Heraldic Artist Spotlight: Allen Crawford

The arms of Allen Crawford, designed and emblazoned by himself.
Image is from Allen Crawford - American Heraldry Facebook page, September 21, 2023.

For the fifth installment of the Heraldic Artist Spotlight series, I am pleased to share the work of Mr. Allen Crawford.  To read posts on the other heraldic artists featured in this series, click the blog tag "Heraldic Artist Series" at the end of this post.  

Crawford wears many, many hats:  an acclaimed artist, illustrator, designer, writer, conservationist, and historian for Clan Crawford.  What's funny, at least to me and Crawford, is that we both have admired each other's arms for some time.  Through various heraldry social media platforms, I remember well catching glimpses of both the cornus florida and cardinalis cardinalis in his armorial achievement, and thought this guy has good taste and style.

The arms of the CCA granted by
the Court of Lord Lyon in 2012,
and emblazoned by Allen Crawford. 
Image is from Allen Crawford
 American Heraldry Facebook page,
September 21, 2023.

For his heraldic work, Crawford's major project focuses on the heraldry of Clan Crawford through the Clan Crawford Association (CCA).  

In 2018, Crawford presented a paper, "The Clan Crawford Association Armorial: An Independent Armorial for the Scottish Diaspora," during the Heraldry Society's Biennial Congress held at the University of Winchester in England.  Crawford opened his presentation with these astute observations concerning heraldry in the US:

"...the peculiar conditions of the United States forbid a blind following of the heraldic laws of any one country, and the bearing of arms here can only be governed by a general knowledge of heraldry, an appreciation of circumstances, and the exercise of good judgment and good taste in the treatment of each individual case" (Crawford, 2018, 25).   

I could not agree more with Crawford on this point.  

Through CCA, Crawford himself has organized a rather impressive project, an armorial with the intention to provide both design work and registration of arms for CCA members who either live in countries without an heraldic authority or otherwise unable to secure a grant of arms.  This admirable project is a great way to not only educate future CCA armingers, but also ensures design consistency in accordance with the customs of heraldry. 

Several emblazonments by Crawford appearing in Crawford (2018), page 6. 
Click image to enlarge.

Recently, I commissioned Crawford to render my arms in his Scottish style and am absolutely thrilled with the final product.

The arms of Chad M. Krouse emblazoned by Allen Crawford, September 2023.

The crest of Chad M. Krouse emblazoned by Allen Crawford, September 2023.

The arms of Chad M. Krouse emblazoned by Allen Crawford, September 2023.

I will say this, Crawford's rendering of the cardinal in my crest is now my all-time favorite.  I asked him to make the bird as ferociously as possible--he simply nailed it.  I really like the detailing of the cornus florida, as Crawford's version is quite striking and has the power of identification when see from a distance.

Please click here to see Crawford's design website, his portfolio containing loads of his work, and his contact information.  It has been a delight working with Crawford--we're armorial brothers in a sense with our dogwood flowers and cardinals held in common.  I highly recommend Crawford's work to anyone seeking emblazonments in his Scottish style.

Works Cited

Crawford, A. (2018).  The Crawfords are coming: Creating an enduring armorial for the Scottish diaspora. In The Society of Heraldic Arts (Ed.), The Heraldic Craftsman, number 100, pp. 25-27.

Heraldic Artist Spotlight: Dimitri Prica

Dimitri Prica of Canada who created his own digital style of heraldry.
Image from Dimitri Prica, Heraldic Art, September 2023.

In the fourth installment in my ongoing series celebrating heraldic artists from around the world, I'm pleased to share the work of Mr. Dimitri Prica from Canada.  To read posts on the other heraldic artists featured in this series, click the blog tag "Heraldic Artist Series" at the end of this post.  Prica is the youngest heraldic artist to be spotlighted so far, and has crafted his own style within the field--using dark colors and various shading techniques to render arms.  

The "Prica style" is simply fresh, young, and eye-catching.  One reader shared this astute observation recently regarding Pica's emblazonments of arms found on this blog: "they look much like stained glass and, as you say, lend a modern and with-it air to an ancient art form."  Prica gives us some background on his website:

"I've been a freelance heraldic artist since 2020, when my creations started getting some attention. My initial drive in the world of heraldic art was a desire to broaden my own collection, so I spent a fair while toying around with various styles, often taking inspiration from old manuscripts and adapting them to the vector-editing tools I am familiar with" (Dimitri Prica Heraldic Art, About Me, September 18, 2023).  

Moreover, Prica discovered that he could incorporate his designs through Vector artwork.

