Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Using tools of his own making, and a GREAT deal of patience, British artist Willard Wigan crafts micro-sculptures, some of which can't even be seen with the naked eye. Each piece - fairies, animals, movie stars - typically sits framed in the eye of a needle, or on the head of a pin.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Artist at Work

Growing up in Birmingham, England, Wigan struggled with dyslexia and learning disabilities — and a cold-hearted schoolteacher who belittled him, making him feel small and branding him a failure.

He sought solace in constructing tiny sculptures, such as houses for ants. His mother guided him to making "small" synonymous with success.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

The words "Shaq" and "diminutive" have never been used in the same sentence. But they go together here in this rendition of 7'1" basketball star Shaquille O'Neal.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Seeing Is Believing

"Put a guy like me into a little pin? That's crazy!" said O'Neal, who viewed himself (via microscope) at a showing of Wigan's work. "I can't do it! Took him seven weeks? Probably take me 17 years!"

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Horse and Rider

Wigan improvises his own tools - the hairs of a fly for a paint brush.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Needs the Bottle Labeled "Drink Me"

Hazards of the job: While recreating Lewis Carroll's fabled characters, Wigan accidentally inhaled a tiny Alice.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

The Littlest Tramp

"When I decided to pluck out one of my eyelashes, I looked at it and I said, 'Hmm, could I do a sculpture on the end of an eyelash?' So I decided to create Charlie Chaplinm," Wigan said. "It looks like a seesaw, that he's on a type of seesaw, because the eyelash is like that. So he's like levitating almost."

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Dragon

His tiny creations go for big money - up to $150,000.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

I'm Henry the Eighth I Am

Royalty in display: King Henry VIII and his six wives, heads still intact.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Marilyn

The iconic Hollywood blond.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Steer

Everything may be bigger in Texas, but this Longhorn steer is truly unique.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

Titanic

It wouldn't take an ice cube to sink this Titanic.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art

And Your Little Dog, Too!

Atlanta art collector Abe Levin bought this "Wizard of Oz" sculpture for $75,000, which he considers a bargain. "I call it the eighth wonder of the world," Levin said.

For more wondrous creations visit the artist's Web site at willard-wigan.com.

Willard Wigan's Micro Art