Branislav Đerković : Surgical Miniature

  A few weeks ago, I introduced you to a Serbian miniaturist named George Bilak.  Here is yet another Serbian miniaturist who has recently grabbed my attention.  His name is Branislav Derkovic and he lives in Northern Kosovo, in a town called Leposavić. What struck me most of his carvings is the astounding perfection in detail, the…

Continue reading »

The Carved Miniatures of George Bilak

George Bilak is a Serbian carver who now lives in the United States.  He carves miniature icons, pectoral crosses, blessing crosses and eggs that will take your breath away.  I can say without hesitating that he has been one of the biggest influences in how I carve miniatures.  My very first miniature commission, of which…

Continue reading »

A Carver’s Commission

  At the beginning of this story is my bishop, fittingly also the man who received me into the Orthodox Church when he was still a parish priest.  He asked me if I could carve an “engolpion” – a large pendant worn by bishops, usually bearing an icon of  The Virgin and Child. He asked…

Continue reading »