"Once I recognized that vector artwork can look stunning, if and only if one is willing to invest the necessary time, I developed a textured style with lighting effects, diapering, the works. 

"In parallel, and almost despite myself, I developed a second house style based on flat colours and more modern compositions. These are often used as bookplates because of their bold outlines and ease of print, but they have also been declined as stamps or embossers" (Dimitri Prica Heraldic Art, About Me, September 18, 2023).  

Since 2020, Prica's work has exploded onto the heraldic scene as evidenced by his growing portfolio of completed commissions and services he readily offers.

Ex Libris for Chad M. Krouse
designed and rendered by Dimitri Prica, 2020.

I first engaged Prica during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown for several heraldic projects.  At the time I discovered Prica's work online, I believe through his Instagram account, Prica was showcasing several recently completed ex libris commissions.  I simply had to have one rendered in his style.  Additionally, I worked with Prica to emblazon my design of attributed arms for the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020.  Please click here to read and see Prica's work regarding these attributed arms.

Furthermore, you can readily see the evolution of the "Prica style" through two emblazonments rendered of my arms--one in 2020 and the other in 2023.

Arms of Chad M. Krouse emblazoned by Dimitri Prica in 2020.

Can you see the differences?  It's quite extraordinary to see how artists mature into their own styles throughout the course of time and experience.  If I had to choose between these two shields, I much prefer Prica's 2023 emblazonment--I love the lines used to highlight the charges.

The arms of Chad M. Krouse emblazoned by Dimitri Prica in 2023.

Needless to say, I've been keeping Prica busy these days with loads of projects.  I commissioned Prica to render several coats of arms for the blog, as I needed to update so many images.  The blog's masthead at the top is all Prica and brings a sorely needed fresh vibe to my blog.

A modern emblazonment by Dimitri Prica in 2023 for
the badge of Hampden-Sydney College.

There's simply a lot to say about Prica's careful eye for design along with his evolution as a young heraldic artist.  I am grateful that I discovered Prica's work back in 2020 and that we continue to work together on various heradry-related projects.

Please click here to view Dimitri Prica's website containing his portfolio and contact information for commissions.  I promise the reader, you will not be disappointed.  

Heraldic Artist Spotlight: Steve Cowan

 

Steve Cowan hard at work in British Columbia, Canada. 
Image source:  Steve Cowan Heraldic Artist website.

For the third installment of my series celebrating heraldic artists from around the world, I'm pleased to spotlight Mr. Steve Cowan from British Columbia, Canada.  To read posts on other heraldic artists featured in this series, click the blog tag "Heraldic Artist Series" at the end of this post.  Cowan was the very first heraldic artist I ever commissioned once I finalized the design for my own assumed arms.  Cowan has truly been a delight to work with over the years, and his story is fascinating.   

Initially, Cowan's foray into fine arts was through oil painting, but a 10-year journey around the world would pause all of that until 1980.  Cowan writes:

"Upon my return to Canada in 1980, career and family considerations kept me from pursuing endeavours in fine art.   While my wife, Judy, and I enjoyed photography as we travelled, I didn’t take up painting until quite recently.  Shortly before I finished my 30-year airline career in 2002, I took an oil painting course in Vancouver.  

The arms of Steve Cowan,
granted by the Canadian Heraldic
Authority in 2018.  Cowan designed
his arms which the CHA approved.
Image source: Steve Cowan Heraldic
Art, September 2023.

"After we traveled parts of Europe and Australia we settled in the Comox Valley in 2003.  Here I met Bill Maximick and admired how he uses acrylics to do his marine paintings.  Since then Bill has been my mentor and teacher" (Steve Cowan Heraldic Art, 15 September 2023).

Once Cowan caught the heraldry bug, it was game over.  

"In May 2015 I was presented with my Licentiate  (Level Three) qualification from the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada (R.H.S.C.).  I have been a member of the R.H.S.C. since 2009; in 2016 I was elected as the President of the BC/Yukon Branch of the R.H.S.C. At the 2019 Annual Conference of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada in Calgary I was award a Meritorious Service Award for all the fun I have working with the Society members.

"I have been an Associate member of the Society of Heraldic Arts of the U.K. since 2014.  In April 2017 I was accepted as a Craft member of the Society following an assessment of my portfolio of heraldic work.  I am thrilled to have this recognition from fellow heraldic artists and to join other Canadians as Craft members" (Steve Cowan Heraldic Art, 15 September 2023).

The crest and arms of Chad M. Krouse,
emblazoned by Steve Cowan.

