Tracy Councill, a painter, printmaker and art therapist, was always fascinated by traditional icons.

After studying with iconographer Suzanne Schleck, she began painting icons of her own design. Her icons were painted in the traditional way, using gold leaf and egg tempera on prepared linden boards. Rather than copy existing icons, Councill explored the scripture and traditions surrounding a subject and designed her own icon to reflect her interpretation of the story—hence, the term “modern icons.”

Her designs included lesser-known saints such as Absalom Jones and Pauli Murray, and a diptych of Buddha and Jesus.