Tess uses traditional and contemporary styles and heavy weight, roughly textured water colour paper. Her lettering is drawn in water resistant inks of archive quality and are fade resistant. Illuminations are completed in high quality watercolour paint.

The original pieces, which can viewed at Tess' studio in Monmouth, are available for purchase. If not fully satisfied, all pieces can be returned for a full refund.

Click here to visit other gallery, featuring work on a Sacred and Spiritual theme.

Limited Edition Hand Finished Prints

Many of Tess' pieces are available as limited edition prints which can be ordered as a single item or in volume. They are reproduced by using the very best, colour managed Giclee printing equipment using archival quality papers and inks. 

Each piece is individually hand finished by Tess which includes embossing and using gold, copper or metal leaf and is framed in quality beech or birch. Some pieces are only available in hand made ash frames. This is reflected in the price. You can discuss any other framing requirements with Tess if you prefer something other than stated. Individually made frames will vary in price according to the frame you choose.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL TESSIE'S WORK IS NOW HAND-FRAMED AND PRICES HAVE BEEN AMENDED ACCORDINGLY. IF YOU HAVE SPECIAL FRAMING REQUIREMENTS PLEASE ASK TESSIE.

Please click on the picture or link under each picture for a bigger version and more details, including sizes, price and media used.

To Give But Not to Count the Cost

People in care-giving professions, and parents who find themselves serving the daily needs of their children, need to hear this ancient prayer by Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491 - July 31, 1556) - a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family.
He was a hermit, a priest since 1537, and a theologian who founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): I have interpreted these words with images of hands in different contexts, working, reaching out, comforting, praying and being creative. The words 'Not to seek for any reward' are depicted as though cut into slate to demonstrate discipline, skill and permanence. Words from Gandhi and St Francis of Assisi have been included in the work.

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Large:        53 x 66 cm £275
Medium:    37 x 47 cm £195
Small:        24 x 35 cm £135

To buy, contact Tess.

Since He Clings To Me In Love v14-pt15

These words are taken from the psalm of Compline - Psalm 90 - expresses trust in God in the face of frightening adversity. Compline is the final church service of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours.
The English word Compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the working day. The word was first used in this sense about the beginning of the 6th century by St. Benedict in his Rule.
Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, and certain other Christian denominations with liturgical traditions prescribe Compline services. Compline tends to be a contemplative Office that emphasizes spiritual peace. In many monasteries it is the custom to begin the "Great Silence" after Compline, during which the whole community, including guests, observe silence throughout the night until the morning service the next day.

Large:        30 x 30 cm £160
Medium:    26 x 26 cm £125

To buy, contact Tess.

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

St. Francis was born at Assisi in 1182. After a care free youth, he turned his back on inherited wealth and committed himself to God. Like many early saints, he lived a very simple life of poverty, and in so doing, gained a reputation of being the friend of animals. He established the rule of St Francis, which exists today as the Order of St. Francis, or the Franciscans. He died in 1226, aged 44. The prayer has many of the biblical truths of what it means to be a Christian - to seek to give, and in so doing, receive blessings. This piece features St Francis at the top of the work and has a Franciscan cross set into the text.

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Large:        40 x 76cm £275
Medium:    36 x 76 cm £195
Small:        16 x 37 cm £145

To buy, contact Tess.

Invocation To the Holy Spirit

The following prayer was revealed during a Vigil service on the eve of Pentecost 2009 at Holy Trinity RC Church, Ledbury. Invocation to the Holy Spirit: Come powerful wind, announcing the presence of the living God. Come consuming fire, burning away all that is not of you. Come breath of God, bringing to birth new life in our hearts. Come streams of living water welling up in our hearts, bringing refreshment and healing to a dry and weary land. In this piece I have used the image of a tree through the seasons. Just as the tree grows whilst being exposed to the elements, we are made stronger through our lives by going through good and bad experiences.

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Large:        85 x 34cm £265
Medium:    60 x 35 cm £195
Small:        30 x 15 cm £120

To buy, contact Tess.

Royal Naval Collect

This piece was commissioned by The Royal Naval Chaplaincy service to be presented to the Bishop to The Forces, The Right Reverend David Connor, the Dean of Windsor, on his retirement. Hand finished prints of this piece have been presented to other clergy, to whom it has special significance on occasions, such as anniversaries and retirement.

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Large:    65 x 55 cm (approx) £275
Medium: 50 x 40 cm £195
To buy, contact Tess.

