by Artist Eye  

Saint Irenaeus has arrived in the cloister! It’s not his feast day; he was just next in line in the carving shop.  I think this bishop of the early church would be pleased about the process responsible for the completion of his image. The finished carving was first a sketch, then a full scale drawing, a clay mock up, back to full size drawing, and finally the slow, careful carving away of a specially prepared panel . . . the collaboration of many hands.  It’s the co-labor that makes it so special because hands can’t  cooperate unless the hearts that direct them are at peace and as one, a labor I think the saint would especially appreciate.