It requires a lot of talent and a little bit of nerve to take on the world’s greatest masters. These bold nail artists rolled up their sleeves, gathered their finest brushes, and attempted to re-create a famous work of art on a nail tip to compete in this year’s Mini-Masterpiece Contest. As you’ll see, the results are astounding.

Meet the Winner

It was an iconic American image that caught the eye of internationally known nail tech and frequent NAILS cover artist Elsbeth Schuetz. In 1942, Pittsburgh artist J. Howard Miller was hired by the Westinghouse Company’s War Production Coordinating Committee to create a series of posters for the war effort. It was Schuetz’s nail-tip-sized version Miller’s poster titled “We Can Do It” that made her this year’s top vote-getter. She was drawn to its theme and its implications today. “It portrayed confidence that with hard work we can overcome the current economic state,” she says.

Though it didn’t take her long to paint, she says, she took extreme care. “One infinitesimal brushstroke can change the entire expression. I guess I changed the lips six times.” Her tip for others wishing to preserve their own nail art masterpieces: “Finish with clear UV top gel. Regular top coat may smear and blur your detailed work.”

Gone Fishing: NAILS 2011 Mini-Masterpiece Contest Winners

Wave of Success: NAILS 2010 Mini-Masterpiece Contest Winners

American Beauty: NAILS 2009 Mini-Masterpiece Contest Winners

Girl Before A Mirror: NAILS 2008 Mini-Masterpiece Contest Winners