This was done on a one square foot, pure heart, quarter sawn redwood. After the block was sandblasted, it was varnished, heightening the grain and enriching its natural color.

When dry, small holes were drilled for the beads. Fine sandpaper on the flat surface area where the holes were drilled insured a clean surface.

The flat surface was painted a light creme acrylic.
The colored beads were pushed in each little hole with a dab of glue. I used the beads to reference the ornamentation so prevalent in the Byzantine rite.

The translation of the Ukrainian "АНГЕЛЕ МІЙ ОХОРОНИ НАС” is “AN-GEL MINE, PROTECT US” .