If you are a keen reader of this column you may have noticed that there’s not a lot to read in the category ‘about artists’. I intend to rectify this omission starting now. One of the joys of Miniatura is the international reputation for quality that the show enjoys. For this reason visitors come from long distances to see the show because sometimes there are rare exhibitors; equally there are artists who only occasionally exhibit at the Min and hardly anywhere else because of the gathering of discerning collectors (who go to see the rare exhibitors.)
This autumn Pascale Garnier definitely qualified on all counts. Pascale wrote a lovely book Miniatures Scenes de la Vie in 1997, having helped her friend, Ingeborg Reisser, famous miniaturist responsible for the spread of all things miniature in France through the club de la Miniature Francaise and the magazine Magazine de la Maison de Poupee. Working at the magazine Pascale often received requests for simple projects from beginners. As she was a beginner herself, Pascale had great sympathy with these pleadings. Having researched materials, tools, techniques and suppliers for herself, all that she had discovered eventually came to fruition in the book. Pascale says it needs a sequel, though typically for a busy miniaturist, she has everything but time.
The Hopwoods, organisers of Miniatura, have been aware of Pascale as a miniaturist for many years, having met her in France at the Vendeuvres show. Later when she was launching her book in Paris they bought a signed copy, which is still treasured. Impressed by the quality of Pascale’s miniatures, the organisers began inviting the artist to exhibit at their show and had been doing so for fifteen years before she finally arrived. To prove it, here she is in a photo by Stewart Writtle, courtesy of Miniatura.
This beautiful scene of what, if I may say so, is a very French looking courtyard, features the miniature flower kits for which Pascale has subsequently become known and which she was selling at Miniatura.
The flower kits, as you can see from this photo by Pascale of her
bougainvillea are very realistic. Looking at this I can just feel the Mediterranean sun on my back. If you are not a miniaturist, you must remember that this plant hasn’t grown; the framework and stalks have had every flower petal and leaf applied and fastened individually. Just imagine if each had to be cut with a pair of scissors, recalling that the entire plant could fit on the palm of your hand! This, of course, is why plant kits, with someone else to do the tedious cutting for you, are so popular in miniature, though they do need to be well researched to get results like this.
At first Pascale was happy just to make a basket of flowers until someone asked ‘Which flower is it?’ Subsequently she began to specialise, with her friend Francine Coyon making the baskets and Pascale concentrating on the flowers. Pascale enjoys dyeing or painting the paper to make the petals and actually assembling the flower, always with a real specimen in front of her to copy. She aims for botanic precision right down to the number of stamens.
The results speak for themselves.
They would grace any miniature garden and are frequently inspired by Pascale’s real garden near Paris, which is a little neglected now that paper flowers take up so much of her time.
Though she does admit to having 21 kinds of peonies as well as the hellebores and roses she has photographed here.
The flower kits vary from the easy kits that flowered first, including tulips and daffodils to late blooming orchids, hollyhocks and climbing roses. Some customers fill entire flower shops or meet for floral workshops; to help them Pascale offers separate bulk bags of petals or leaves.
We do hope to see Pascale again at Miniatura, the Hopwoods say they would be delighted to hear she could return. If you are one of the discerning visitors who enjoys picking rare exhibitors, Pascale Garnier is one for your wish list.
Many thanks to Pascale for her excellent floral photography.
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JaneLaverick.com – appreciating artists.
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