Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis.
“Woman with a Parasol Facing Left” by Claude Monet

Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis.

“Woman with a Parasol Facing Left” by Claude Monet

David Huynh, Savannah, Ga. “Mona Lisa” By Leonardo Da Vinci

David Huynh, Savannah, Ga. “Mona Lisa” By Leonardo Da Vinci

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif. “Portrait de Madeleine Grey a la Rose” by Kees Van Dongan

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif. “Portrait de Madeleine Grey a la Rose” by Kees Van Dongan

Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis. Rosie the Riveter

Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis. Rosie the Riveter

Lexi Majack, Racine, WI.
“The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” Johannes Vermeer

Lexi Majack, Racine, WI.

“The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” Johannes Vermeer

Cassandra Clark, Aubrey, Texas
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer

Cassandra Clark, Aubrey, Texas

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer

Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo. “Deer’s Skull with Padernal” by Georgia O’Keefe

Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo. “Deer’s Skull with Padernal” by Georgia O’Keefe

Nattalie Mcclelland, Cory, Ind.
“The Head of White Horse” by Theodore Gericault

Nattalie Mcclelland, Cory, Ind.

“The Head of White Horse” by Theodore Gericault

Heather Temple, Pittsbugh “Under One Umbrella” by Leonid Afremor

Heather Temple, Pittsbugh 
“Under One Umbrella” 
by Leonid Afremor

Lee Antolini, Somers Point, N.J. “The Weeping Woman” by Picasso

Lee Antolini, Somers Point, N.J.
“The Weeping Woman” by Picasso

Amber Takano, Rochester, Minn. “The Soul of the Rose” by John William Waterhouse

Amber Takano, Rochester, Minn. 
“The Soul of the Rose” 
by John William Waterhouse

Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla. “Solid Green” by Wassily Kandinsky

Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla.
“Solid Green” by Wassily Kandinsky

3rd Place: Kary Berger, Logan, Utah.“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali

3rd Place: Kary Berger, Logan, Utah.
“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali

Honorable Mention: Stella Sampson, Athens, Greece “Golden Tears” by Gustav Klimt

Honorable Mention: Stella Sampson, Athens, Greece 
“Golden Tears” by Gustav Klimt

Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo. “Blue Horse 1” by Franz Marc

Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo.
“Blue Horse 1” by Franz Marc

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif. “Better with Age” by Tom Fedro

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.
“Better with Age” by Tom Fedro

Honorable Mention: Jodie Rahaley, Saylorsburg, Penn. “Barbie as the Art of Le Portrait de Dora...

Honorable Mention: Jodie Rahaley, Saylorsburg, Penn.
“Barbie as the Art of Le Portrait de Dora Maar” by Jocelyne Grivaud

Adelaida Guzman, Camden, NJ.
“Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers,” by Vincent Van Gogh

Adelaida Guzman, Camden, NJ.

“Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers,” by Vincent Van Gogh

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.  "Interlude" by Tom Fedro

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.  "Interlude" by Tom Fedro

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla.
Peggy by Craig and Karl.

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla.

Peggy by Craig and Karl.

Lee Antolini, Somors Point, NJ.
“Woman in Hat and Fur Collar,” by Picasso

Lee Antolini, Somors Point, NJ.

“Woman in Hat and Fur Collar,” by Picasso

Rachael Peterson, Rochester, Minn. “Turquoise Marilyn” by Andy Warhol

Rachael Peterson, Rochester, Minn. “Turquoise Marilyn” by Andy Warhol

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso

Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla.
“Ragattas at Argenteuil” by Claude Monet

Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla.

“Ragattas at Argenteuil” by Claude Monet

Beth Shistle, Deland, Fla.
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer

Beth Shistle, Deland, Fla.

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.
“Carmen Vincente Dansant” by Kees Van Dongan

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.

“Carmen Vincente Dansant” by Kees Van Dongan

Shona McBride, “Balloon Girl” by Banksy.

Shona McBride, “Balloon Girl” by Banksy.

Tanya Ross, Fayetteville, NC.
“When Will You Marry?” by Paul Gauguin

Tanya Ross, Fayetteville, NC.

“When Will You Marry?” by Paul Gauguin

Amanda Viviers, Tokoroa, New Zealand
“The Son of Man” by Rene Magritte

Amanda Viviers, Tokoroa, New Zealand

“The Son of Man” by Rene Magritte

Tanya Rose, Central City Ky.
“Sky and Water” by M.C. Escher.

