West Sussex artist will create your home in miniature

William Davies uses his stop motion animation background to create the pieces which have won many admirers.

Williams invites people to take photos of their houses and email them to him.

He will then come up with a quote and, if the quote is accepted, he will then make the model.

28-year-old William, who was born in Chichester attended Bishop Luffa School.

“While at school, I was particularly influenced by my art teacher Elaine Morgan and also, during this time, by Jayne Sandys-Renton, who taught after-school art lessons at Chichester University.

“Following school, I took an art and design foundation course at Portsmouth University. From there I took animation at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, specialising in stop motion animation.

“I have experienced all elements of the delivery of a stop motion animation film, including the making of sets and props.

“On occasion this included the making of houses, and this catalysed the idea of miniature homes.

“I particularly liked the idea of providing an opportunity for house owners, when moving on, possibly as a result of downsizing, to take with them something tangible to remind them of the past and memories associated with a much-loved former home and the raising of families and all the time and experience connected with a home.

“And it is something which can be handed down to future generations.

“One practical consequence of my enterprise has been the ability to utilise items and materials where it has been possible to provide them with a new lease of life.

“Every house starts with a wooden base and frame, which I design and build. Each roof tile and brick is individually cut by hand and carefully attached.

“The process involves use of modelling tools, scalpels and tweezers.

“All building materials are hand painted and weathered to reflect the lived-in look of the original building.

“One of the joys of living in this beautiful city is the being surrounded by magnificent historical buildings, including the cathedral.

“This has all been inspirational in my work,” William says.

“I find the use of various materials in buildings particularly interesting, including flint walls and features which I am able to reproduce in my models.

“I ask my clients to send photographs of their property from all angles, including close-ups of any unusual features they would like me to include.

“And then I spend, on average, one to two weeks making it – although more complex buildings can take substantially longer – before posting it to them.

“I can make a house as a full 3D model, of roughly seven inches in height, or as a semi-3D picture framed model showing the front of a house.

“I use a variety of materials including hardboard for the base, wood, bamboo, foamboard, greyboard, balsa, wire, Fillite, various glues and acrylic paint.”

Examples of William’s work can be found at www.homeinminiature.com. You can contact him on [email protected].