If you’ve followed my artwork over the years, you may have noticed that something has changed.
For a long time, I painted primarily large-scale oil paintings. I loved the process of building layers of paint across a big canvas and watching an image slowly come to life. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined painting anything as small as an ACEO (2.5 x 3.5 Artist Trading Card) or a bookmark.
Then I discovered watercolor.
Somewhere along the way, my perspective began to shift. I found myself enjoying the challenge of working smaller. Watercolor taught me to slow down, simplify, and pay closer attention to the little details. Later, I discovered gouache, and I loved that it offered the same intimacy while allowing me to build richer layers and softer textures.
Before I knew it, I was filling my sketchbooks and eventually my art desk, with tiny paintings.
One of the things I enjoy most about creating small artwork is that it doesn’t ask much from the person who brings it home. It doesn’t need a large empty wall or an elaborate display. A miniature painting can sit on a bookshelf beside a favorite novel, brighten a work desk, add character to a reading nook, or become part of a cozy corner that already feels like home.
I’ve also come to appreciate how approachable small original art can be. Not everyone has the space or the budget for a large painting, but a small piece can still bring warmth, personality, and a sense of connection to a space. Original art doesn’t have to be oversized or break the bank to make a difference.
As my work has evolved, so has the variety of things I create. My Etsy shop now includes original 5×7 paintings, ACEOs, bookmarks, magnets, and notecards. While they’re different products, they all grew from the same realization: art doesn’t have to be large to be meaningful.
Looking back, I’m grateful that I didn’t stay in one place as an artist. I still admire large paintings, and maybe one day I’ll return to them. But for now, I’m enjoying this season of creating smaller pieces that invite people to slow down, look a little closer, and find a place for original art in their everyday life.
Sometimes the smallest paintings leave the biggest impression.