Jeff de Boer has spent nearly four decades transforming an ancient art form into something uniquely modern and miniature. The Canadian metalwork artist has built an entire career crafting elaborate suits of plate armor designed for mice, drawing inspiration from medieval traditions while exploring themes of protection, power, and the underdog spirit.
De Boer's fascination with armor began during his childhood when he first encountered a medieval suit at a museum in Calgary. Growing up in his father's sheet metal fabrication shop, he developed both the technical skills and artistic vision that would later define his career. Initially, he attempted to create full-sized armor pieces, but found the time commitment too demanding for single projects.
The breakthrough came during his art school years while studying jewelry making. Working with the tiny tools required for the craft, de Boer realized he could complete armor pieces much faster by scaling them down to mouse size. When he presented his first mouse armor piece to his professors, their reaction was immediate and telling. "I just remember handing that mouse in, and the teachers were silent. And they said 'Jeff, I don't think you have to worry about making jewelry anymore,'" de Boer recalls.
His professors' faith proved well-founded. While still in school, de Boer successfully exhibited his mouse armor at local galleries, leading to his first commercial exhibition and launching a series of sales and commissions. This early success established the foundation for what would become his primary artistic focus, though he continues to create occasional jewelry pieces and sculptures alongside his signature mouse armor work.
For de Boer, armor represents humanity's fundamental drive for protection and survival. "Armor is like one of the first evolutionary defenses against the hostile world," he explains. "I mean, whatever amoeba has slightly tougher skin can go into hotter water. If you have an exoskeleton, you can survive the bite of some other monster." This philosophical approach extends beyond mere craftsmanship to explore deeper themes about vulnerability and empowerment.
When questioned about the purpose behind his unusual art form, de Boer often encounters skepticism on social media. His response reflects his belief that mouse armor serves the same artistic purpose as any other decorative object. However, he acknowledges that the work allows him to explore meaningful themes, particularly the concept of the underdog finding strength and the universal need for protection in navigating life's challenges.
As a small-scale artist, de Boer identifies personally with the mouse as a symbol of the little guy trying to make it in the world. "The idea that the mouse could find an edge, that it could put on a suit of armor and go out there. And maybe make a difference – I think that is what we are all dreaming about," he reflects. "What would be all of our personal armor these days? And what would be our quest?"
The miniature scale of his work provides artistic freedom to experiment with diverse cultural influences. De Boer's mouse armor pieces draw inspiration from armor traditions spanning multiple continents, incorporating design elements from Scandinavian, Indian, and Japanese metalworking traditions. "The nice thing with mouse scale is that you get to do a whole lot of neat things. You get to explore all of the different cultures, all the different forums, and just modify it and compress it," he notes.
De Boer also shares his expertise through occasional master classes, such as a recent workshop at the Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. These classes attract students from various backgrounds who learn comprehensive metalworking techniques, including creating molds, punching and shaping metal, and the science behind forging and soldering.
Among his recent students was video game designer Thiago Vidotto, who sought to understand real-world construction techniques to enhance the believability of his virtual armored characters. "To make something real when it's digital, it needs to have imperfections, 'cause nothing's perfect," Vidotto explained. "So you have to learn where you can add the distress, where it could be a problem." Another student, emerging artist Laurie Raubacher, enrolled both to improve her metalwork skills and for the sheer joy of the craft, appreciating "the whimsical nature" of creating mouse armor that "is just there to be enjoyed."
Through his work, de Boer hopes to revive and preserve this ancient metalworking art while bringing joy and inspiration to viewers. His goal extends beyond mere entertainment – he aims to encourage people to find their own metaphorical armor and courage to face their personal challenges, essentially inspiring them to "suit up and slay their own dragons."