Tanya Rose, Central City Ky.

“Sky and Water” by M.C. Escher.

Honorable Mention: Knieya Peterson, Temecula, Calif. “Medusa” by Leonardo Da Vinci

Honorable Mention: Knieya Peterson, Temecula, Calif.
“Medusa” by Leonardo Da Vinci

Honorable Mention: Lisa Bennett, Bakersfield, Calif. “La Belle Dame sans Merci” by Sir Frank Dicksee

Honorable Mention: Lisa Bennett, Bakersfield, Calif.
“La Belle Dame sans Merci”
by Sir Frank Dicksee

2nd Place: Jessica Warzyniak, Crown Point, Ind. “Unconditional Love Krampus” by Travis Louie

2nd Place: Jessica Warzyniak, Crown Point, Ind.
“Unconditional Love Krampus” by Travis Louie

Kirsten Watkiss, Taranaki, New Zealand“Government Property” by Banksy

Kirsten Watkiss, Taranaki, New Zealand
“Government Property” by Banksy

Melody Torres, Manteca, Calif. “American Gothic” by Grant Wood

Melody Torres, Manteca, Calif.
“American Gothic” by Grant Wood

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Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis.
“Woman with a Parasol Facing Left” by Claude Monet
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Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis.

“Woman with a Parasol Facing Left” by Claude Monet

David Huynh, Savannah, Ga. “Mona Lisa” By Leonardo Da Vinci
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David Huynh, Savannah, Ga. “Mona Lisa” By Leonardo Da Vinci

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif. “Portrait de Madeleine Grey a la Rose” by Kees Van Dongan
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Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif. “Portrait de Madeleine Grey a la Rose” by Kees Van Dongan

Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis. Rosie the Riveter
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Lexi Majack, Racine, Wis. Rosie the Riveter

Lexi Majack, Racine, WI.
“The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” Johannes Vermeer
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Lexi Majack, Racine, WI.

“The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” Johannes Vermeer

Cassandra Clark, Aubrey, Texas
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer
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Cassandra Clark, Aubrey, Texas

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer

Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo. “Deer’s Skull with Padernal” by Georgia O’Keefe
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Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo. “Deer’s Skull with Padernal” by Georgia O’Keefe

Nattalie Mcclelland, Cory, Ind.
“The Head of White Horse” by Theodore Gericault
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Nattalie Mcclelland, Cory, Ind.

“The Head of White Horse” by Theodore Gericault

Heather Temple, Pittsbugh “Under One Umbrella” by Leonid Afremor
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Heather Temple, Pittsbugh 
“Under One Umbrella” 
by Leonid Afremor

Lee Antolini, Somers Point, N.J. “The Weeping Woman” by Picasso
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Lee Antolini, Somers Point, N.J.
“The Weeping Woman” by Picasso

Amber Takano, Rochester, Minn. “The Soul of the Rose” by John William Waterhouse
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Amber Takano, Rochester, Minn. 
“The Soul of the Rose” 
by John William Waterhouse

Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla. “Solid Green” by Wassily Kandinsky
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Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla.
“Solid Green” by Wassily Kandinsky

3rd Place: Kary Berger, Logan, Utah.“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali
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3rd Place: Kary Berger, Logan, Utah.
“The Persistence of Memory” by Salvador Dali

Honorable Mention: Stella Sampson, Athens, Greece “Golden Tears” by Gustav Klimt
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Honorable Mention: Stella Sampson, Athens, Greece 
“Golden Tears” by Gustav Klimt

Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo. “Blue Horse 1” by Franz Marc
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Jennifer Hans, Englewood, Colo.
“Blue Horse 1” by Franz Marc

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif. “Better with Age” by Tom Fedro
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Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.
“Better with Age” by Tom Fedro

Honorable Mention: Jodie Rahaley, Saylorsburg, Penn. “Barbie as the Art of Le Portrait de Dora...
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Honorable Mention: Jodie Rahaley, Saylorsburg, Penn.
“Barbie as the Art of Le Portrait de Dora Maar” by Jocelyne Grivaud

Adelaida Guzman, Camden, NJ.
“Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers,” by Vincent Van Gogh
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Adelaida Guzman, Camden, NJ.

“Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers,” by Vincent Van Gogh

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.  "Interlude" by Tom Fedro
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Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.  "Interlude" by Tom Fedro

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla.
Peggy by Craig and Karl.
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Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla.

