Test Icon

26" x 40"

Simon taking up the cross - part of the scriptural Way of the Cross, the alternate to the traditional Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa). This icon is an adaptation the work of Theophanis of Crete at Stavronikita Monastry on Mount Athos.

In the Details

When the under-painting and the color balance has been established, detail painting begins.

Close-up of left angel icon

The unique drapery shadows and highlights of iconography being added below.

St. Mary's Mural Painting Continued

Next, color is laid into the mural and balance checked.

Below is an example of background lily frieze underpainting and color overlay with detailing.

Here is the center mural panel with detailing added.

Right angel full

Left angel head

Right angel head

The dark shiny red tone behind the angel heads is bole, or the underground for gold leaf that will be applied last. For more information about gilding, click here.

Detail with gold leaf applied

St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral

The original designs

Preparing the canvas and getting ready to build supporting framework

Preparing paint for the marbelling

The artist at work on the faux marble painting

Sketches of the mural figures left panel and center

Right panel detail sketch

"Carving" detail on three lower panels

 Gluing canvas to frame with archival BevaGel adhesive

One finished lower architectural panel

Left, center, and right murals in process

Detail right panel

Detail left panel

Traditional Mosaic Icon

 People often ask us if we have very much leftover glass when we make stained glass windows. That might be the understatement of all time. We have boxes of scrap glass. Of course, some of it is used for future stained glass windows if the pieces are large enough to be salvaged. The smaller pieces, however, can't be utilized for much except mosaics. Cutting the scrap into useable uniform mosaic pieces is quite labor intensive, but it's a good use for the material which is quite expensive.


Here's an example of a mosaic that was created for the church sign at Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Kansas. The mosaic pieces have been painted and fired in a kiln to create the details in the faces.






Here, the same mosaic installed outside the church.


This young boy "venerates the icon", a traditional show of respect in the Orthodox Catholic church.