Little paintings, painted in miniature, are popular with collectors. Rebecca Latham's work has been judged as one of the best in the field of miniature painting by America's most respected miniature art society.

Miniature Painters, Sculptors, & Gravers Society - Awards Ceremony

Rebecca Latham was awarded the “The Manny Sullivan Memorial Award for Excellence”, second in show, for her intricately detailed miniature watercolor painting “Bashful – Mute Swan”. Her miniature wildlife painting was chosen from 712 artworks entered in the international (MPSGS) Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Gravers Society of Washington, D.C.'s '73rd Annual Exhibition of Fine Arts Miniatures held at the Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda, Maryland. The international exhibition of miniature art is held annually and attracts miniature art enthusiasts and artists from near and far. “I am very honored.” Says artist, Rebecca Latham. “It is taking a bit to get used to, being recognized for your work with an award of this scale.” she says, "As an artist, you just do the best work that you can." It is unique for an artist to merit such a prestigious award at such a young age, being only in her 20's.

Rebecca Latham and MPSGS Judge, Todd Baxter Dawson

The Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Gravers Society is one of the oldest in the world, the oldest active society in the United States. The MPSGS society was founded in 1931 by Alyn Williams, Founder of the Royal Miniature Society (RMS) in London, England. The organization is highly respected in the field of miniature arts. The MPSGS miniature art society was chosen to host the “Third World Exhibition” which was held at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. in July of 2004, an exhibition that Rebecca Latham's miniature artwork was also featured in.

When were you first introduced to "art in miniature" and miniature painting?

I was working "in miniature" for the first time in early 1995, I was 15. At the time I had no idea that societies for miniature painting existed and was just painting on a small scale for fun. I remember, during that time, working on a collection of small scale traditional miniature florals that had an image size of only 1" X .75" or so. My Mom, Karen, was painting traditional miniature pieces and on a small scale a many years before I was, 45 years ago, though not for or through miniature art society exhibitions. I think her work in miniature and her other artwork influenced me quite a bit. Around 1999, I started to show my work in "traditional miniature" shows.  ...and began to paint more of my work 'in miniature'.

Do you feel there are the similarities or differences of your miniature paintings compared to others in the miniature community?

All miniatures are similar - because of the detail that is required for painting "in miniature" and that often, especially for certain exhibitions, they are painted a bit smaller, sized to fit in the palm of your hand.  Of course there are larger works, also.  The differences would be the subjects and settings that are chosen, and of course the artist's style and approach to their work. The artist's chosen medium is also a factor. I think that all miniaturists have their own styles just like any other artists. In any art exhibition, a collector farmiliar with an artist's work can easily pick out their paintings that are hanging in the show, simply because they recognize different aspects of the artist's work.

What is 'unique' about traditional miniature painting?

Painting in miniature is unique because of it's history and that artists who are "painting in miniature" are striving for a finished painting that looks detailed and real, miniatures of the Western World. Many traditional techniques are followed by miniature artists that are painting today. Finally, the small scale and various standards of size restrictions that are often requirements for inclusion in different shows also add to their uniqueness and intrigue the viewer, though these rules don't define them as miniatures. Artistically, I don't think that there are many differences. A good painting is a good painting, no matter what size it happens to be.

What do you see for the future of miniature painting and miniature art?

I think miniature painting will always be a part of the art scene. It is a unique part of the the art world, but not completely foreign. There are many organizations working to create opportunities for miniature artists around the world. If there are collectors who support artists 'painting in miniature' and enjoy their charming qualities, there will be artists to paint them. The small paintings that are featured in these miniature shows are easy to collect , arrange in small areas, and are perfect as small gifts. I simply enjoy painting them.