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.  

In My Backyard: The Arms of the Diocese of Richmond

Arms of the Diocese of Richmond.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

I live less than a mile away from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia.  This cathedral houses the cathedra, or chair, for the Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond.  Prominently emblazoned on a bronze plaque near the cathedral's west doors is the coat of arms of the diocese, expertly designed in 1913 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).  In a weird and unexplainable way, it feels comforting to know la Rose's heraldic work lives on so close to home.  

The armorial flag of the Diocese of Richmond.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

La Rose had a brilliant marketing scheme to showcase his heraldic work within the Roman Catholic Church.  Through articles he penned in The Ecclesiastical Review, a prominent national publication focusing on scholarly issues in the Church, la Rose would supply engraved images of arms he devised for both prelates and dioceses.  From my review of his articles in The Ecclesiastical Review, la Rose used this channel to both educate and market his methods for heraldic designs--and readers took notice.  

Caricature of la Rose appearing
 in the Boston Sunday Post
(1903 Feb. 15).

Moreover, La Rose saw his landmark commission in 1910 to design arms for the Archbishop of Baltimore,  James Cardinal Gibbons (1834-1921), followed by Archbishop and future Cardinal, William Henry O'Connell (1859-1944) of Boston, as effectively creating a new baseline for establishing unerring heraldry within the US Roman Catholic Church (La Rose, 1911).  

If heraldry in the US during the early 20th century could be a film, perhaps no other genre quite like the old gun-fighting wild western flicks--where the spirit of rugged individualism pervasively dictates one's survival--would seemingly feel an appropriate choice.  

La Rose would be our protagonist, complete with cigarette and a sheriff's badge, fighting it out on the dusty streets of Tombstone to wipe clean the scourge caused by outlawed heraldic "bucket shops."

In La Rose (1920), he offers this view regarding his purpose:  

"Of the fourteen archdioceses in the United States, we now have eight, a majority, equipped with diocesan heraldry, following the ancient precedent reestablished among us ten years ago by their Eminences Cardinal Gibbons and Cardinal O'Connell.  It is to be hoped that eventually the remaining six will follow suit" (41).

La Rose's crusade to convert as many dioceses as possible to employ flawless heraldry--both within the Episcopal Church and the Roman Catholic Church--engendered his life's purpose as a herald.  

The impaled arms of The Most Rev. Denis J. O'Connell,
designed by la Rose in 1913 and appearing in Brassard (1956), page 53.

In 1912, The Most Reverend Denis J. O'Connell (1849-1927) was named Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond and eventually la Rose was enlisted to design arms for both the bishop and the diocese.  O'Connell's impalement of arms containing his personal coat along with the arms of the Diocese of Richmond appeared in la Rose's article in The Ecclesiastical Review (La Rose, 1913).  La Rose designed both arms at the same time, ensuring the continuation of his baseline precedent for sound heraldry. 

For O'Connell's personal coat, La Rose (1913) provides the following blazon and rationale:

"Quarterly 1 and 4, per fess argent and vert between three trefoils counterchanged of the field a stag trippant proper... 

"The Ordinary's impalement [arms of Bishop O'Connell] is the first example among our American bishops of a quartered personal coat meaning precisely what quartering should mean--an armigerous paternal and maternal inheritance.  The Bishop's motto is that of the Wray family" (94).

La Rose pointedly notes the precise method for quartering arms--a heraldic method of combining two coats into a noble arrangement which continues to feverishly affect many American novices of heraldry.   

For the Diocese of Richmond, la Rose created the following blazon: Argent, an orle gules, over all on a bend azure three stars of the field.

For comparison, the arms of
the Borough of
Richmond, England. 
Image is from
Heraldry-wiki.com

When I started my quest to uncover la Rose's heraldry in 2014, one of the first research requests went to the archives of the Diocese of Richmond, these arms were in my backyard and it seemed fitting to begin here.  Following a series of email exchanges, I was asked to provide a brief article for the diocesan archives, describing the origins of the diocese's arms as well as some background information on la Rose.  Little did I know at the time, the Diocese of Richmond would later publish my article in 2019 in concert with the diocese's bicentennial logo competition.  

One interesting data point to consider, and one that I missed earlier in 2014 regarding Richmond's arms.  When devising new arms for dioceses, la Rose frequently incorporated a reference by way of a charge or colors to the dedication of the see's cathedral.  

In checking the history of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, the building's construction began in 1903 and was completed by 1906--well before la Rose's design for the arms of the diocese in 1913 (Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 2023 September 16).  La Rose did not use this method of referencing the see's cathedral in the arms of Richmond, and I cannot explain why--a minor detail I missed in my earlier research.  

It's rather amusing to read my work from nearly 10 years ago--I was firmly in my post-seminary writing mode, or a "highly romanticized" style which my doctorate would later calm.  Scholarly writing in the social sciences is quite straightforward given the clinical conventions of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.  

When I begin drafting a book manuscript on la Rose in the coming months, I will be challenged to convert back to my beloved Chicago-style.  I mean, who doesn't enjoy a good footnote?  Below is my article, "Arms of the Diocese of Richmond: Origins and Designs," to peruse.  Dear reader, please forgive me.       

Works Cited

Brassard, G. (1956).  Biographical and heraldic dictionary of the Catholic bishops in America (vol. 2).  Stobbs Press, Inc.

Boston Sunday Post (1903 February 15).  Harvard professors object the side-spitting caricatures of themselves by talented students.  Boston Sunday Post, 26.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (2023 September 16).  Our cathedral: Cathedral history.  Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. https://www.richmondcathedral.org/our-cathedral/

La Rose, Pierre de C. (1911).  The arms of his Eminence Cardinal Gibbons.  In H.J. Heuser (Ed.), The Ecclesiastical Review, vol. 5(45), pp. 2-11.

La Rose, Pierre de C. (1913).  Recent episcopal arms.  In H.J. Heuser (Ed.), The Ecclesiastical Review, vol. 49(July), pp. 90-96.

La Rose, Pierre de C. (1920).  Recent episcopal coat of arms.  In H.J. Heuser (Ed.), The Ecclesiastical Review, vol. 62(July), 41.

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.