Peggy by Craig and Karl.

Lee Antolini, Somors Point, NJ.
“Woman in Hat and Fur Collar,” by Picasso
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Lee Antolini, Somors Point, NJ.

“Woman in Hat and Fur Collar,” by Picasso

Rachael Peterson, Rochester, Minn. “Turquoise Marilyn” by Andy Warhol
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Rachael Peterson, Rochester, Minn. “Turquoise Marilyn” by Andy Warhol

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso
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Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso

Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso
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Rosa Vargas, Palm Springs, Fla. “Spanish Culture Painting” by Picasso

Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla.
“Ragattas at Argenteuil” by Claude Monet
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Vickie Chilla, Eustis, Fla.

“Ragattas at Argenteuil” by Claude Monet

Beth Shistle, Deland, Fla.
“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer
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Beth Shistle, Deland, Fla.

“Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer

Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.
“Carmen Vincente Dansant” by Kees Van Dongan
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Jennifer Guthrie, Claremont, Calif.

“Carmen Vincente Dansant” by Kees Van Dongan

Shona McBride, “Balloon Girl” by Banksy.
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Shona McBride, “Balloon Girl” by Banksy.

Tanya Ross, Fayetteville, NC.
“When Will You Marry?” by Paul Gauguin
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Tanya Ross, Fayetteville, NC.

“When Will You Marry?” by Paul Gauguin

Amanda Viviers, Tokoroa, New Zealand
“The Son of Man” by Rene Magritte
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Amanda Viviers, Tokoroa, New Zealand

“The Son of Man” by Rene Magritte

Tanya Rose, Central City Ky.
“Sky and Water” by M.C. Escher.
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Tanya Rose, Central City Ky.

“Sky and Water” by M.C. Escher.

Honorable Mention: Knieya Peterson, Temecula, Calif. “Medusa” by Leonardo Da Vinci
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Honorable Mention: Knieya Peterson, Temecula, Calif.
“Medusa” by Leonardo Da Vinci

Honorable Mention: Lisa Bennett, Bakersfield, Calif. “La Belle Dame sans Merci” by Sir Frank Dicksee
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Honorable Mention: Lisa Bennett, Bakersfield, Calif.
“La Belle Dame sans Merci”
by Sir Frank Dicksee

2nd Place: Jessica Warzyniak, Crown Point, Ind. “Unconditional Love Krampus” by Travis Louie
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2nd Place: Jessica Warzyniak, Crown Point, Ind.
“Unconditional Love Krampus” by Travis Louie

Kirsten Watkiss, Taranaki, New Zealand“Government Property” by Banksy
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Kirsten Watkiss, Taranaki, New Zealand
“Government Property” by Banksy

Melody Torres, Manteca, Calif. “American Gothic” by Grant Wood
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Melody Torres, Manteca, Calif.
“American Gothic” by Grant Wood

Congratulations to this year’s Mini Masterpiece winner Stella Sampson, who skillfully captured the fine details and striking colors of “Audubon” by Marjorie Sarnat, a painting sure to win over any cat lover (and the judges). This year’s contest received dozens of amazing entries featuring art from Dali to Banksy.  

Meet the Winner

Nail artist and chemical engineer Stella Sampson looks for a challenge when it comes to nail art. “I am the type of person who loves to take note of all the tiny details,” she says. “I’ve always liked complex designs and in the beginning I would find it very hard to achieve the desired result.” That’s why she chose “Audubon” by Marjorie Sarnat, part of the artist’s “Kleo Kats” series, for her winning Mini Masterpiece. “I love this decorative style in a painting,” she says. “This cat combines a Klimt-inspired style in a more contemporary depiction with a plethora of patterns, textures, and colors.”

To create the tiny details, she started with a white acrylic paint base and sketched the design in pencil before adding the colors and details. She chose a matte top coat to make the nail look more like a real painting. To paint such small designs, “it was vital I found the ideal brush for what I wanted to paint, she explains. “I realized that it didn’t need to be extremely thin as long as it was firm.” She also dilutes acrylic paints with a little bit of water to make it easier to create very fine lines.

Sampson has great advice for anyone thinking of entering Mini Masterpiece in the future: “If you never try it, you’ll never know if you are good at it. If you try and fail, you can get some extra lessons and try again. The most important thing is never ever giving up!”

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