Frequently Asked Questions

At The Art of Being a Saint, we strive to honor the saints' lives through historically informed, culturally respectful, and spiritually inspiring depictions. Below are answers to common questions about our process, methods, and mission.

1. Why do you use research and technology for saint depictions?

We believe in combining trusted historical research with emerging technologies to create immersive and respectful saint representations. This approach allows us to present saints in a way that is both historically grounded and deeply engaging for modern audiences.

2. How do you ensure historical accuracy?

Our process involves:

  • Historical Research: Exploring the saint’s time, region, and culture.
  • Anthropology: Consulting genetic studies, skeletal findings, and population data to infer likely traits.
  • Artistic References: Reviewing early mosaics, frescoes, or descriptions of individuals from the saint’s context.

While no depiction can be perfectly accurate, we aim for historical plausibility that avoids modern or cultural biases.

3. Do you use AI to create these depictions?

Yes, we thoughtfully use AI as a research assistant and a creative aid to refine visual concepts. However, every final depiction undergoes careful human review to ensure accuracy, consistency, and spiritual intention. AI helps us enhance efficiency, but the process remains guided by thoughtful design and faith.

4. Why focus on traits like skin tone, hair, and facial features?

We believe saints should be celebrated as individuals shaped by their time, culture, and region. Incorporating traits like skin tone or facial features helps honor their identities and heritage, avoiding anachronisms or Eurocentric biases often found in traditional depictions.

For example, Saint Perpetua (3rd-century North African martyr) is thoughtfully portrayed with medium-dark skin and tightly curled hair, reflecting her historical and cultural context.

5. Are these depictions perfectly accurate?

No visual depiction can achieve perfect accuracy without direct evidence, such as portraits or physical remains. Instead, we aim for respectful, research-based representations that honor the saint’s context, legacy, and virtues.

6. How do you balance research and creativity?

We use research to establish a foundation for each depiction. From there, we thoughtfully apply artistic creativity to:

  • Develop headshots and profiles that reflect the saint’s traits.
  • Create symbolic scenes that highlight their virtues, struggles, and triumphs.
    This balance ensures depictions remain respectful, consistent, and spiritually uplifting.

7. Why not just use traditional saint depictions?

Traditional depictions often reflect the cultural context of the artist rather than the saint’s time or region. While we deeply respect these works, our process complements them with historically informed representations that reflect the saints' diverse identities and heritage.

8. What happens if new research disproves a depiction?

Our framework is living and evolving. If credible new research provides better insights, we are committed to revising depictions to ensure they remain accurate and respectful.

9. What role does symbolism play in your work?

Symbolism is central to our creative process. While headshots and profiles reflect historical plausibility, action-oriented and symbolic scenes incorporate artistic interpretations to convey the saints' virtues, struggles, and faith journeys.

For example, an image of Saint Michael the Archangel might feature his iconic flaming sword to represent divine protection and justice.

10. Can I contribute to or collaborate with your team?

Right now, we’re a team of two, working on The Art of Being a Saint whenever we can. It might look like there’s a big crew behind the scenes—with all the moving parts like web development, social media, saint character design, product development, and more—but it’s just us for now.

We’re always open to thoughtful feedback, though! In the future, as the project grows, we hope to collaborate with historians, theologians, artists, and community members to enrich the work we’re doing.

11. How do you choose which saints to feature?

We feature saints whose stories align with our mission to inspire hope, faith, and reflection. We carefully research each saint’s life, virtues, and historical significance to present their legacy meaningfully.

12. Can saints be depicted differently based on artistic interpretation?

Yes. While we ensure consistency in traits and historical foundations, there is room for artistic interpretation in symbolic and narrative scenes. Creativity allows us to bring their stories to life in ways that inspire and engage.

13. How can these depictions inspire faith?

Our goal is to make saints' stories accessible and relatable. By portraying their struggles, virtues, and triumphs, we hope visitors find inspiration, hope, and encouragement in their own journeys toward faith in Christ.

14. Do you consider cultural and ethical sensitivities?

Yes. We are committed to creating culturally respectful depictions that honor the saints' identities and heritage. Our work is rooted in historical evidence and guided by sensitivity to the diverse traditions and legacies of the saints.

15. What is ASCEND?

ASCEND stands for Artistic Saint Character Exploration and Narrative Design. It is our proprietary framework that is still in beta testing for creating historically grounded, culturally respectful, and spiritually meaningful depictions of saints.

The ASCEND process involves:

  1. Discovery: Researching a saint’s historical, cultural, and physical traits using credible sources like historical records, population studies, and artistic references.
  2. Narrative Development: Crafting engaging, emotionally rich stories that highlight the saint’s virtues, struggles, and faith journey.
  3. Visualization: Generating visual representations such as headshots, side profiles, and action-oriented or symbolic scenes.
  4. Refinement: Ensuring consistency, accuracy, and ongoing improvement as new research emerges.

ASCEND combines research, creativity, and emerging technologies to deliver an immersive experience that honors the saints and inspires modern audiences to reflect on their own faith journey.

Have More Questions?

If you’d like to learn more, contribute feedback, please visit our Contact Page. We’d love to hear from you!