Prominent Greek miniature artist Andreas Rousounelis started his handmade artwork as a hobby seven years ago, before he became a professional miniature artist.

Although Rousounelis studied graphic design, he fell in love with handmade miniatures. Rousounelis wants to deliver a message through his artwork by highlighting the importance of art in our world and its positive effect on our lives.

“I make different miniatures every season. I prefer Greek themes for the summer and abandoned scenes for the other seasons,” Rousounelis told Ahram Online, adding that he uses light colours for Greek dioramas and dark colours for abandoned scenes. As for materials, Rousounelis uses paper, plastic and wood.

Abandoned doors and sceneries are Rousounelis’s favourite artwork, and he takes his ideas from photos and makes scale models of buildings, streets, cars and trucks.

Rousounelis describes his art style as hyperrealism, and his inspiration comes from Greek architecture, mostly the Cyclades architecture.

Rousounelis emphasised that most of the costumers who are interested in miniatures, are art collectors. He also agrees that the future is for online shopping especially in the era of the pandemic, which he prefers as he can show and display his work to everyone around the world.

“A piece of artwork can positively change the atmosphere and add good energy, if it fits and matches the style of the place and surroundings, whether in the house or in the office,” he says.

Rousounelis’s favourite artists are French miniature artist Ronan Jim Sevellec and the French photographer and miniature artist Charles Matton.

“My favourite pieces of my artwork are the abandoned kitchen and the abandoned stone house,” said Rousounelis, adding that his dream is that someday one of his handmade artwork will be displayed in an art museum. He advises all new artists to love the art and choose their own style.

According to Rousounelis, people like to see their houses made in miniature or scale models, including some tourists who visit Greek islands and collect souvenirs. The artist has many clients from all over the world, including from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Currently, he is working on a new miniature project which is an old house on Naxos Island in Greece. It takes him one week to two months to finish a piece, depending on the project’s details.

“This kind of art is very interesting because we can have our world in miniature form,” said Rousounelis emphasising that he prefers classical and traditional architecture, and wishes to make a scale model of the Grand Britain hotel in Syntygma Square, Athens, which is built in the Victorian style.

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