b'DebWeisslermove forward. As I create various walls and components outside of the box and install it later, this requires much forethought and pre-planning. Waiting for glue and paint to dry is like watching a pot boil; constraints that make many of us chafe. Whilst waiting, Robert frequently pops into his studio to accomplish a quick task, only to emerge hours later, having lost all track of time. Im often later for appointments, he laughs. I originally bought a speaker for my iPod, but soon discovered I concentrate so hard when Im working that I never hear or notice the music. Ive now ditched the speaker for more table space. As with any artist, there is always a beginning. For many years Robert painted miniature, 54mm soldiers for a hobby, with a keen eye for authenticity. He enjoyed the solitude painting brought, and the satisfaction of accomplishing fine details. The hobby stayed with him into adulthood, along with a passion for collecting 19th century American fine art prints. Eventually miniatures, fine art, his passion for architecture, and real estate would juxtapose into this overwhelming passion for authentic miniature spaces. His first room was completed in 1998 as a Christmas gift for his wife. He called it The Ohio Room, inspired by the miniature architectural boxes such as the Thorne Rooms and Eugene Kupjack, now on permanent display and the most viewed exhibits at The Chicago Art Institute. That room triggered a passion, and eventually a desire to create roomboxes that helped fill a niche for serious collectors. Fifty percent of my clients are miniaturists, collectors, or museums housing miniature collections. However the other fifty percent could be best characterized as art collectors. They buy my boxes as art and incorporate them into the decor of their living space. Surprisingly, many end up in the bedroom. Patrons tell me that they love looking at them just before they retire in order to feel calm. It pleases me to no end that this is their final thought of the day. Entirely self-taught, Robert has spent hours studying books on stage design and lighting, studying the works of others, and developing a marketing strategy and business plan that sets a goal of having his work accepted by the art world as a legitimate means of artistic expression. Deb Weissler11'