Gayle Spiller turns whimsical ideas into inspiring LEGO models packed with detail. Her builds, like the Butterfly Collector, are so dense with imaginative use of parts, you can get lost in them. In 2023, Gayle joined the exclusive group of builders to be featured at the LEGO House Masterpiece Gallery. In recent months, Gayle has been playing with a new, cozier build format – one that, like minifig habitats, could inspire builders looking to make their own MOCs from their favorite pieces who might be intimidated by larger constructions. We checked in with Gayle to talk about her latest series and life with LEGO since her invitation to Billund.
TBB: First of all, congratulations on being chosen as one of the latest builders invited to display your creations at the Masterpiece Gallery at LEGO House. What was it like to learn that your works would be displayed in Billund? What was it like meeting the other amazing builders and the LEGO team? Has anything changed in your relationship with LEGO building since your works were spotlighted?
Gayle: Thank you. Being asked to exhibit at the Lego Masterpiece Gallery 2023/24 was a complete surprise and I definitely had imposter syndrome. It was a fantastic experience and I loved meeting the other builders who I had admired online for so long. It was interesting to learn about their building methods, how for instance Zach produces some of his spectacular pieces in only 3 hours. That was a revelation and definitely inspired me to scale down and create something that would take a weekend to finish rather than some of my larger projects which have taken months.
TBB: We’ve featured a number of your builds at Brothers Brick in the past. Whether tributes to established worlds, like your Hogwarts Potions Class, original works like Springtime, or a painting brought to life in the Winged Ship, your builds are packed with detail and texture and have a cluttered but cozy look quite different from official LEGO sets. How did you find your voice as a builder?
Gayle: I have often found new builders to follow from seeing their work on your Instagram page and it’s a real badge of honour to be featured myself. I’ve never felt I have a particular style/voice but my builds are definitely cluttered and are a real hodgepodge. One of the lovely assistants at the Lego House described my pieces as Lego Maximalist and that is about as true as it gets.
TBB: Your latest 3D box dioramas feel like a continuation of some of your larger diorama work from the past – they have a compact charm all their own. What was your inspiration for this series of builds?
Gayle: The box builds arose for a multitude of reasons. I love nature and am surrounded by it (living in rural Oxfordshire). I liked the idea of using a central Lego animal and plants to create a small natural environment in layers, very much like a 3D greeting card. I like that it is self contained, stand alone. Recently, I hadn’t been particularly prolific in my building, it was taking me months to complete a project and I needed a smaller focus for a while. Fortunately the boxes don’t take long to make, although sadly, I haven’t yet got it down to 3 hours. Currently I have plans for at least two more boxes.
TBB: What I love about your scenes is how you mix elements that play the role that LEGO built them for, but also some whimsical parts used in delightful unexpected ways. Would you say you have an idea and then look for the right part first, or do you see a clever use for a part and then find a way to add to your build?
Gayle: Most of the time I have an idea in mind and then I look around to see how I can achieve that in Lego. Sometimes that will entail ordering specific parts but just as often I will try and work with what I already have.
TBB: Your models always look so compelling as display pieces. What do you do with your creations once you’ve completed them?
Gayle: I do have a IKEA cabinet and large shelf unit which I display some of my favourite builds and the ones returned from Billund. Lego has in many ways taken over our house. [With the box builds] I frequently need to reuse my pieces so they don’t get displayed for very long.
TBB: Similar to minifig habitats, diorama boxes like these seem like a great project for both experienced builders as well as those new to the hobby who might have a smaller collection of bricks.
Gayle: I think, as you say, they don’t require a massive collection of Lego and can be made as simply or as complex as you like. Unlike habitats the boxes don’t have a shape formula, or at present, other than to stack them, an ability to connect with each other but I’m sure others more clever than I would be able to do that if they wanted to create a theme.
A big thank you to Gayle Spiller for taking the time to talk with us about her cozy LEGO box scenes. I hope others enjoy the designs and might be inspired to create their own cozy scenes to celebrate favorite LEGO elements and the world outside your door.
The post Gayle Spiller’s enchanting LEGO box dioramas [Interview] appeared first on The Brothers Brick.
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