In 2014, I contacted Cowan to digitally render my assumed arms.  This commission would be my very first time working directly with a professional heraldic artist.  Since I was a pure novice at the time, Cowan was extremely patient and kind fielding all my questions.  I was simply nervous about working with, much less sending money to, someone in another country whom I've never met.  Ever the gentleman, Cowan would ease all of my anxiety surrounding this commission.  

The process of getting my arms to an acceptable design took months.  I wanted to design my arms to be the signature and identification of myself, and I took this task quite seriously.  In a previous article, "The Man and His Arms: An Origin Story," I provide more detail on the design evolution.  Please click here to read this article.  My humble line drawings in pencil could not prepare me for seeing the arms digitally in full color.  The end result, however, filled me with so much pride at seeing the design come alive. 

Needless to say, I was very happy with my first digital emblazonment.  Cowan's work was both thoroughly detailed and highly professional.  Moreover, though this initial commission, Cowan instilled in me a greater sense of confidence to work with other heraldic artists--something I rather treasure.  

In addition to his digital heraldry, Cowan is something of craftsman.  Recently, I commissioned him to make a wall plaque and table shield in my arms.  Upon opening the box, I was blown away by the quality and care Cowan pours into his work.  The finished products are of the highest quality and expertly crafted by Cowan.

A wall plaque and table shield of the arms of Chad M. Krouse,
designed and hand-crafted by Steve Cowan, September 2023.

I simply cannot say enough about how much I have appreciated working with Cowan over the years.  I highly recommend his services and can testify that the final product represents his utmost passion and devotion to the art and science of heraldry.

Please click here to visit Cowan's website to view his services and portfolio.  Additionally, there is a link to his website on the left under "Websites of Interest."

Support our heraldic artists who diligently translate the otherwise arcane blazons into colorful works of art--keeping heraldry alive and relevant today.  Cowan and others continue to provide expert services and friendly advice for anyone seeking to emblazon arms.  Without these artists, the field would be bleak and void of the vibrancy which heraldry calls for and these artists proudly answer.  Trust me, the reader would not be content with my penciled line drawings.   

Heraldic Artist Spotlight: Dr. Antonio Salmeron

 

Dr. Antonio Salmeron of Madrid, Spain. 
Image is from Dr. Salmeron's website.

For the second installment highlighting heraldic artists, I'm pleased to present Dr. Antonio Salmeron from Madrid, Spain.  Perhaps one of the most prolific heraldic artists these days, Dr. Salmeron is quite busy producing high-quality work found across the globe.  

A scholar by training, Dr. Salmeron's methodology supporting his heraldic work is best explained in his own words.  

"My style as a heraldic artist could be drawn with three terms: clear, symbolic and methodic.

"It is clear because my work searches pieces which transmit energy and vital force to the owner and its relatives. I think that a coat of arms should be a source of light and joy and an expression of freedom. That's why in my heraldic creative process I do prefer to get inspiration in early stages of the heraldic history and portray that freshness to the present.

"It is symbolic because coats of arms must be a representation of its bearer, his/her ideals, goals, motivations, history and anything he/she might want to display. Thus, the creation of a coat of arms should encompass all the signifieds brought by the future owner together with its signifiers, the blazon heraldic rules and the art contributed by the heraldic artist.

"It is methodical because heraldic art is founded on a science, the so called science of heraldry. This systematic knowledge has its principles, its composition rules and its own formal language all of those the true foundations of my artistic methodology. The method must not be considered disincentive to creativity, but a fair support and a guarantee of the professional work" (Blason, 2023 September 11). 

From International Society of Commoners Heraldry: Roll of Arms,
page 18, as an example of Dr. Salmeron's work.

I admire how Dr. Salmeron adopted his own methods to maintain consistency with all his work.  You can definitely tell that this heraldic artist is very much a scholar.

I connected with Dr. Salmeron in 2020 during pandemic through a growing and vibrant Facebook group, "The International Society of Commoners Heraldry."  

Now with more than 2,300 Facebook members, the Society purports to provide, "a place for those who choose to embrace heraldry in the contemporary world as a means of representing themselves using the traditional symbolism of Heraldry."

As an example of just one project, Dr. Salmeron created an armorial for the group, cataloging arms for each member as they join--the Roll of Arms grows by the week and Dr. Salmeron keeps quite busy here.  In addition to his ongoing projects with the International Society of Commoners Heraldry, Dr. Salmeron receives commissions from all of the world to either create new arms or emblazonments of existing arms rendered in his own style. 

