Rachel Griel

The halo is a symbol that denotes holiness. It is one we have become accustomed to seeing on various deities, saints, and holy people. We have come to expect it to denote divinity. But the people depicted in Ordinary Saints are not saints or divine beings. What effect does it have on the symbol, or on the person bearing it, when that person is not a saint or holy person at all? How is the subject transformed by being granted this holy symbol?

The symbol of the halo is one I have been working with since 2011, and Ordinary Saints continues to delve into the ideas of divinity, holiness, and transformation that I have explored in the time since then. The use of embroidery is another unifying aspect of my work, and I enjoy using this meditative medium in new and unusual ways. While I have embroidered on paper extensively in the past, creating this series was my first time embroidering through a hard material. Ordinary Saints represents not just a deeper dive into the ideas and symbols my work has already familiarized itself with, but also an effort to push the mediums I already love to a new place. The creation of Ordinary Saints was an exercise in taking the things I know to a new depth.

All works in this series are mixed media on masonite, 15 x 15 inches, and were created in 2018.

The images in these paintings are taken from found antique photographs, recreated with graphite and acrylic, watercolor, or gouache paint. Over the painting I have embroidered different types of flowers using cotton embroidery floss. These paintings were created on Yupo paper.

Begun in 2012, the Sewn Pieces series features found photographs that have been modified through embroidery and occasionally other media. More images to come.

Mixed media series created in 2012 using found photographs, beeswax, thread, and lighting gels. All pieces are 8 x 8 inches. More images to come.

Images in this gallery are taken from my sketchbook. Additional images from my sketchbook can be found on my blog.