Exploring the Divine Through Iconography: Kathleen Crombie’s Journey in Sacred Art

Kathleen Crombie, a Catholic iconographer from Dearborn, has been creating icons since the early 2000s, viewing the ancient art form as a “door to the divine” and a language of faith. Crombie describes praying before an icon as a meeting with a saint, where one can glimpse how God sees them through the holy artwork. She believes that every person is created in the image of Christ, making praying with an icon an interaction with the divine.

After attending a workshop on iconography in Mystic, Connecticut, Crombie felt called to pursue this art form, leaving behind a career in contemporary basket making and working for Right to Life of Michigan. She sees herself as an instrument of God’s will in creating icons, with God being the true artist behind her work.

Crombie’s icons can be seen in various locations, including the Divine Mercy Center in Clinton Township and the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. She approaches each commission with prayer, seeking God’s guidance on whether to create a particular icon. For Crombie, iconography is not just a hobby but a way to connect her pro-life witness with depicting and defending the image and likeness of God.

While Crombie is hesitant to pick a favorite icon, she finds a special connection to Jesus the Divine Mercy. She emphasizes that the value of an icon lies not in the artist’s skill, but in the prayer and faith that go into creating it. Ultimately, Crombie sees her work as a way to bring others closer to God through the beauty and symbolism of iconography.