Pencil Point Art and other Micro Artwork

Pencil Point carver, Dalton Ghetti and Willards Wigan's needle eye art are examples of micro sculpture art.

The term miniature conjures images of everyday items made on a very small scale, such as those made for doll houses. I collect small items that are made very well. To tell if the miniature were made well, take a photo of it. No one should be able to tell it's size; it should look just like a normal sized object.

Now imagine someone making something so small that you cannot see it with the naked eye! Micro miniaturists is not a common everyday term. In fact, I'll bet 90% of the public will admit to never hearing that term.

I've discovered artists that carve and sculpt items so small that you need a magnifying glass or even a microscope to view them !

Sculpting and carving is a talent that only some people have and many try to do. Traditional sculpting or carving is done with stone, granite, clay or wood. But what about metal?

Here are a few of the best in their field in the world. You'll be amazed by their work.

Pencil point sculpting is the incredibly intricate carving of the pencil point. The craftsmen painstakingly carves a sculpture out of this extremely small area-- no bigger than a 1/4 of an inch or smaller.

Can you imagine someone being able to carve a pencil point? It's incredible that someone could, and without a magnifying glass.

Emigrating from Brazil in 1985, he works as a carpenter in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The artist's name is Dalton Ghetti and he's been perfecting his art for 25 years.

Funny, how I'd never heard of him till now.

You'd think that someone with this level of skill would be famous and on the national news but he works quietly and diligently on his craft.

The human imagination is very fertile and creative. Some people must be busy creating something all the time. Pencils are very useful but sculpting on the point of a pencil seems impossible, but not for this man.

A British citizen, Willard Wigan, is famous in his own right. He too makes micro miniatures that fit in the eye of a needle. He uses a fly's hair and a powerful microscope to help him create, which often takes three months to finish. Willard is best known for creating with grains of sand and rice.

Do you think you have the patience to create such a micro miniature?

Maybe you can learn to use a microscope like Willard does by watching him work and describes the process in the video above.

On the head of a Pin

An artist that was incarcerated was a Sing Sing convict named A. Schiller. In the late 1880's he passed the time creating extremely tiny writings such as the Lords Prayer etched on the head of a pin.

He had a lot of time on his hands and since he was a former forger, had the skills and patience to create these little masterpieces. It's said he went blind due to his pastime.

The piece is owned by retired businessman, Jules Charbneau of Mount Clemens, Michigan.

Astonishing Microscopic Art

The next micro mini artist is Anatolij Konenko, born in Omsk, Siberia. He is known in his part of the world as one of the finest micro miniaturist with works in the eyes of needles, tiny animals on mosquito legs, and tiny whole books smaller than a coin.

Most of his work is in the Museum of Miniatures in Prague, Romania.

Just remember, one needs to use a microscope to view and enjoy his works.

Another eastern European by the name of Nikolai S. Syadristy, lives in the Ukraine and he works with gold to create his little gems. Born in 1937, he created these little works strictly as a hobby.

His work is seen in exhibits all over the world. he is said to have the smallest works in the world.

It's not known how he creates his work but a microscope is needed to enjoy them.

These are some of the more famous artists that work on a really small scale. It is reasonable to assume that for one to create these micro mini works, you would have to be incredibly patient, committed and organized.

In this rush about world with our need for instant gratification, it's good to know there are some art forms that still defy modern ways.

Maybe you'll be the next amazing micro miniaturist and make amazing work.