Identifications of armorial bearings: Armorial bearing are very often displayed on everyday items, sacred vessels, buildings and precious objects. By identifying unknown armorial bearings the heraldist can tremendously help art historians, antique dealers and archeologists. For instance the archeologist can refine its datation of a building, the antique broker can re-estimate the price and value of his antiques and the art historian can discover the identity of the person who ordered a work of art. The heraldist can also help private persons who want to find out more about family heirlooms and acquisitions they have made.

I use a technique mixing the best pigments with gouache and watercolors on Arches cold pressed paper rags which have been manufactured in France since the 15th century. I also draw in black and white. I either recreate or design new armorial bearing for my clients. In the case of a recreation I start from the previous design and reinterpret it according to my sensibility. It is often the occasion for families to rediscover the beauty of family arms they only knew in black and white from 19th century armorials which, alas, are not known for their artistic qualities. While going through the documentary process for the recreation I sometimes rediscover forgotten external ornaments which enhance the overall artistic and/or meaningful aspect of the armorial bearings.

I sometimes find errors and correct them to bring back to life the arms as they originally were. The recreation of armorial bearings is very often a command following successful genealogical investigations. The process of creating new armorial bearings is truly enthralling. I always strive to satisfy my clients and as far as creation goes their imagination is the limit. Everything is possible as long as it follows the rules of heraldry and good taste. For instance the personal history, geographical origins or profession of my clients provides material on which to draw on.

But I always remind them that they should not overlook the tremendous POSSIBILITIES offered by their Name and the vocabulary of the blazon (the language with which armorial bearings are described) which allow us an infinite possibility of variations. Canting arms, allusive arms, rebuses are all variations that allow the imagination and creative process to be at their best be it in a local dialect or in a national language.

My hope is that my clients will pass their armorial bearings on to their heirs and see them adopted by many generations to come. The larger part of the demand for new armorial bearing comes from private clients who want to record their name in an original art form or from professionals who want to improve their corporate visibility with meaningful armorial bearings, wine makers for instance ask me to design coat of arms for their vineyards and reproduce them on their labels.

For some years, now, French companies as well as corporate bodies have been showing a renewed interest for heraldry and its potential. As to the matter of corporate bodies cities and borough are the largest group to order armorial bearings (creations or recreations) because they have grown weary of the fickleness of logototypes which last only the years of the newly elected authority. Armorial bearings offer an alternative that will outlast the successive mayors and city councils. I always submit my creations to the National Heraldic Committee on which sits the best French heraldry experts.