Making tiny paintings is especially difficult for this artist — that's why she does it

Arlene Webber has a big personality, which is quite out of scale with her tiny dainty paintings of landscapes chock-full of painstaking detail. The canvases have an emotional density that's bigger than their physical size — inside each canvas is a story, memory or trip.

At the best of times, making miniature paintings is a difficult task for any artist. But for Webber, it's a deliberately challenging exercise. About 20 years ago, Webber suffered a minor stroke that left her with a permanent movement disorder, called dystonia, in her right wrist. It means that gripping a paintbrush is very difficult.

Arlene Webber's tiny paintings

7 years ago

Duration 4:57

At the best of times, making miniature paintings is a difficult task for any artist. But for Webber, it's a deliberately challenging exercise.

So Webber brought her over-the-top positivity and energy to bear on practicing her fine motor skills without the brace. She pushes herself to do what she's not sure she'll be good at — and she's chosen painting on small canvases particularly because it's taxing for her.

In this video, Webber invites you into studio and into her method, which involves plenty of trial and error but results in the charming paintings that are flying off the shelves at local store The Makers Keep.

Watch CBC Arts: Exhibitionists on Friday nights at 11:30pm (12am NT) and Sundays at 3:30pm (4pm NT) on CBC Television.