Delving into the delightful miniature worlds of artist Bess Whittington
Happening upon one of Bess Whittington’s shadowbox worlds is an unexpected gift. For just a moment—one that often stretches into minutes—you forget what doldrum task you were busying yourself with. You lean in to look, drawn in by color and texture, entranced by the meticulously handcrafted details, by the dance of life in a beautiful ecosystem of art.
“My father is an artist as well as an avid gardener, and I had a lot of exposure to both growing up,” reflects the thoughtful mixed-media artist. “My work is really connected to outdoor life—especially what I’d call small-scale, little micro-worlds. So when I’m making art, that’s what I’m looking at and observing. . . and it’s what I want to bring to people’s attention: There’s a whole little vignette happening with this lizard, or this little bird.”
Whittington’s sculptures combine painting and cut paper, found objects, woodworking, miniatures, and printmaking—the last of which she learned in part from her father, celebrated local printmaker Harrell Whittington. “He is even more introverted than I am,” the artist laughs. “He does lithography and etching, and I make collagraphs, which is a more primitive form of intaglio, where you’re printing the recessed areas.” All of these elements combined result in truly one-of-a-kind, original works of art—impossible to duplicate or re-create.
Curiosities of Bess Whittington
Inspired by natural history museums and the Dutch still life movement of painting forest floors, sottobosco, Whittington’s work often depicts the full circle of life in elegant metaphors: utilizing skulls to depict death, mushrooms to symbolize rebirth, winged pollinators and the winged raptors that dine on them, and so on. “It’s like a little reminder that yes, death [exists], but it makes life so much sweeter and more beautiful,” reflects Whittington.
Collectors of Whittington’s ‘cabinets of curiosities’ are often united by a love of science and the natural world, and in turn, her artwork is naturally at home in studies, libraries, and intimate parlors. “I create art for the curious, the explorers, the collectors of ephemera,” states Whittington’s website, where you can view her current collection, Wondrous Wild. Though limited, the artist plans to create more shadowboxes within the collection, which are inspired by altarpieces and reliquaries she saw on a trip to Italy.
“I really enjoy making [this collection] . . . I’m drawn to nature: I find it calming and endlessly interesting. I’m sure people are interesting, too, but I connect with nature so much more,” Whittington laughs. Though the artist is open to relevant commissions, each piece can take anywhere from 40 to 60 hours, and “my most recent work [focuses on] creatures found in fables and animal folklore,” she adds. That makes any piece of hers not only a cherished collectible—but a rare specimen indeed.