Here I Am Lord

The words to this piece were written by Daniel L Schutte. They were inspired by the verses from the book of Genesis 46:2 "And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I." The thinking behind this piece is to represent the idea of an icon and to suggest the Lord watching over us. The fish in the piece represents Jesus being The Fisherman. Mark Chapter 5.

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Large:      64 x 64 cms £285
Medium:   50 x 50 cms £245
Small:       30 x 30 cms £150
Petite:       26 x 26 cms £135

To buy, contact Tess.

Choose You This Day

The words in this piece are taken from he book of Joshua. Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel , and they presented themselves before God. "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshipped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt , and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates , or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." The piece also has the latin translation of the verse, eligite hodie quod placet cui servire potissimum debeatis ego autem et domus mea serviemus Domino.

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Large:      94 x 44 cms £275
Medium:   64 x 28 cms £195
Small:       19 x 40 cms £145

This piece is available in a handmade frame or unframed and mounted.

To buy, contact Tess.

Deep Peace

The words are from an Irish blessing which are adapted from the from the poem The Dominion of Dreams : Under a Dark Star by Fiona Macleod 1895. 'Deep peace of the running wave to you, deep peace of the flowing air to you, deep peace of the quiet earth to you deep, peace of the gentle light to you.' I have tried to use calming colours to reflect the presence of nature and the symbol of the fish.


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Size framed:
Large      44 x 94 cms £275
Medium   28 x 64 cms £195
Small       21 x 40 cms £145

This piece is available in a handmade frame or unframed and mounted.

To buy, contact Tess.

O Lord You Search Me

The Words are from Psalm 139. O Lord you search and you know me All my thoughts lie open to your gaze. This psalm is glorifying God as Creator and talks about an all knowing, all seeing all powerful God but it is a prayer of confession and supplication.


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Size:
Large      53 x 66 cms £275
Medium   37 x 47 cms £195
Small       24 x 35 cms £145

To buy, contact Tess.

The Lord is my Shepherd

These much loved words come from the 23rd Psalm of the Geneva Bible of 1560. Around the pictures the words are from the 14th Century Wyclif Bible in which they appear as Psalm 22. The illustrations aim to convey the peace and comfort we seek from nature, the sky and the still waters.


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Size:
Large      53 x 66 cms £275
Medium   37 x 47 cms £195
Small       24 x 35 cms £145

To buy, contact Tess.

As truly as God is our Father so God is our Mother

From the writings of Julian of Norwich (c. 1342-c. 1413) who is considered to be one of the greatest English mystics. Little is known of her life aside from her writings. Julian's theology was optimistic, speaking of God's love in terms of joy and compassion as opposed to law and duty. Circular design with distressed effect gold leaf on central cross.


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Size:  30 x 30 cm
Price: £145

To buy, contact Tess.

All Shall Be Well

The most notable quotation from the writings of Julian of Norwich.  This simple piece in neutral colours with one cross which is hand finished with gold leaf.


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Size:   26 x 26 cm
Price:  £ 120

To buy, contact Tess.

In the Beginning

This is a complex piece with verses from the Book of Genesis illustrating the days of the Creation, interwoven with lines from David Gascoyne's poem The Three Stars prophesying the coming of Christ. It contains illuminated windows painted in water colour and is embossed and finished with 23 ct gold leaf.

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Size:
Large      53 x 66 cms   £275
Medium   37 x 47cms   £195
Small       24 x 35 cms   £145

To buy, contact Tess.

May The Lord Bless You and Keep You

This comforting blessing from the Book of Numbers Chapter 6 verses 24-26 has been adapted as a prayerful hymn - finished with a gold embossed Canterbury style cross. Medium sized piece which could hang in church or home.
New image to be shown - coming soon

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Limited Edition Hand Finished Prints:
Large        50 x 50 cms £195
Medium      30 x 30 cms £145
Small         26 x 26cm £120

To buy, contact Tess.

The Lords Prayer

The Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6 9-13 written in Saxon English circa 8th century. Painted in tones of yellow ochre, red oxide and sepia. Illuminated and embossed with gold leaf.

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Size:
Large      32 x 68 cms   £265
Small       18 x 33cms    £120

Love is Patient Love is Kind

Verses from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. In the original scripture, Paul uses the Greek word Agape which means the kind of love that is for the wellbeing of all. This passage is often heard in marriage services and in fact we had it in our own wedding. The lettering forms the background to the heart which is in shades of deep red and purples. The heart is embossed and finished in distressed gold leaf.

