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Hanna Woodring has been accepted into the Royal Miniature Society

"The art of the small painting" by Christina Knorz, Bayreuth, Germany

The coat of arms on its own makes an impression: the letterhead sports a bona fide coat of arms with two rampant martens and an elephant. The contents of the letter were a genuine sensation for Hanna Woodring. " I had already given up hope". Now it's official. The artist, currently living in Bayreuth, is the newest member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS). She is the only member from Germany in this distinguished British club.

The miniature painting exhibitions usually provide magnifying glasses for the viewers.

The Royal Miniature Society jury projects all of the entries onto a screen, in order to view them in a larger size. They must hold up to scrutiny, even in the enlarged version.
Foto: Karl Heinz Lammel


Knighthood for a miniature painter:
The artist, who now resides in Bayreuth, will be able to print "Hanna Woodring RMS" on her calling cards in the future, because she has been accepted into the Royal Miniature Society. She paints her small paintings under a microscope.
Foto: Karl Heinz Lammel
As is often the case with English organizations, not everyone is accepted. Complying with the regulations is such a challenge, that a person has to have the patience of a saint in order to get through the acceptance process. Patience is something that this miniature painter has in abundance for her 6mm x 7mm paintings. After a nine-year period, her perseverance paid off. She made it.

Hanna Woodring studied Art and Art Education and until 9 years ago, she taught art in Baton Rouge, the capitol city of Louisiana, USA. At that point she decided it was the time to devote herself to her own paintings. " I thought as long as my hands are still steady and my eyes are still in good shape, this is the time to concentrate on miniatures." The reaction to the miniature paintings and the photo-realistic images of lace cloths varies. "Women frequently tell me that my paintings make them want to reach out and straighten out the cloth", laughs the artist. She hears negative comments as well. That's not modern; it's a style of painting that existed hundreds of years ago. " I can't explain why I paint the way I do. The style chose me and it is just the way I want to express myself."
Hanna Woodring is fascinated with each hole in a lace tablecloth. " Each one is a different shape. I'm interested in the actual pattern, the folds in a cloth, all of that is like a puzzle." A framework house with flower boxes at the windows, two pears on a cloth, a pewter mug on a lace tablecloth - the arrangements don't have to be complex, says the miniature painter. It's all about the details.

The British RMS has 100 members, neither more nor less. The first exhibit took place in 1896. In 1904 they received a royal charter from King Edward VII. Before new members can be accepted, one of the current members has to die off or stop exhibiting. " But they don't stop", says the painter. Once you make it, you stay, because being able to use the abbreviation RMS after your name is the equivalent of Knighthood among the miniature painters.

In the fall of every year, the RMS holds an exhibition of members work, and those who wish to be members, in a London gallery near Trafalgar Square. In order to rise to the first level of the acceptance process, the jury has to accept all five of the five paintings entered in the show, for two consecutive years. At that point, one can apply for associate membership. In order to be considered for a full membership, the artist has to tackle the next hurdle. This time the jury has to accept all six of the six paintings sent to the exhibit, again for two consecutive years. Then you are allowed to apply for full membership. " I had already given up hope", says Hanna Woodring. " I thought, I'm never going to make it in this lifetime. I was thrilled".


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