by Debra Keirce
As I was painting a piece I’m calling Horsepower, I found myself thinking about how we had to adapt from horse-drawn wagons to automobiles for our national highways to function. We had to get more specific about addresses on postcards as towns became more populated. Every time we surge forward, we have to pivot. We can’t predict what we will need to change, but we know that change is always on the horizon. It’s so easy to abandon ship and start anew every time change is required. But perseverance is so much more rewarding if we can just figure out a way to persist.
In my own quest to focus my art career and devote my resources to prioritized goals, I decided to zero in. I create oil paintings and charcoal drawings. I work in tightly rendered realism, depicting any and all subjects. And I specialize in miniature and small works. These are the spaces I persevere in. I devote my time, money, and efforts to getting better at doing them. When I have obstacles, I am committed to overcoming them. When I encounter losses, I figure out ways to get back into the winning lane again.
Maybe for you, the focus is Western art, life-sized paintings, museum installations. Whatever your passion is, it’s a proven marketing fact that the fewer specialties you promote, the easier it is to build and promote your brand. It’s like going to a Five Guys restaurant. In this world of change, people enjoy knowing exactly what to expect. We all have areas of expertise that draw us in. In my case, I have continued to nurture a deep love for miniature fine art. It has a rich, beautiful history that dates back to the scribes who created elaborately illustrated manuscripts in the Dark Ages, and the European masters who rendered intricate pocket-sized portraits.
Today’s miniatures can be created in almost any 2D or 3D medium. Generally, the rule of thumb is 25 square inches or less for paintings and drawings, 8 inches or less for sculptures, and 1/6 life-size or smaller for subjects. Both representational and abstract art of all subjects are welcome, and most exhibitions are international.
If you’ve never considered “going small,” let me share a few reasons why I continue, for almost 30 years now, to put so much love and effort into painting and drawing in little:
- Incredible Sell-Through Rates: Generally, at least 1 in 3 pieces sell in each show.
- Low Overhead: Framing, shipping, and supply costs are minimal.
- Space-Saving: The studio space required for creating them is beautifully small.
- An Amazing Community: Miniature artists are a wonderful, tight-knit group. You see the same friendly faces frequently, making it easy to develop deep lifelong friendships and working relationships.
- Skill Building: In my experience, creating art in little has drastically improved my larger-scale works.
I really wanted to draw attention to this specific, magical corner of the art world because I spend so much of my life here. I am shamelessly trying to promote the miniature fine art genre in the hopes that some of you will join me there! But even if minis aren’t your thing, I hope you can use this as a metaphor. Think about ways to highlight specific areas of your own art experience. Once you identify them, start brainstorming ways you can build more tenacity in those specific niches. If you prioritize just a few goals, overcoming challenges to achieving them often seems less daunting. You just never know where brainstorming a specific genre and being determined to persevere in it might lead you.
With that said, I would love for you to consider entering a few incredible miniature fine art exhibitions! If I’ve sparked your curiosity, here are three fantastic shows that I highly recommend throwing your hat into:
1. The Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF)
This is the largest miniature exhibition in the world. I had the absolute honor of judging the show in 2025, and we had over 600 stunning entries with 64 awards. I highly recommend visiting their website to see the caliber of work and check out what sold or won awards in the latest exhibition. (It only took about 25 years of persistence before I was asked to judge the show.)
Look out for next year’s entry form in August, with a late-September deadline for shipping work. Grab the prospectus and start brainstorming what pieces you want to create! You can enter up to 6 works, regardless of which country you live in.
- Website: miniatureartsocietyofflorida.com
- Bonus: Follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for announcements—I manage the social media, so come say hi!
2. The Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS) (Maryland)
This is the oldest international miniature exhibition in America, and it is a truly prestigious, beautifully run show. You can enter up to 3 pieces each year. Their website is a goldmine of inspiration where you can see exactly which works won or sold in the last exhibit. The entry form and prospectus are available now, with an early September deadline for shipped work. (I have been entering this exhibition that takes place about 45 min from me, for about 20 years now.)
- Website: mpsgs.org
3. Seaside Art Gallery International Miniature Show (North Carolina)
Since I am plugging the wonderful mini shows I am closely affiliated with, I have to mention this one. Held every May (with a mid-April deadline for shipped work), this show is an excellent, welcoming introduction to the miniature world. Full disclosure: I was the judge here several years ago! (I have been an artist at the gallery since 2011, and I have been entering the miniature show since about 2008.) It is a unique show because it is judged, but not juried. This means all work that meets the prospectus criteria will be displayed in the show. It’s an incredible opportunity to get your work on a gallery wall. There are 17 awards chosen by the judge, and you can view images of all the sold and awarded pieces from the most recent show on their site.
- Website: seasideart.com
If you have a unique area of expertise or a specific niche that you love, please share it in the comments below! How long have you been working at it? Inquiring minds want to know. I’m sure not everyone is interested in going small, but I would love to hear about the specific spaces you are carving out for yourselves. Let’s inspire each other!