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Size:
Large      50 x 50 cms  £195
Medium   30 x 30 cms  £145
Small       26 x 26cms   £120

To buy, contact Tess.

The Heart has No Words But Cannot Contain Itself in Silence

A very personal piece inspired by the words from Dr Rowan Williams' The Wound of Knowledge. Rowan is a family friend from his time as Bishop of Monmouth. He confirmed my son Tom at St David's Church Bettws Newport. The simply written words form a background to the heart which is embossed and finished in dark red inks and distressed gold leaf to represent the scars of human emotion.

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Limited Edition Hand Finished Prints
Large      53 x 66 cms £275
Medium   37 x 47cm £195
Small      24 x 35cm £145

To buy, contact Tess.

May the Road Rise To Meet You

Traditional Irish blessing from Pocket Celtic Prayers compiled by Canon Martin Wallace with Celtic lettering and gold leaf Canterbury crosses.

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Size:
Large      37 x 67 cms  £235
Small     18 x 33 cms   £120
(This piece is available in a handmade frame or unframed and mounted).

To buy, contact Tess.

May His Soul Be Welcomed Into Heaven

A dedication to the British hostage Kenneth Bigley executed in Iraq. The piece draws on the tributes paid by Rev Trevor Latham and others at the Memorial Service in Liverpool Cathedral. The circular design symbolises the universal concern for victims of violence throughout the world. It is displayed as a focal point for prayer and contemplation in Kenneth Bigley's parish church, St Mary's Walton on the Hill.

Size: 70 x 72 cms
Not for Sale

In the Palm of His Hand

Irish blessing based on verses from the Book of Numbers. Circular celtic design embossed with distressed copper finish.

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Size:
Large      50 x 50 cms   £255
Medium   30 x 30 cms   £150
Small       23 x 23 cms   £120


To buy, contact Tess.

Be Still ….

In memory of my grandmother. This piece has been bought by several churches and used as a focus for prayer and meditation. Psalm 46 Verse 10. Distressed copper leaf cross. Muted shades of deep purple and olive green embossed copper leaf.
New image to be shown - coming soon

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Size:
Large      53 x 66 cms  £275
Medium   37 x 47 cms  £195
Small       24 x 35 cms  £145

To buy, contact Tess.

The Good Priest

Thomas Ken (July1637-March 1711), English churchman, was the most eminent of the English non-juring bishops, and one of the fathers of modern English hymnology. He was the Bishop of Bath and Wells and wrote these verses in honour of those entering the priesthood. This piece has proved a popular ordination gift.

Size:
Large      27 x 66 cms £235
Small       18 x 33 cms  £120

To buy, contact Tess.

Labyrinth
This piece is based on the Labyrinth at Cape Town Cathedral, which is of medieval design.  It is possible to walk this labyrinth with your finger whilst meditating.  Those who have done it have found it has a very calming effect.  This piece was commissioned by a doctor for his wife who was being ordained.  She had very strong South African connections, hence the use of the African influences in the Illumination, showing 'water' 'plants' 'animals' 'humans' 'angels' and 'God'.

In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth (Gk. labyrinthos) was an elaborate structure constructed for King Minos of Crete and designed by the legendary artificer Daedalus to hold the Minotaur, a creature that was half man and half bull and which was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus.  Daedalus had made the Labyrinth so cunningly that he himself could barely escape it after he built it.  A labyrinth can be represented both symbolically and/or physically.  Symbolically it is represented in art or designs on pottery, as body art, etched on walls of caves, etc. Physical representations are common throughout the world, and are generally constructed on the ground so they may be walked along from entry point to center and back again.  They have historically been used in both group ritual and for private meditation.

During the Classical period there was the concept of the Great Chain of Being.  Its major premise was that every existing thing in the universe had its "place" in a divinely planned hierarchical order.  An object's "place" depended on the relative proportion of "spirit" and "matter" it contained--the less "spirit" and the more "matter", the lower down it stood.  At the bottom, for example, stood various types of inanimate objects, such as metals, stones, and the four elements (earth, water, air, fire).  Higher up were various members of the vegetative class, like trees and flowers.  Then came animals; then humans; and then angels.  At the very top was God.

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Size:
Large      53 x 66 cms   £275
Medium   37 x 47 cms    £195
Small       24 x 35 cms    £145

To buy, contact Tess.