Ages ago, I wrote about something I was trying out–painting tiny miniatures.  It was something new for me, but DANG I had so much fun with it!

I mentioned in that post that I was inspired to try the tiny things after seeing the tiny cameos of Mab Graves.  Since then, I’ve chatted with her online (have I mentioned how much I love Instagram as a resource for artists???)  and we’ve sort of shared a little artwork back and forth.

If you follow her Instagram page, you’ve probably become familiar with her nephew, Ransom, and all the silly fun things they do together.  That’s when I decided to paint a tiny Ransom on a rectangular porcelain tile, 1″ x 1.5″…Well, she got the package this week, and sent me some lovely photos of it (because her light box skills are strong)…

Since I was having so much fun, I painted a few other little things.  Just because I wanted to…and because she let me.  🙂

So we were chatting once about how since my husband’s often deployed, I don’t really have many good photos of Myla and me painting together…

And when I sent a photo of another little piece I did for her, she sent me THIS:

YOU GUYS.  It’s a tiny painted cameo of Myla and me!!  With Donkey!!  And dinosaurs and bats, because that’s how Myla rolls. Maybe I can express my excitement with a few extra exclamation points:!!!   I was floored and grateful.  It’s so tiny and lovely!  It’s supposed to come in a day or two, and I  can’t wait to see it.

I’ve really been so lucky with the people I’ve met online (knockonwood).  And the artists I’ve met on Instagram–save for a random few whose ego have overtaken their personalities (and that’s okay; that’s their choice)–have been the most generous people, in sharing their ideas, resources, tips, techniques, and thoughts.   The wonderful artists I’ve met are too many to name (Lori Nelson, Sean Regalado, Annie Frenzel, Tony DiTerlizzi, Aaron McMillan, Matt Gordon, Tyler Thrasher, Kendyl Lauzon, Zach Landrum, Aletta Walker, and of course, Mab Graves, just scratch the surface of the list of artists and online friends who have helped and inspired me in some small way).  And all it really takes is a little kindness.  A little consideration.

Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most.  A friend once told me that the most precious thing you could give someone is your time.  To me, the fact that someone would take a little of their own time to spread a little kindness is one of the best kinds of things.

So if you get a chance, see if you can share a little kindness today!  Nothing big.  You can open a door.  Pick up a dropped thing up for someone.  Tell someone you like their shirt (but only if you really mean it).  Let someone in front of you in line.

Because there’s nothing at all wrong with sharing the little things.

(PS:  If anyone’s interested, I’ve put up a few offers in my etsy shop for tiny CUSTOM pendant portraits.  So if you’d like a tiny kid or pet of your own, very similar to Mab’s, check me out over there on etsy and say hello!