Big talent on a small scale

By Michele Miller, Times Staff Writer

An old barn in Switzerland. A colorful mountainous landscape in Tuscany. An abandoned hotel once frequented by Babe Ruth. A wooded scene somewhere in New Jersey.

It's hard to imagine how scenes of such intricate detail could fit onto a 3- by 5-inch or 4- by 6-inch canvas. But John Angelini, 87, does it with a steady hand and paintbrushes as fine as the tip of a ballpoint pen.

Patrons of the Hudson Regional Library will have the opportunity to check out 32 of Angelini's miniature paintings and drawings at a special exhibit on display through the end of the month.

The Hudson artist used to employ a large magnifying glass to help him create some of the tiny scenes. But after two cataract and two lens implant surgeries, he says he manages fine these days without one.

Some of his miniatures have traveled the world. His Store Front in St. Augustine has been seen throughout the country as part of the Miniature Art Society of America's traveling show. Door and Window with Geraniums was featured in the World Miniature Show in Tasmania. Little Flower Bed was on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Others made it to art exhibits at the Olympics in Japan and Australia.

"His paintings get around more than he does," said his wife, Liz, 66.

Angelini, who grew up in the Bronx, has been at it "forever," painting landscapes and abstracts along with pencil drawings that have been featured in solo art shows in New York, New Jersey and at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

Angelini served in the Army during World War II, went to the Newark School of Industrial Arts on the G.I. Bill and spent 30 years as the art director in a packaging company in Paterson, N.J. Painting miniatures came later in life.

It was about 28 years ago, shortly after Angelini and his wife moved to Florida, that the couple attended a miniature art show exhibit at the old Kapok Tree in Clearwater.

"I said, 'I can do that.' "

And he did.

"I submitted three paintings that year," he said. "And I sold two. It was a very auspicious year for me."

He has been at it ever since.