Questions
Frequently asked
- Do you take commissions?
- Yes — commissions are open. I draw original charcoal portraits of saints, elders, and holy figures, most often as gifts for baptisms, chrismations, weddings, ordinations, and name days. Start by emailing clareeliselucia@gmail.com with the subject you have in mind.
- How much does a custom portrait cost?
- Each portrait is priced by size and complexity. Write to me with your idea and I will send current pricing and the next available start date before any commitment is made.
- How long does a commission take?
- I take on a small number of commissions at a time so each drawing gets real attention. When you inquire, I will give you an honest timeline based on the current queue — if your piece is for a fixed date like a baptism or wedding, tell me and I will let you know whether it is possible.
- Is a charcoal portrait the same as an icon?
- No — and the difference matters. A canonical icon is a liturgical image written within a strict tradition, usually in egg tempera and gold. My work is fine-art portraiture: the same holy men and women, drawn realistically in charcoal as living faces. A portrait is not meant for liturgical veneration; it is a work of art for the home.
- What subjects do you draw?
- Primarily Orthodox saints and elders — like Hieromonk Seraphim Rose and Elder Ephraim of Arizona — as well as holy figures from the broader Christian tradition, such as Brother André Bessette. If a person has shaped your life of faith, they are a fitting subject.
- Can I buy a print of your work?
- Yes — fine-art prints of select portraits are available in my Etsy shop at clareeliselucia.etsy.com. Original drawings are available by inquiry.
- Do you ship?
- Yes. Finished originals are fixed, packed carefully, and shipped anywhere in the United States and internationally by arrangement, with guidance for framing when it arrives.
- Where are you based?
- In North Carolina, in the United States — though commissions come from anywhere, and the work travels well.
Something else on your mind? Just ask.