Clare Elise Lucia

Orthodox Christian Portrait Artist · North Carolina

The human face of holiness.

Original charcoal portraits of the saints — drawn toward spiritual quietude, not photocopy likeness — by Clare Elise Lucia.

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Selected works

Portraits of the saints

Each 11″ × 14″, compressed charcoal on paper — holy men rendered as living faces.

Charcoal portrait of Hieromonk Seraphim Rose in a monastic klobuk, warm chiaroscuro on paper, by Clare Elise Lucia.

Hieromonk Seraphim Rose

Charcoal on paper · 2025

Charcoal portrait of Elder Ephraim of Arizona, warm chiaroscuro on paper, by Clare Elise Lucia.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona

Charcoal on paper · 2025

Charcoal portrait of Brother André Bessette of Montreal, warm chiaroscuro on paper, by Clare Elise Lucia.

Brother André Bessette of Montreal

Charcoal on paper · 2026

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“My primary goal was to capture his likeness by depicting spiritual quietude in his expression, rather than a hyper‑realistic resemblance or photocopy.”

— Clare, on drawing Hieromonk Seraphim Rose

About the artist

Ten years with a sharp pencil.
Then, charcoal.

Clare Elise Lucia is an Orthodox Christian portrait artist working in charcoal, based in North Carolina. After a decade of drawing small with a sharp pencil, she now works gesturally — charcoal stick against a large upright surface — seeking the quiet, watchful presence of the saints.

Read her story →

Early stage of the Seraphim Rose charcoal portrait on a large mounted surface.
The Seraphim Rose charcoal portrait developing at the easel.
The nearly finished Seraphim Rose charcoal portrait at the easel.

Commission a portrait of your patron saint

A drawing made slowly and prayerfully — for a baptism or chrismation, a wedding, an ordination, or the icon corner of your home.

How commissions work Write to Clare