|
Artist finds the little things count
[Times photo: Andrea Bruce Woodall]
Markissia Billiris uses a magnifying glass to see the tiny details of her miniature paintings. |
By BRANDY STARK
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 11, 2001
Markissia Billiris is known for her work as a professional portrait painter, and she prides herself on 30 years of artistic experience. Born in New York, she currently lives in Tarpon Springs with her husband, Michael Billiris, a former city commissioner for Tarpon Springs, and her son, John.
At the Vanity by Markissia Billiris
|
She won second place in the 26th International Miniature Art Show in the category of drawing and pastel for her work At the Vanity. We recently visited Billiris at her Tarpon Springs studio to learn how she creates her miniature works.
How did you get started doing miniature art?
When I saw the miniature art, I was impressed with these beautiful little paintings with all of these details and excellent craftsmanship. I decided to try a miniature piece myself, a pastel portrait. It won an award through a miniature show in 1995. From there, I also experimented with oil paint, and recently I learned the English traditional technique. Working in miniature art is an accomplishment because it is very challenging and can take hours to do.
What is the average size of your miniatures?
Probably between 11/2 by 2 inches to 2 by 3 inches.
What are some of the special tools you use to create a miniature painting?
I use a very good magnifier and good lighting; I usually like to work in daylight. With my oil paintings, I use ivorine (a synthetic type of ivory made in England) as my base to paint upon. To paint, I use tiny sable brushes. It's very important to use the tiny brushes, and I use the smallest I can get for the tiny details. In miniature art, unlike large paintings, no brushstrokes are allowed to show. So, sometimes I need to lightly sand down any ridges or blemishes that appear in the painting.
What is the procedure you use to create a miniature painting?
 |
Only its popularity is large
Art that is no larger than a sixth of the object it represents draws more fans and practitioners each year. The 26th international show this month should be a big surprise in many ways. |
I start by washing and drying the ivorine to make sure it is perfectly clean. I tape the ivorine to my drawing board and set out my colors and brushes. Then, I start to draw the face and the clothing with a light wash. I have to let that dry. The next day I add to the sketch.
I use pencils in broad areas of color. I then start to paint, building up layer on layer. I have to let each layer dry in between paintings. If I see a ridge or a blemish I very lightly sand it down before I start to paint the next layer. The last thing I do is add in the white or the highlights. When I am done, it looks like a painted jewel.
How long does it take?
A single painting can take about 30 hours or a little more. It takes such an intense concentration that it's very hard to do. Every little stroke counts. I normally can work for 5 hours at a time on a single work.
What advice do you have for a new miniature art collector?
Make sure that the drawing is good in it. Buy what you like if it is artistically pleasing to you. Make sure the craftsmanship of the painting looks like it will last. Composition, good clean drawing and colors are really important in a piece.
PREVIEW
Markissia Billiris will be demonstrating her technique at the art show 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 23.
Back to Weekend
© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111
|
