Diorama Diligence-Constructing the Worlds of Wes Anderson

Grand Budapest Hotel Model on display@Arclight Cinema-Los Angeles

Wes Anderson, master of cinematic naivete, has again charmed movie-goers with his latest film, "The Grand Budapest Hotel" now nominated for 9 Academy Awards, including Best Achievement in Production Design and Best Picture.

The film features many large scale model miniatures constructed by a talented team and led by Berlin based model/prop maker Simon Weisse.

The excellent Cinefex Magazine blog features an in depth interview with Mr. Weisse about his work on the film and also includes some great behind the scenes stories and photos. http://cinefex.com/blog/the-grand-budapest-hotel/

http://www.simonweisse.de

http://www.simonweisse.de

http://www.simonweisse.de

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Magical Paper Dioramas

Hari Panicker & Deepti Nair, are an artist couple, originally from India and currently based out of Denver, Colorado, whose hand-cut paper dioramas tell stories of adventure, travel and magical places.
Hari & Deepti have evolved an intricate paper-cutting style, partly inspired by Balinese shadow puppets, that incorporates back-lit light boxes using flexible LED strip lights. The effect is a stunning 3-D world that comes to glowing life.
Their work is available at the Black Book Gallery Website.
And more photos can be seen on their Instagram page.

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Daily Miniature Photo Calendar by Tanaka Tatsuya

Japanese artist Tanaka Tatsuya has been keeping a miniature calendar since 2011 and posting daily photos of his tiny creations.  

Incorporating food and everyday objects, his work runs the spectrum from whimsical and playful to darker and more contemplative of deeper social themes.

 Be Sure to check the artists facebook page for daily updates.

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Miniature Christmas Village History and Modern Makers

The tradition of setting up magical Christmas Villages on tabletops and mantels across America, began as a tradition of the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination, and has continued to evolve over the last 130 years.
Originally set under the Christmas tree, 'Putz' houses, as they were called, were typically made from cardboard and mostly manufactured in Japan and Germany. For a thorough history of Christmas Villages, visit Family Christmas Online and for instructions on how to build your own glittered 'Putz' house visit Cardboard Christmas.

DIY-Putz Houses from Cardboard Christmas

Department 56 Ceramics https://www.department56.com/home.do

Modern Makers of the the ceramic Christmas Villages, which have become staples for the American Christmas Collector, include Department 56, a Minnesota based company whose collections range from their original Snow Village, Dickens Village, Alpine Village, to more contemporary themed villages like Disney's Frozen and Downton Abbey.

Department 56 Dickens Village

Department 56 Alpine Village

Department 56-Downton Abbey Village

Lemax Christmas Village

Another growing Christmas collectibles maker Lemax, offers merry miniaturists a variety of villages, including a Victorian Christmas Village, Santa's Wonderland, Vail Village, Caddington Village, and numerous collectible enhancements and figurines sure to complete your Christmas Village wonderland.

Lemax-Santa's Wonderland

Lemax Vail Village

Lemax Caddington Collection

 And finally, the Bradford Exchange, is also a great source for limited edition collectibles, especially if your taste ranges a bit outside of Christmas. Their wide array of collectible collections include the Nightmare Before Christmas Village, Star Wars Galatic Village and Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village collectibles. 

Bradford Exchange-Nightmare Before Christmas Collection

Bradford Exchange-Star Wars Galactic Village

Thomas Kinkade-Christmas House-Bradford Exchange

So, if you haven't started your miniature village collection, perhaps one of these collections will inspire future Holidays full of magical miniatures and diorama dreams. Happy Holidays!

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Haunted Dimensions-The Model Papercraft of Ray Keim

Looking to get your spook on and create an awesome paper craft project? Head over to Ray Keim's Haunted Dimensions -"a gateway for art, news related to Disney's haunted mansion attractions, the haunt industry, FREE spooky 3D paper models, gingerbread architecture, photologs of "haunted" places and all things Halloweeny."-haunteddimensions.raykeim.com

Ray Keim, an artist and 3D modeler/designer (and also part of the Halloween Horror Nights Orlando Design Team) has put together a Spooktacular website full of free downloadable papercraft/scale modeling goodies like this  Bates House Paper Model

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim 

Or how about the Infamous Amityville Paper House?

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim

Or Maybe you prefer a Classic a Haunted Mansion or Manor?

http://www.haunteddimensions.raykeim.com/index380.html

http://www.haunteddimensions.raykeim.com/index412.html

Each download kit available on Haunted Dimensions comes with a list of supplies and instructions to help you build the Horror House of your dreams (or nightmares).

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim

 Also be sure to check out the fan gallery of user submitted photos for more Spooky Inspiration.

Haunted Dimensions-Ray Keim

Haunted Dimensions Ray Keim

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