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Nestled in fluffy snow, trees dusted and a snowman standing near, Memorial University’s Queen Elizabeth II Library in St. John’s looks picture perfect for the holidays.
But this scene can fit in the palm of your hand. It was 3D printed and dressed up by Gordon Little, the manager of library IT services.
Since 2011, Little has been making artwork inspired by the library and turning it into Christmas cards for colleagues.
“It’s a very special building. It doesn’t look like anything else. It’s not just a little block. It’s a very inspirational shape,” Little told CBC News.
He began working on his most recent project in November. Printing the QEII took a few hours, before sanding it down and painting it, with some help at home.
“I had the kids help me because they’re good at painting little things. And we sponged on little snow and everything. And I made the trees and I made the little snowman,” said Little.
“I’ve never tried to paint something so tiny that I had a toothpick to put the little eyes on it.”
Some fake snow was added, and because the library is hollow, he put some fairy lights on the inside.
He then set the library against a green screen and began taking photos that he’d use for the Christmas cards.
‘As a lark’
Little started the tradition in 2011, when he first started working at the library.
“It just happens to be that I love doing art and graphic design and making things in my spare time. So as a lark, I just made a little Christmas card which had the QEII library inside of this little snow globe,” he said.
He then sent it around to his colleagues and people loved it, so he’s been doing it ever since, he said.
But Little likes to shake-up what medium he uses. There have been drawings, watercolours, photography, models and even a cross stitch. There’s also “a whole lot of Photoshop silliness in between.”
This year he made a 3D printed library because he was given the printer for Father’s Day.
“Some years it’s only a week or two before December and I have no idea what to do,” said Little.
“I’m going to keep making cards until I retire.”
Little shares his creations on social media, but his new 3D library is on display in the real library’s lobby.
“We’ve got this great little display for the holiday season,” Little said.
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