We were lucky to catch up with David Miniatures recently and have shared our conversation below.

David, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

My foray into the world of miniature making didn’t begin until later in life. Although I dabbled in it as a child like most people, it wasn’t until my teens that I began building model car kits. However, following the instructions quickly lost its appeal, and I yearned to create my own pieces. In my free time, I created miniatures as gifts for friends and even for small films, indulging my hobby.

As an adult, I pursued a successful career as a graphic designer and art director, which lasted two decades. My time in the design industry honed my visual skills, and I often use my graphic design expertise when creating my miniatures. My keen eye for detail allowed me to recreate signage and packaging, which enriched my miniature creations.

Unfortunately, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2013 at the young age of 33. During my recovery, I was restless and felt a bit of cabin fever. To ease my boredom, I decided to rekindle my childhood passion for miniatures. Drawing inspiration from my favorite 80s movies, I began crafting dioramas based on Back to the Future, a personal favorite.

Initially, I created these miniatures for my own amusement, without any intention of selling or marketing them. However, after sharing images of my Back to the Future dioramas online, they went viral and received widespread acclaim, including acknowledgment from one of the films’ creators, Bob Gale.

Infused by this success, I went on to create a 1:43rd scale replica of Marty McFly’s home from the original Back to the Future, which again went viral and attracted the attention of several cast members. The response was overwhelming, with many followers on Instagram requesting commissions.

Given the tremendous interest in my work, I decided to turn my hobby into a full-time business, crafting miniatures in all of the main scales, but most commonly 1:43rd and 1:24th scales. As my reputation grew, I started creating pieces for museums, film studios, and serious collectors worldwide. Over time, I have also been commissioned to create non-movie related pieces, such as replicas of people’s homes and other significant places.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Note: Part of this question was answered on the previous question, I will add on to it below:

My greatest challenge when creating my miniatures is tackling subject matter from extremely popular films and catering to the most dedicated of collectors. It requires a great deal of precision and accuracy to do justice to these beloved scenes. In fact, my first week on any project is spent on thorough research. I analyze the scene I’m recreating by watching it repeatedly, frame by frame. I take measurements and calculate scales to ensure that everything is just right.

Unlike many other miniaturists who create from their imaginations, I have to pay close attention to every detail and remain faithful to the source material. This means that the margin for error and creative freedom is much smaller, as there is a direct comparison to the original.

Regardless of the subject matter, my ultimate goal is always to achieve realism. I want the viewer to be momentarily unsure if they are looking at the real thing or a miniature. To achieve this, weathering plays a pivotal role. Our eyes tend to associate anything that is too clean or plastic-looking with being fake or toy-like. Therefore, I strive to create pieces that are as authentic as possible, complete with wear patterns and streaks, because real life is never pristine.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My art is more than just a collection of miniature scenes; it has the ability to evoke powerful emotions and transport people back to a time or scene in a favorite movie. It’s not uncommon for me to receive messages from people who have seen my work, expressing how much it made them smile and how it captured a moment in their lives. Through the art of miniatures, I am able to create detailed replicas of iconic movie scenes and settings, allowing people to revisit these moments and feel a sense of nostalgia. My work has become a way for people to connect with their favorite movies in a new and unique way, and it brings me immense joy to know that my art has touched so many lives in this way.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My large following of over 80K on Instagram and 11K on TikTok is a result of my unique and captivating miniature art. I started by sharing my passion for miniatures and my love for classic 80s movies on my Instagram page in 2013. I regularly post high-quality photos and videos of my intricate miniature scenes and engage with my followers by responding to comments and sharing behind-the-scenes content. I also use popular hashtags to reach a wider audience and collaborate with other artists and accounts to cross-promote my work.
As my following grew, I started to receive requests for custom commissions and began to expand my portfolio beyond movie scenes to include replicas of people’s homes and other personalized pieces. This helped me attract a wider audience and showcase my versatility as an artist.
On TikTok, I started creating short videos showcasing my miniature scenes and the process behind creating them. This allowed me to connect with a younger audience and reach new followers who may not have discovered my work on Instagram.
Overall, my success on Instagram and TikTok can be attributed to my passion for my craft, my dedication to creating high-quality content, and my willingness to engage with my followers and build a community around my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.davidminiatures.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidminiatures
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidminiaturespage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/davidminiatures