St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota
St. John the Evangelist in Baker, Montana
Professional Fine Art Statue Painting
Preparation
In order to ensure the immaculate restoration of statues they need to be thoroughly cleaned. Specialized cleaning solutions and tools are used to ensure an effective and gentle cleansing, safeguarding the integrity of the statue. We repair broken parts and remove chipped paint through careful sanding to prevent future flaking. Then several layers of paint designed to prime the surface are added. These steps are not only crucial in achieving optimal results, but they also rejuvenate the statue making it less brittle.
Theological Color and Composition
Once the statues are prepared, the chromatic integration begins. This involves strategic highlighting and tonal shading to enhance liturgical visibility. Some figures require high contrast to maintain legibility from a distance, while specific fabrics are rendered with varying luster levels to denote rank or divinity. The color scheme is a primary theological consideration; color not only evokes profound emotions but also represents specific iconographic traditions. Additionally, we consider the temperature of the sanctuary lighting so that the end results match the environmental expectations.
Hand-Brush vs. Air Brush
Using a brush allows me to emphasize the textures that one would see in real life. An airbrush makes the process quicker but doesn’t show texture. It can also make the statues look like they came from a factory. With a brush, I leave more of a human touch with the artwork.
Protective Finishing
I add the final details, wait for the statues to fully dry then give them protective layers. These layers help protect the statues from UV damage, dusting, and cleaning so that the statues continue to look alive and beautiful for generations to come
Ecclesiastical Mission
My team (mostly my wife) and I are honored to be able to make art that praises God and helps others to do so as well. I can’t think of a more important goal of art.
Timeline & Investment
For each project, we provide a comprehensive timeline before beginning work. We prefer to provide conservative estimates to ensure the highest quality of craft. You will find our work to be both technically refined and efficiently executed. Unless noted in the bid, costs remain fixed. Materials, travel, and all other logistical expenses are integrated into the final price.
My team and I love meeting parishioners and being able to pray in our workspace.
Statue Restoration of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus,
Before and After Images
St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks North Dakota
Fixing a broken hand of an antique statue of the Virgin Mary
Adding color to statues that were white washed seventy years ago. We give details of tears, blood, and further more the full scope of human emotion back to these statues.
Marble Cleaning and Repair
St. Peter Prince of the Apostles in San Antonio, Texas
St. Peter Prince of the Apostles in San Antonio, Texas
Contact us
All projects welcome. No job is too big or too small
Letter for St. Michael’s Parish Bulletin
When I first heard that Father Courtright wanted to paint the stations of the cross at St. Michaels I was hesitant. Born and raised in Grand Forks, St. Michael’s has always been my understanding of what a Catholic Church should look like. I used to look up at those statues in awe and wonder, but I’d also be trying to comprehend them. As I engaged with their shapes of light and shadow I thought of them as being quite abstract like otherworldly forms. I did not see them as scenes of the passion of Christ. I saw the stations the way I was inclined to. Similarly, Father pointed out that in the first station, the club looks like a baseball bat. After considering the importance of witnessing Christ’s passion, I knew they needed to be painted.
When I was a teenager kneeling in St. Michaels, I distinctly remember asking God to make me an artist who was good enough to do something for a church like this one. This church has had profound impacts on me both consciously and unconsciously as an artist. While completing my Masters in Art, I tried to figure out where my stylistic inclinations came from. I realized it was from St. Michael’s and in particular its stained glass windows. I read that the founder of the Chicago workshop, Munich Studios, was influenced by Renaissance artists such as Bellini, Tintoretto, and Titian. It is no wonder they are some of my favorites as well. I revere the windows in this church and am influenced by them every time I gaze at them. As I paint the stations of the cross I am not worried about distracting from them because how could I!? Powered by the sun they are too big, powerful, and beautiful to be distracted from even by a movie screen. Instead of worrying about being a distraction, I consider how I can compliment the windows through color. The windows depict scenes of joy and revelation, thus their colors are bright and royal. The stations depict a somber subject, thus I tone them down and give them melancholic colors such as jewel tones.
It has been a spiritual experience painting in the basement of the church. I get to be near weddings, funerals, Mass, adoration, and all the wonderful people that find opportunities for service and community through the church. St. Michael’s is certainly alive! It’s been a joy to talk with people that stop by to visit. What more can an artist want than to have their work be seen and discussed? I wouldn’t have this opportunity if it weren't for the generous donations of parishioners. I can’t think of a better recipient of art than the people looking to beautify their church. Many of the most famous artworks were paid for not by the church, but by parishioners, such as how Giotto was commissioned by a wealthy banker for his landmark paintings in the Scrovegni Chapel or how the Painted Churches in Texas were funded by and painted by the immigrants that moved there from Germany and the Czech Republic.
I am not Giotto, but I recognize the sacredness of this task. With that in mind, I want to say thank you for trusting me with this project in our beautiful church. I hope you’re praying that I complete it the way God desires!
William Rerick 2024
Reviews
Rev. Raymond Courtright
St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
"It is a rare gift to find an artist who possesses both the technical precision of a conservator and the soul of a true liturgist. Over the past three years, William Rerick has meticulously restored our Stations of the Cross and other antique statues in the church with immense care and professional rigor. He did not simply 'touch up' the pieces; he gave them a unique beauty special to the design of our church. He also spent the time writing about the process and publishing it in the flock note and speaking after Masses on the meaning of the semiotics he employed. I give Art By Rerick LLC my strongest recommendation for any community seeking to preserve their sacred heritage through his diligent craftsmanship."
St. Jude’s in Thompson, North Dakota
St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota
St. Jude’s in Thompson North Dakota
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