The Modern Saints is a series of portrait paintings using the style of traditional Christian icons; but instead painting the saints as people in our modern world. Not only do they have an updated look, but they are also more realistic. The artist corrected their ages and ethnicities to show the places they were actually from.
She wanted these paintings to appeal to the modern generations to help show them that the church really is more diverse than many think it to be—and also, more importantly, that it is made up of humans just like them. When people realize that these amazing figures throughout history came from the same backgrounds and situations as they have, and maybe even look like them, they will realize that they themselves can strive to find the saints as role models for their everyday lives.
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Traditional icons are unrealistic, and the people appear old, unemotional, usually white, and two dimensional. This outdated image is part of what turns people away from the church in the modern day.
She also paints on thrifted pieces of wood in all shapes and sizes to further the notion that extraordinary things can come from and be found in even the most forgotten, ugly, disregarded things—like thrift store wooden plaques.
Source: designfaves.com