Creations by Lydia

                        Welcome! Thank you for visiting my site and taking a peek into the fascinating art of miniatures.

   What starts an artist onto the path he or she chooses to follow? It could be seeing a Monet for the first time in a gallery. It could be picking up a camera and taking that first shot. It could be attending a miniature's show and wanting to emulate a special piece seen there.  Or, it could be...taking a lump of play dough in hand.

Nearly everyone has picked up a lump of play dough at some time, but when I was little, play dough was an addiction. I credit that colorful stuff for where I am now as an artist.

   Though I can no longer remember it, my mother tells the story that as a kid I would go straight for the play dough, often leaving my quite clunky creations out to air dry (not wanting to destroy them, of course) while using up tub after tub of it. 

   When you reach eight years old, though, that colorful dough just doesn't seem to inspire as much. That's when I found Sculpey clay, and began work on tiny animals to give to family and friends. My first attempts were terribly fragile and I ended up with quite a substantial collection of broken octopus legs and penguin wings before discovering a stronger clay called Premo. From there I just kept teaching myself what to do next, reading countless books on technique, studying animal anatomy, making and remaking animals (and other miniatures), always reaching to go beyond what I'd learned before. There's a lot you can teach yourself, when you discover something that fascinates you. I wish I could thank in person all of the amazing miniatures artists who have inspired my work without even knowing it---I owe a great debt of gratitude to Sue Heaser, Kathleen Dewey, Joann Swanson, Kerri Pajutee, and Sylvia Mobley. If you get a chance, take a look at their websites...you'll be inspired.

    With my sculpture, each piece is created by hand and is one-of-a-kind. It can be purchased through contacting me online at lydiabenedict@gmail.com (if you see a specific piece that interests you) or through special commission (see Ordering).

   Today you will still find me hard at work on miniatures, exploring the world of life-sized sculpture, and trying to mix together all of the other aspects of life into a normal everyday schedule. My family is always there to cheer me on, offering encouragement and creative criticism when I have a bear sculpture that 'looks a little too fat' or has a 'strange-looking back leg'. I create my pieces on a daily basis and can't even begin to tell what a satisfying feeling it is to make them for fellow miniature collectors and enthusiasts---folks just like you---to enjoy. My wish is that I've brought a smile to your face with every piece I create.

 Many happinesses to you,

   Lydia