Ever the scholar, Dr. Salmeron provides insight into how he applies his methods for arms to achieve harmony between the art and science of heraldry.  The image below is taken from the "Friends of Dr. Antonio Salermon Cabanas" Facebook group as an illustration of Dr. Salmeron's methodology in action. 

Finding balance between the art and science of heraldry in the work of Dr. Salmeron.  Image is from "Friends of Dr. Antonio Salmeron Cabanas" Facebook group, September 2023.

Finally, I'm pleased to share my arms rendered by Dr. Salmeron, in which I requested his Spanish style to give my arms that Salmeron touch.

The arms of Chad M. Krouse, rendered in the Spanish style by Dr. Salmeron, May 2020.

I highly recommend Dr. Salmeron to anyone looking to either design their own arms or simply create a new and unique emblazonment of existing arms.  Please click here to view Dr. Salmeron's website for contact information.  You simply won't be disappointed!  Dr. Salmeron is a scholar and a gentleman.  

Heraldic Artist Spotlight: Brian Abshier

 

The arms of Brian Abshier rendered in his style. 
Image source:  Art by Brian Abshier website.

I'm starting a new series to celebrate various heraldic artists around the world, as a means to showcase the modern relevancy heraldry enjoys well into the 21st century.  Suffice it to say, the shear volume of these expert heraldic artists working today could easily keep any arminger busy submitting commissions for quite a long time--a great problem to have in our field.

Brian Abshier is a heraldic artist residing in the United States, and is one whom I've had the pleasure of working with for a few years.  Abshier was my first commission during the COVID-19 pandemic--he was slammed busy with requests for heraldic art at that time.    

Abshier gives us the following autobiography from his website:

"Artwork has always been a hobby and passion of mine, but it had always been done in traditional medium for most of my life. I first began seriously working with digital art in the late 2000's by creating textures and assets for various computer games. Through this, I became familiar with the techniques, tools, and software involved in the digital artwork. 

Around 2016 I found the artwork of artists like Andrew Stewart Jamieson, Quentin Peacock, and others and found it very captivating. Like many others, heraldry created a natural bridge between the interests of medieval history and art" (Art by Brian Abshier, 11 September 2023).

Arms and Crest of Chad M. Krouse rendered by
Brian Abshier in the "Bellenville style," March 2020.

Furthermore, as his style and knowledge in heraldry progressed, Abshier's work would be featured in a number of publications.  By 2018, Abshier took the plunge and began accepting commissions.  

Initially, I commissioned Abshier in 2020 to have my arms and crest emblazoned in the "Bellenville" style.  Abshier's rendering of the cardinal in this style is just pure genius--I love it!

According to Hofman (2017), the Bellenville Armorial was one of the most famous and admired works of heraldry developed between 1355-1380 and consisting of 75 folios.  Abshier's interpretation of the style made famous by the armorial, illustrates the artist's depth of knowledge in medieval history along with his talent for creativity.  Moreover, I just loved how unusual and historical my arms appear in the Bellenville style.  

Not long after that commission, I asked Abshier for a full set to include a banner, badge, etc.  I was not disappointed in the results.  Abshier's style provides absolute identification of the individual bearing arms--as draftsmanship and blazoning are vital elements for good heraldry.  As Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) once wrote concerning several designs for new arms,

"In determining the merits of these designs, they should be studied at a distance, and their relative effectiveness thus determined.  The shield which is at a distance is the simplest and perspicuous--has the most 'carrying power'--is always the best heraldry" (la Rose, 1910, 4).

From any distance, I believe, Abshier's heraldic work provides that critical "carrying power" necessary for heraldry.    

Who would want to attack the dashing knight bearing this shield? 
The arms of Chad M. Krouse rendered by Brian Abshier, March 2020.

No other artist, that I have worked with so far, has rendered the flowering dogwood (cornus florida) quite like Abshier--my absolute favorite version.  I admire the detail and shading techniques Abshier employs to render the cornus florida as an acceptable heraldic charge.  

The flowering dogwood (cornus florida)
rendered by Brian Abshier, March 2020.

I hope the reader will consider Abshier for a commission--you simply cannot go wrong with an emblazonment in his Bellenville style.  For more information, please click here to visit Abshier's website, which contains a full gallery of work, contact information for commissions, etc.  

Works Cited

Abshier, B. (2023 September 11).  Background.  Art by Brian Abshier.  http://www.abshier.us/about.html 

Hofman, E. (2017 July 7).  Bellenville's two armorials.  Heraldica Nova.  https://heraldica.hypotheses.org/5785

La Rose, Pierre de. C. (1910 July 29).  Arms for the University of Chicago.  Unpublished document.