Meet Miniature Artist Thomas Doyle

His works of art make you stop and take a closer look. Then they make you feel a bit like a voyeur of a fascinating and sometimes disturbing world. Thomas Doyle is the Katonah-based creator of these tiny scenes under glass, that fetch up to five thousand dollars apiece. The New York Times Magazine has commissioned Doyle to create miniature sculptures for the covers of its annual architecture issue and of its Book Review. Recently, he discussed the unique style of his fine art with Patch.

How did your art career lead you to create works on such a miniature scale? 

I went to art school and learned to paint and make prints. I eventually became bored with the medium. So I returned to what I was obsessed with as a kid: models and miniatures. In Michigan where I grew up, my mom took me to the museum all the time and I loved dioramas. Their size allows the viewer to feel all-powerful; one must get real close to see and discover that small world.

You create many scenes of suburban life, with houses that look like some in our neighborhood but are depicted falling into sinkholes or are surrounded by destruction. Is there a real dark side to the single family home?

The funny thing is that I created a lot of the scenes while living in a cramped apartment in New York. I use the metaphor of the house because I feel like the house is a character, like a central member of the family. It is where relationships are made, where childhood memories are worked into stories that set the stage for your life. 

One house, one family, one unit under a bubble is very powerful from a visual artist's standpoint. It is encapsulated territory.

Overall, my work has focused on themes of romantic love, man vs. nature and memories related to house/family.

Where can people see your work?

I show in galleries and museums around the world, though not in our area at the moment. I am part of a wonderful program at the Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield, CT called the Radius Program. It is a great place for regional artists to exhibit their work and network with the artist community. And my collections can be seen on my website: Thomasdoyle.net.

You have been living in Katonah for almost a year. What it is like?

Actually, it feels a bit like a diorama - in a good way! There are beautiful trees and greenery. Friendly people. I have nothing negative to say about suburban life, I love it here. Best of all, there are two great hardware stores in town. One miniature piece may take me up to three months to complete, so I am often scouring hardware stores for materials. And there is nothing like sitting on my deck drinking coffee.

Thomas Doyle draws us into his dream-like creations, stirring our feelings and memories as we peep into these worlds.  A talent this original and inspired certainly makes Katonah a richer "diorama" to live in.