Illuminated Manuscripts
Like her grandfather, Fausto Tasca, Sandra Tasca has devoted her life to the visual arts. She trained in photography at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Master of Fine Art. She studied book design at the Rhode Island School of Design. Sandra also completed a Master of Theological Studies at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California.
Sandra now focuses her energy on creating “illuminated manuscripts.” Her books are carefully designed to be viewed on an electronic screen, or in traditional hardcopy form.
The name given to Sandra’s illuminated manuscripts plays on the name of Medieval and Renaissance books which were brilliantly “illuminated” through the use of gold or silver leaf. Sandra’s books are illuminated by the indirect light of an electronic screen. Like the ancient works, Sandra’s manuscripts serve to “enlighten” the reader through the presentation of spiritual ideas directed towards opening the heart and spirit to further growth. The creation of Sandra’s illuminated manuscripts was inspired by her desire to share frequently overlooked texts which convey profound wisdom. She was also influenced by Benedict XVI’s exhortation to spread peace through “The Way of Beauty.”
As was the case with early European works, Sandra's Illuminated Manuscripts contain images and words. The images were specifically created to accompany the written word, and are all original works by Sandra Tasca. The texts are sourced primarily from the great age of western European manuscripts, which roughly spans the 5th to the 15th centuries. The texts were selected to communicate the spiritual understanding of the era from which they were taken.
The Illuminated Manuscripts can be previewed or ordered by accessing Sandra's Blurb Bookstore.
Please address inquiries to Sandra at tascafineart@gmail.com
The Love’s Evangelist exhibition was held at the Blackfriar’s Gallery in Berkeley from January through July 2019. It featured a dozen broadsheets and four photographic collages, all designed to present the life and wisdom of the great medieval mystic, Catherine of Siena.
To view a video interview with Sandra about the exhibition, click here.
This volume features text taken from Catherine of Siena’s prayers and letters. The great mystic’s wisdom is illuminated with original photographs taken in Pisa, Siena, and Rome in 2017.
A Portable Sanctuary is being updated, and for this reason is currently unavailable to view.
This Illuminated Manuscript re-presents Bonaventure of Bagnoregio's spiritual guide to mystical union with God. In this work Bonaventure describes seven steps the "desiring soul" should follow to achieve the highest state of mystical contemplation. Journey of the Soul into God is considered a masterpiece of Medieval philosophy.
A translation from the French of four conversations between Brother Lawrence and his spiritual mentor. In the conversations this simple, but very hold man, discusses his prayer life, and how he opens his heart to the presence of God in everyday circumstances.
Conversations & Letters also includes most of the known letters from Brother Lawrence. His words are simple, and full of profound wisdom.
To preview or order Conversation & Letters of Brother Lawrence, click here.
Art Books, Selected Prints
flora
The lovely art prints collected in this book are selections from three different projects — “Autumn Glories,” “Morning Glories,” and “flora.” The 41 page book is simply designed, and the images are printed on high quality paper. Flora is a beautiful coffee table book, and would make an excellent gift.
Deadly Sins
This collection contains seven photographic images, each portraying one of the seven deadly sins. The black and white photos are still life images, shot in a film noir style.
These images will printed to order using archival quality Hannemuhl paper. The paper size is 13 x 19”. Please write to tascafineart@gmail.com with “Seven Sins prints” in the subject line.
A Little Book of Saints
This book presents photographic "portraits" of 12 heroes of western Christianity. The images were carefully created to follow the style of the great Spanish painter, Francisco Zurbaran.
Saints Patrick, Teresa of Avila, and Catherine of Siena are three of the holy men and women included in this work.
flora is a suite of twenty-five beautifully lit photographs of American flora. The plant material was gathered from various locations in the United States, from New Jersey to Washington.
All the photographs can also be purchased individually; they will be printed to order on Hannemuhl archival paper. For further information, please write to tascafineart@gmail.com with “flora prints” in the subject line.
This small book presents photographic "portraits" of 12 heroes of western Christianity. The portraits are still life photographs, and use traditional symbols, or attributes, to identify each Saint. The photos were created following the style of the great Spanish painter, Francisco Zurbaran.
Saints Patrick, Teresa of Avila, and Catherine of Siena are three of the holy men and women included in this work.
The "Deadly Sins" is a series of seven black and white photographs. Each image presents a different one of the seven deadly sins. The sins portrayed are pride, gluttony, lust, sloth, envy, anger, and greed.
