You won't find a pair of artists like this anywhere in the world. Both of them began their current work at the same time, not knowing one another and in different countries. It was chance that brought them together as friends and fellow adventurers in techniques nearly lost in today's world.

Miller is an experienced iconographer having worked for ten years in egg tempra and 23k gold leaf. The technique dates back to the Egyptian mummy portraiture; earth pigments suspended in hot wax used during the first century evolved into the use of dry pigments and egg yolk. Miller sought out the expertise of her life-long partner, Gomez, to elaborate on what had become a fascination with all techniques involved in iconography throughout history.

The term "repousse" refers to the hammering of silver/pewter into flat sheets then engraving and tooling it on both sides to create form and designs used to "cover" the precious icon image. The technique evolved and was widely utilized by the 8th century. By the 16th century, it had reached its glory, incorporating gold, jewels, pearly inlay and filigree.

These two partners have worked collaboratively since August 2000. The quality of work you see here is just the beginning of what they hope will long endure in the archives of contemporary work created in this millenium.

Contact Mary Jane Miller at amni_jane@yahoo.com.