept of creating “reimagined” spaces extends into her Contained Objects of Art series of 1/12th scale miniature vignettes, including an exciting new piece created for her solo exhibition in The Gallery.

"Archie and Edith’s Sitting Room in a Box” is based loosely on the now famous living room set from the 1970’s television sitcom All in the Family, and includes her “reimagined” view of Archie’s tattered wingback chair juxtaposed to Edith’s more lady-like “pin-cushion”chair. The vignette is set inside a wooden drawer from a 1950’s office cabinet (you can almost hear Archie bellow “stifle it, Edith!"

Archie & Edith's Sitting Room in a Box 15-1/4" wide x 6" deep x 15-1/2" tall

This signature piece will be displayed along with two other vignettes including the open plan first floor inspired by The Brady Bunch and Julia Child’s Kitchen also used as her TV set in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These whimsical and intricately styled settings form the new exhibition.

Brady Bunch Stair in a Box 17-1/4" wide x 7-1/2" deep x 15-3/4" tall

The exhibition is based on the concept developed by Darren T. Scala, curator of the The Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures. “Like so many who came of age in the 1970s’s, Jill and I have deep creative and artistic connections to the television shows we watched. We have created this exhibition to display the continuing influence of 1970’s pop icon television on art, design, the decorative arts and contemporary culture. I am thrilled to showcase Jill’s amazing work!” says Scala.

Julia's Kitchen in a Box 20-1/4" wide x 10-1/4" deep x 12-5/8" tall

THOSE WERE THE DAYS will be on view from May 21 through July 31 in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures. An Open House celebration is scheduled for Sunday May 21, 3-5pm and will be attended by Ms. Orlov. Contact us here for more information, visit us in the Gallery or click here to purchase.

Check out our 3-part Podcast posted on our You Tube channel for our interview with Ms. Orlov.

ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES

D. Thomas Fine Miniatures is a retail and gallery destination featuring top quality collectibles including 1/12th scale structure, furniture and accessories. The concept, designed to appeal to collectors, crafters and enthusiasts was created, in part, to raise awareness of miniatures as a decorative art form and to introduce the discipline not only to a new generation but to those who may just be discovering it! The gallery space showcases work in miniature by well-known artists from all over the world.

May 14, 2017

Those Were the Days: Pop Icon TV Show Sets REIMAGINED as Miniature Metal Marvels

Jill Orlov is a classically trained and award-winning architect, sculptural furniture designer and innovative miniaturist. She creates both full scale furniture as well as miniature objects and vignettes in 1/12th scale. Utilizing mild steel she makes by hand along with cast metals and reclaimed objects including vintage wooden drawers, boxes, crates, plumbing parts, bicycle parts and other items often considered to be castaways, her signature style is truly unparalleled.

Orlov’s fascination with the creative process, including miniatures, began during childhood where she could be found making furnishings and accessories for her dollhouse using sculpting clay and other traditional materials.

Throughout her architectural training and career, Jill came to realize her favorite part of the complex design process was the making of models. “...but (all my designs) began with several scaled models. Throughout architecture school, my favorite part of the design process was making models. The built environment…miniaturized!”

Jill’s love for design was unfulfilled; she often felt a disconnect between the spaces she would create for a client from her own personality. It was through enrollment in a welding class that her creative and career turning points occurred.

This new-found use of metals and the processes involved in their fabrication have led to the design of a range of full size and fine scale miniatures, many depicting real life scenarios, reimagined.

Jill’s current focus in full scale includes the design and creation of open floor rooms floating within the framework of a usable table for use in the home or office setting.

One example is a sofa table constructed of mild steel with an oil-based sealed frame and thick glass top containing a floating vignette of a living room complete with fireplace, glass candlesticks, wax candles, paper books, copper mesh carpet among other novel creations.

She customizes these tables for her clients to reflect either a favorite existing room, their idea of an unattainable dream room or a setting that is “reimagined” from either a distant memory from the past, including quintessential rooms from television and film.

Archie & Edith's Sitting Room in a Box 15-1/4" wide x 6" deep x 15-1/2" tall

“Archie and Edith’s Sitting Room in a Box” is based loosely on the now famous living room set from the 1970’s television sitcom All in the Family, and includes her “reimagined” view of Archie’s tattered wingback chair juxtaposed to Edith’s more lady-like “pin-cushion”chair. The vignette is set inside a wooden drawer from a 1950’s office cabinet (you can almost hear Archie bellow “stifle it, Edith!”).

Brady Bunch Stair in a Box 17-1/4" wide x 7-1/2" deep x 15-3/4" tall

This signature piece will be displayed along with two other vignettes including the open plan first floor inspired by The Brady Bunch and Julia Child’s Kitchen also used as her TV set in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These whimsical and intricately styled settings form the new exhibition “Those Were the Days…Pop Icon TV Sets REIMAGINED: Miniatures by Jill Orlov.”

Julia's Kitchen in a Box 20-1/4" wide x 10-1/4" deep x 12-5/8" tall

“Those Were the Days…Pop Icon TV Sets REIMAGINED: Miniatures by Jill Orlov,” will be on display from May 21 through July 31, 2017. Jill will discuss these works, her creative process and her inspirations at an open house/meet-the-artist hosted by Scala on Sunday, May 21, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES

May 14, 2017

Meet Jill Orlov: Part 3 of 3

In the final part of this podcast series we talk with miniaturist Jill Orlov about her upcoming show "THOSE WERE THE DAYS" featuring new work in the Gallery at D. Thomas Fine Miniatures May 21 - July 31 2017.

Jill was inspired to reimagine studio sets from iconic pop culture television shows including All in the Family, Julia Child and The Brady Bunch.

Jill takes the listener through her creative process and how she came to create this miniature marvels using welding and metal techniques.

HOLD THE DATE!: Local folks (and those who travel!) please join us for a very special OPEN HOUSE/artist meet and greet on Sunday May 21 3-5pm to celebrate the opening of this new show!

Pour a cup of tea and take a listen to this 20 minute interview!

ABOUT D. THOMAS FINE MINIATURES