The Eiffel Tower rises majestically . . . on the tip of a pencil.
© Salavat Fidai

Russian Artist’s Tiny Carvings Get Right to the Point

Good travelers seek out adventures and stories—as well as classic world landmarks.

France’s Eiffel Tower. England’s Big Ben. Italy’s Colosseum.

These are not just icons of their countries. These structures offer travel inspiration, whether we are standing in front of one for the first time, passing by one for the hundredth time and seeing it in a new way, or studying a photograph or painting on a virtual journey.

We are so familiar with these monuments that they often seem larger than life . . . except, perhaps, when we find them on the point of a pencil.

The tiniest of Big Bens
© Salavat Fidai

Small is Beautiful

Russian artist Salavat Fidai offers us the world in miniature. When looking at his creations, it is easy to imagine an “Oh, I see” moment of small is beautiful.

Salavat’s dedication to bringing his sculptures to perfection makes each of his pencil lead carvings even more incredible than simply a tiny world in graphite. “Each piece is a part of my soul,” he says.

Varying graphite views of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai
© Salavat Fidai

Practically speaking, his petite sculptures are a large part of his soul. He spends many night-owl hours (after his family has gone to bed) with his magnifying glass, X-acto knife, and a carefully selected thick-leaded art pencil just right for the carving.

What’s needed? A steady hand, an eye for detail, and patience.

“I experiment with different tools,” Salavat says, “But I think I would be happy creating art out of anything.”

Fidai’s matchbox masterpiece pays tribute to Van Gogh’s Dr. Gachet.

He creates many types of miniatures, including paintings on matchboxes and pumpkin seeds, as well as larger canvases with oils. But it is the pencil carvings that give him the greatest pleasure.

A pointed visit to Rome’s Colosseum
© Salavat Fidai

The Challenge of Graphite

The pencil lead creative process is a meditation, he explains. It is also a lesson in precision and perseverance.

He must calculate just how much pressure the lead can bear. “Will I be able to make a micro sculpture and not break the fragile graphite?” is a question he asks himself each time.

He often masters the required balance the hard way, with broken pencils and lost hours. He defends his mis-steps poetically. “Shit happens.”

Before he perfected one of his favorite character carvings—Darth Vadar—six pencil tips bit the dust, often near the end of hours of work. The investment of hours and the intricacy of the subject make the final sculpture even more appreciated.

He keeps things interesting with a wide range of subjects, from world landmarks to pop culture personalities to a freedom fist in honor of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists.

He interacts often with his followers on social media, appreciating all comments—from the simple “OMG” and “Awesome” to the more concerned, “Why do you keep doing this when you could die from lung cancer?”

An elegant point: The Burj Khalifa in Dubai
© Salavat Fidai

A Deep-Rooted Love of Art

Salavat began this new profession last year after he was laid off from a law practice in Ufa, Russia. Rather than pursuing his law career in another firm, he decided to experiment with an old passion.

Both his parents are art teachers, so the love of art was already deeply rooted in his life. He studied the work of pencil lead artist Dalton Ghetti and is continually inspired by the impressionists, especially Vincent Van Gogh.

The night owl, Salavat Fidai, in his studio/workshop
Photo courtesy of Salavat Fidai

Just as he was influenced by his parents, so too does he motivate his own children. They are drawn to the artistic life.

“They need to find their own unique style and purpose,” he says.

He offers to them the advice he lives by himself. “Experiment . . . and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.”

Even if it means a pile of broken pencils.

It’s worth it. Salavat’s pencil lead art takes us on an amazing world tour. Travel inspiration of the best kind—a journey of imagination.

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