Kathryn Laffrey is currently studying for her Master of Sacred Arts at Pontifex University. You can commission works from her, and I recommend her embroidery, particularly at kl-artstudio.com. Kathryn came to Princeton for the last Scala Foundation Conference, in Princeton in 2022, and it was a pleasure to see her there.
The pelican is a symbol of the Eucharist because it was once believed that pelicans fed their young on their own flesh, pecked from their breasts. This is a symbol of the faithful, who are part of the mystical body of Christ, eating the body and blood of Christ.
Olga Fishchuk, who is an expert in traditional methods of pictorial embroidery, is now offering online resources in the field, focusing on the style and techniques that were used in the Byzantine Slav world in the 14th-17th centuries. Her work was first brought to my attention by the well-known icon carver Jonathan Pageau, when she was offering in-person workshops in the US, several years ago.
Olga is Ukrainian and lives in Kyiv. For obvious reasons trips, to the US are unlikely in the near future, so she has created these materials to enable people in this country to learn. These instruction materials are available at Ukrainian prices - just $25, which is extraordinarily low. You can purchase them here, and read about the Katrusha studio and her work at www.buymeacoffee.com/Katrusya.studio. The project will offer students master classes at three levels:
The first level is an introduction to the basic methods and techniques of embroidery and needlework, using the example of a simple ornamental composition, as illustrated by this video:
The master class at the introductory level will be interesting not only to those who want to learn ecclesial embroidery, but also to any embroiderers who want to improve and expand their knowledge and skills.
The intermediate level involves the execution of icons with simple embroidered faces.
The advanced level is the embroidery of more complex waist-length and full height icons with embroidered faces and hands.
In addition to the master classes, the project will also offer students lectures on the history of pictorial embroidery in the medieval style, as well as other interesting and useful materials on the topic.
Since the master classes are designed for independent study of the material by students, the instructions are very detailed, with a great many photos and diagrams, as well as videos of the process.
The first master class flower and vine materials include:
a 70-page PDF file with detailed step-by-step instructions, including recommendations for choosing materials, tools, and a chart for troubleshooting;
70 quality photos; and
15 videos demonstrating how to prepare and execute the work.
A student from Pontifex University’s Master of Sacred Arts program, Kathryn Laffrey, has just sent me this example of her work, a design created to decorate a chalice pall. It is based on an image in the St Albans Psalter, which was produced in the 12th century in a late Romanesque / early Gothic style for the Abbey of St Albans in southern England. Kathryn’s image is approx. 5”x5”, the pall will be 6.5” x 6.5”
The embroidered image on the chalice pall
The original in the St Albans Psalter
I asked about the inscription and this is what she told me.
The inscription is Confitemini Domino, the opening phrase of Psalm 105 (Give praise to the LORD) in Latin. At first, I choose this to pay tribute to the initial “C” inspiration from the St Albans Psalter, also for Ps 105. But after reading through the psalm a few times it spoke strongly of God’s saving power and it made me think of our “source and summit”. I was greatly missing the Eucharistic presence during this time of “lockdown” and this helped me to see Him right here, with me.
Traditionally, chalice palls are given as gifts to priests to celebrate ordination or anniversaries of ordination. Anyone who wishes to contact Kathryn about this can do so at thelaffreys@charter.net.
