'....the mantel of artist...." actually while we are painting/sculpting all of us are 'artists'. Some of us are very good at it and some are very bad at it. Good or bad while in the act of 'creating' we are 'artists'. It's not that hot of a 'mantel'. Howard Stern made a rare non-sexually explicit observation on art once: " Art.....you know where Art is? It's in the Un-Employment Line! "
Now, of course, when we're not creating we then are something else. Retail salesman, plumbers, bankers, maintenance men/women, cops, soldiers...butchers, bakers and candlestick makers et al.
Historical accuracy. If this is your preference and you enjoy the additional research necessary to remain true to the field, then you're a Historical Miniaturist regardless of how good a painter or sculpter you are. If you like to take 'artistic license' as a given right ( and it is ), then you're a Miniaturist regardless of your artistic abilities. You're simply not a Historical Miniaturist regardless of your pretensions.
I personally love historical accuracy in a miniature when data is available. I don't mind 'artistic license' if it remains true to the Period. Sometimes assumptions are all we have left.
I salute the Historical Miniaturist who goes the extra mile in search of truth, and if that HM is a superb painter,sculpter who adds drama to his work...I am simply in awe of him.
If a Miniaturist uses 'artistic license' for effect and tosses accuracy ( when available ) out the window...I can acknowledge his abilities ( good or bad ) but not his laziness.
When I say 'Miniaturists' I'm not including the Fantasy world which, of course, has nothing to do with this thread.
