Why I Create Small Art (And Why I Love It)

Most of my artwork is pretty small. Like, really small. The biggest pieces I usually create are around 5x7 inches and many are even smaller than that, down to 2.5x3.5 inches.

So, why do I make small art?

Well, there are a bunch of reasons.

First, my studio space has seriously shrunk since my full-time art days. I just don’t have the room for giant canvases anymore, and that’s totally okay.

Second, I’ve been craving more mobility with my art. I wanted something I could easily take with me whether it’s a trip to the park, a coffee shop, or just working from a cozy corner. Small art basically turns my setup into a mobile studio. Lately, I’ve really wanted to create more outdoors, and this makes that possible.

Third, there’s something personal and intimate about small art. It feels like it belongs in close-up spaces like on a bookshelf, a nightstand, or a desk. These are the spots where we keep things that mean something to us. I like that.

Also, and this one’s big for me, I have adult ADHD. My brain likes to jump around. With small pieces, I can usually finish something in a few hours before my focus starts to drift. It keeps the process fun and manageable, without feeling like I’m chained to a single piece for days or weeks.

Another reason? When I used to do art events, I kept hearing people say they didn’t have space for large art. That stuck with me. So I started making work that felt like it fit in real homes, real lives.

And honestly? The biggest reason is just that I enjoy it. I love how small art invites you in. You have to get up close to really see it. There’s something intimate and almost secretive about that. It feels like a quiet moment between the piece and the viewer.

So, yeah. That’s why I create small art. It fits me. And maybe, it fits you too.