TinyGallery Notes — Issue #1
A little corner of the internet for miniature art, big feelings, and the artists who make them.
Hi friends —
This is the very first TinyGallery note. Which feels a bit like opening the door to a studio that’s been quietly humming for months. Brushes in jars. Paint on sleeves. A few hundred tiny paintings stacked in little piles.
I’ve been wanting a place to share what’s happening around TinyGallery beyond the marketplace itself — the artists we love, the materials they’re using, and the small ideas we’re experimenting with to make the space better for artists and collectors.
So this is that. Casual notes. Community updates. The occasional art supply obsession.
Think of it like a tiny studio newsletter.
(And if this landed in your inbox by mistake, you can unsubscribe anytime with the link at the bottom!)
Let’s get into it.
🎨 Brand Partnerships (and Sample Giveaways!!!)
Usually I like to save the best for last, but I’m too excited about this announcement!!
One thing I kept noticing while spending time around ACEO artists: people care deeply about their materials.
When you’re painting on a 2.5 × 3.5 inch surface, every pigment, brush, and scrap of paper matters. A lot. There’s nowhere to hide on something that small.
So we’re starting something I’m really excited about — monthly brand partnerships with independent art supply companies we genuinely love.
Each month we’ll partner with a brand and send some sample kits to TinyGallery Pro sellers so artists can discover new materials and art brands to support. Who doens’t love free art materials?! And these aren’t cheap freebies — they’re art supplies made by independent art businesses with a high bar for quality.
Think of it as a little materials discovery club.
(Also: supporting thoughtful small businesses alongside small artists just feels right.)
🌈 April Giveaway: Peerless Watercolors
We’re SO excited to introduct our very first partner: Peerless Watercolors — and honestly, I could not think of a more perfect brand to start with.
If you’ve spent any time around watercolor artists online, chances are you’ve seen those tiny little sheets of intensely pigmented paint tucked into travel palettes. That’s them.
Peerless has one of those stories that makes you pause for a second.
The paints were originally developed in 1885 by a chemist named Chaz Nicholson (yes — 1885). The original purpose? Coloring black-and-white photographs back when photography was still finding its footing. How cool is that!
Turns out watercolor artists quickly realized the paints were something special. Bright, portable, and incredibly concentrated. And just like that, a photography tool quietly became a beloved watercolor medium.
Today the company is run by Cassie and Dalton, who took over the family business in 2019 — making them the fifth stewards of Peerless paints. Still small. Still handmade. Still run by a tight-knit team who genuinely care about getting vibrant, portable colors into the hands of artists.
For April, they’ve generously partnered with us to give away:
15 Peerless watercolor sample kits to TinyGallery Pro artists.
If you’re someone who likes sketching on the go, painting outdoors, or just keeping a tiny palette nearby for spontaneous art moments… you’re probably going to love these.
Winners will be selected randomly from Pro sellers and announced next month.
We’ll be show some sneak peeks of their products soon on social media, so keep your eyes peeled… 👀
💡 Free Idea (for artists):
If you win a kit, try making a “tiny color study series” — one ACEO per color. A grid of mini paintings built from just a single pigment. Simple concept, very collectible.
Collectors love seeing process experiments like that.
✨ TinyGallery Days (0% Fees)
Another experiment we’re starting soon: TinyGallery Days.
For one day only, all seller fees drop to 0% — for both free and Pro sellers.
No platform cut. Artists keep everything.
We’ll announce these about a week in advance so sellers can plan listings (and let any ongoing bids wrap up beforehand).
My hope is these days feel a little like a miniature art festival. New pieces appearing everywhere. Collectors wandering around discovering artists they haven’t seen before.
Also… let’s be honest… it’s fun to occasionally break your own fee model.
🎟️ Free Credit Drops for New Collectors
TinyGallery has been growing mostly through artists inviting other artists. Which I love — but it also means we want to bring more collectors into the ecosystem.
So occasionally we’ll run Free Credit Days.
Example:
$5 TinyGallery credits for the first 50 new collectors who sign up.
Just enough to place a first bid or pick up a tiny piece.
Sometimes all someone needs to become a miniature art collector is that first painting arriving in the mail.
(Ask anyone who owns an ACEO. They multiply. Quickly!!)
🌍 Opening to International Sellers
One of the most common emails I get is some variation of:
“I’m in Germany / UK / Canada / Ireland / Greece — can I sell here yet?”
Short answer: very soon.
We’re working through the logistics of payments, shipping expectations, and making sure the platform works smoothly across borders.
But the goal is simple: TinyGallery should reflect the global miniature art community, not just one country.
If you’re an international artist who’s been waiting — stay tuned.
🏆 Weekly Tiny Challenges
We’re also introducing something small but fun: The Tiny Challenge. (Thanks Ninthhouseoracle for the idea!)
Each week we’ll share a prompt — and artists can create a miniature artwork inspired by it.
At the end of the week we’ll select a few favorites to feature across:
the TinyGallery newsletter
the blog
and our social channels
Not a competition so much as a creative nudge.
It’s a weekly excuse to make something tiny. :)
A Small Thank You
If you’re reading this, you’re probably part of the early TinyGallery community.
Which means you’ve helped shape this cute little corner of the art internet already — whether you realized it or not.
Artists listing their first ACEOs. Collectors discovering artists they’ve never seen before. People building tiny bodies of work.
It’s been really special to watch.
And honestly… I’m excited for what happens next.
One question before I go:
What kinds of things would you actually enjoy seeing in these notes?
Reply in the comments or send me an email — I read everything!!
More soon. 🎨
So loving all of this & can’t wait to be part of the TG community representing Ireland Ireland ☘️🇮🇪
I love this! Just found this today and taking it all in! Can’t wait to post some of my artwork!