Miniatura

I’m Cate, the miniature artist and model maker behind The Tiny Absurdist, where I create miniatures, dioramas and character pieces that usually have a story to tell and quite often a slightly ridiculous one.

I started model making in 2021, initially creating a 1:24 scale miniature of the room where I spent much of lockdown. Since then, what began as a hobby has grown into an ever-expanding collection of miniature worlds, unusual characters and things that probably didn’t need to exist, but which I felt compelled to make anyway.

My work combines traditional miniature making with scratch building, scenic construction, kitbashing, miniature painting and 3D printing. I also use digital tools where they’re useful, but much of the character comes from the hands-on part: adapting, building, painting, weathering and adding all those tiny details that make a piece feel like it has a life beyond the model.

This has resulted in everything from detailed miniature rooms and post-apocalyptic dioramas to character sculptures, animals and an AT-AT peacefully grazing in a field.

Storytelling and humour are a big part of what I make. Battle for the Throne, for example, brings warriors from across history together to face a shared enemy: the queue for the portable toilet. Other pieces are more atmospheric, such as my Watership Down-inspired work, where I use miniature sculpture and scenery to explore characters and stories I love.

I also create bespoke pieces for others, sometimes working from photographs to turn real animals and personal ideas into one-off miniatures.

I work from my home studio in Warwickshire and tend to learn by making, experimenting with new materials and techniques whenever a project demands them. Sometimes a piece takes an afternoon; others develop over weeks or months. I particularly enjoy the problem-solving involved in working out how on earth to make something tiny.

The Tiny Absurdist is really about making small things with big personalities, combining craftsmanship, storytelling and a healthy amount of silliness.

Come and take a closer look at Miniatura.

​