See the steps to creating a “Rose”.

  • Before anything, I prepare my studio & pray.

  • 1. Painting the negative onto glass

  • 2. Applying the cyanotype ingredients to the paper

  • 3. Exposing the negative to the sun

  • 4. Rinsing off the solution

    The watercolor paper is gently rinsed off...becomes a gorgeous blue!

  • 5. Laying out the beads, thread, & tools

    I used sheep wool for the cross to symbolize our precious Savior's sacrifice. The beads are silver & glass.

  • 6. Embroidering the center

    I used a prepared cotton cyanotype square from Jacquard for the base.

  • 7. Ready to stitch onto the watercolor paper

  • 8. Preparing to embroider the watercolor paper

    The watercolor paper is very thick. I made the wooden-handled pin & punched the stitching lines.

  • 9. "Body & Blood, Living Water"

    The center piece was stitched on. I embroidered through the punched holes, and added glass beads to the "water". Japanese silver thread represents the thorny crown, and also His emanating light.

  • 10. Charcoal design for the frame

    Represents the Seraphim giving honor & glory to Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach.

  • 11. Laser-cut wood frame base

    The Hebrew letters are Dalet Mem Bet, which, according to the Kabbalah, mean "reverence for God".

  • 12. Silver-leafing the frame

    I applied chalk & hide glue gesso to the wood, creating more dimension. Then I applied silver leaf using the water method. I worked on the frame a long time, using multiple methods to age it.

  • 13. Preparing natural shellac

    Natural shellac is made from prepared resin collected from tree bark in Indonesia. It is dissolved in pure alcohol.

  • 14. Completed frame top drying

    Here is the completed frame top drying in the sun after being sprayed with multiple layers of shellac.

  • 15. Laser engraving the back

    I used the XTool D1 Pro laser for engraving & cutting out the back.

  • 16. Completed frame back

    The name of Jesus in many languages encircles a representation of "His body & blood". Note the DNA spirals...

  • 17. Preparing to assemble the whole

    I used several different metal elements for the hardware: steel pins & nails for fastening frame front to frame back, a cut portion of a decorative clock for the "winding & setting" piece & more.

  • 18. Antique nails & clock chain

    I started with a chain from a cuckoo clock (in the photos), but switched to a welded brass Emperor Grandfather clock chain. The nails are square, hand-forged American steel antiques.

  • 19. Laser burning the title & signature plates

    I use the XTool F1 laser for engraving metal, & for many smaller wood pieces, too.

  • 20. Hardware install

    Here is the complete piece back, with the hardware & label plates put in place. The back of the frame is silver-waxed rather than leafed.

  • 21. Completed Art Prayer!

    The second rose in the Garden or Roses A series: "Behold, I Come Quickly". There will be many more.