Tiny Troopers - original upcycled vintage painting

Out for patrol, these tiny troopers are so small they are the size of my thumbprint!    

This tiny painting of a village looked absolutely deserted, and I wondered why… until my son said “Storm troopers.” 

When the Empire rose to power, it slowly and methodically took control of star systems. Control would start gradually, the Empire welcomed with open arms because the danger wasn’t recognized until it was too late. Then, if there was resistance, villages like this one would see an increased show of military strength… curfews implemented, any signs of rebellion stamped out. The once vibrant streets deserted, and the scared villagers could only look on hide behind closed doors. 

So this alteration is tiny, but it captures that desperate feeling of being controlled that later lead to rebellion and freedom for the entire galaxy. 

The original vintage oil painting was collected locally in Brampton, Ontario. The original was in a rough style, on paper and very little, which is a recipe for an unforgiving process. So I practiced a lot before I started so that I could more confidently and gently paint this in one go. 

"Tiny Troopers"
altered painting by Heather Castles

vintage painting in guache on paper
16 x 18 cm antique wood frame