'All of a sudden the girls are really interested in our religion classes. I don't know what you're doing, but just keep doing it.'
~Saints for Sinners local testimonial

Saints for Sinners: Handpainted artistic renderings of historical religious figures, with bright and bold colors and patterns to breathe life into the bold and inspiring stories of the lives of the saints. 

After a career in law, Saints for Sinners founding creator Rob Clemenz began seeking less confrontation and more balance in his life and work. He found inspiration in the stories of the saints and the patronage each represents.

And so he began handpainting the traditionally grey and silver medals with meticulous care and adoration for the work and for the lives and spiritual messages these medallions honor.

"There were people who wearing the medals, and they said they were never taking the medals off," said Rob. "And then I thought, 'Well, maybe I'm onto something here.'"

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"And I started painting more medals, and writing more stories about the saints, and then I became convinced that these things needed to be brightened up," said Rob. "And there was no reason why these saints medals shouldn't be colorful, fashionable, pretty, and presentable to everyone, not just Catholics."

"People like the concept of a patron saint that can offer hope or comfort or to console someone when they're having a difficult time," said Rob. "And there are just so many different topics that my inventory has grown from two medals to 200 medals."

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St. Catherine of Siena, Patron of Diplomacy and Girl Power	St. Sebastian, Patron of Athletes and Body Piercers	Madonna of the Streets, Patron of Travelers	St. Monica, Patron Saint of Mothers with Troubled Children

 
"When you're wearing it and feeling the power of the medal, it's sort of indescribable," said Rob, "But I know from the testimonials that we've gotten that people really identify with the various aspects of patronage."

Alongside the traditional and well-known stories and titles of the saints, Rob has taken liberty in being inspired by the saints' histories and achievements. With his own creative spin that "strays off the menu," Rob has modernized many of the saints' centuries-old tales into both eye-catching and relatable works of wearable art and prose.

 

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And from these stories of the saints through the handpainted medals has sprouted a renewed interest in the saints, by everyone from rock stars to high school students.

"One day a religion teacher at Mount Carmel called me. I thought I was about to get a lecture because I was painting these medals," said Rob. "She said, 'Listen, I have no idea what you're doing. But all of a sudden the girls are really interested in our religion classes. I don't know what you're doing. But just keep doing it.'"

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