Restoring St Rita (of Cascia)

This five minute video documents the restoration of a 1914 statue of St. Rita. Created by Deprato Statuary Co (which still operates in Chicago) this statue's history is incredible! It once stood in the now-closed St. Brigid's Church, but it was also once retrieved from a pawn shop! And now she returns to the majesty she deserves with a complete restoration.
We hope you enjoy our video. And as a small family-based operation, we'd really appreciate a like, a follow or a share! Thanks for watching! #statuerestoration #statuerepair

[@AI-hx3fx]

This is a very unusual form of Saint Rita, since the scene is almost always depicted in flat forms. As far as her statues come, her statues, usually have a simply standing. Beautiful job on a beautiful piece!

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

We agree it’s rare! And thank you!

[@analarson2920]

Amazing job. Very talented to refinish it so well.

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Thank you for your kind comment! 🙏

[@felixgarnet]

Fascinating to see from start to finish. ❤

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

🙏 glad you enjoy watching! And thank you!

[@steventrosiek2623]

Amazing restoration and artwork. I'm sure that Saint Rita looks better than new.

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

You're very kind. Thank you Steven!

[@larrywakeman4371]

STELLAR work! I am a fine artist and my father and I loved restoring statuary :). He would LOVE this if he was here.....bless,... statue is stunning....

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Thank you 🙏 Larry! We’d love to see an example of your work if any is posted? Especially any statuary! 🤗

[@larrywakeman4371]

WIll find it and post!@@BrushworksStatueRestoration

[@thierrylegrain8463]

Sympa aussi le petit assistant écureuil, qui vient aider 😄🐿

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

😆

[@tiagostanczyk5665]

Parabéns um trabalho espetacular!!

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

¡Gracias, Tiago!

[@carbonc6065]

Nice!

[@thierrylegrain8463]

Bonjour Monsieur Steve, votre St Rita est vraiment magnifique, un grand bravo aussi a Madame qui maîtrise parfaitement la peinture. J'adore vos vidéos, un petit coucou de France . Cordialement Thierry....Le lien de ma vidéo est le suivant : Mes restaurations 1 ...

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Merci! 🙂

[@jetbuenconsejo5852]

another successful restoration! congratulations to your team!

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Thanks so much, Jet!

[@user-rp5bb8nt6x]

Bravo Bravo Bravo Maestro

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Gracia! 🤗

[@luizaugustofigueira1445]

Ficou muito linda

[@Worldfriends218]

what the best way of removing old paint from a our lady plaster statue the very bad

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

We will be glad to offer you some free advice. Could you please go to our website and fill out the form that says contact us? We would like to see a couple of photos and then we can offer our best opinion. Thank you. www.Statuerestorers.com

[@DAquingil]

Magnificent work! It’s truly inspirational watching you transform this piece. I’m currently working on a large statue of St. Michael. I was a little concerned about transporting him to my workshop, so I’m working in the church’s back room. I see that you transported St. Rita in your pickup. Did you have far to go, and how did you secure her in the truck?

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Actually that was a small trailer! We would have preferred to avoid moving her but the statue needed so much work the travel time daily would have dragged on the restoration. It was about 50 minutes each way. And thank you for your kind words!

[@coyotedust]

There are hundreds of vintage antique religious statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, Jesus Crucified, Saints, and Angels. I was baptized Catholic in 2010, but have a spiritual calling to preserve these pieces, but want to be trained under a master so the statue is historically restored to it's former magnificence. Do you ever take apprentices to learn the restoration trade, or do you know of any workshops still active that made religious statues and teach and /or hire students to learn the trade?

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Hi there ! We have taken on a few apprentices over the years. Just not at the moment. Where are you located Coyote?

[@debbieduval9344]

Very beautiful!!

[@thewiseowl000]

❤❤❤❤

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

🙏

[@sukeystack]

What is the epoxy paste you used? And is it acrylic paints you are applying?

[@stevewinogron992]

Hi there. This project required gap bonding as well as filling with new plaster. We used a two-part mixable epoxy glue consisting of resin and hardener. This is readily available from craft stores, or even handyman (person?) type stores. Ventilation is important because most epoxies have a strong odor. The filler and re-sculpting material is HydroCal plaster. The paint is latex, and we use indoor or outdoor depending on the project and where it will be displayed. Undercoat (primer) is usually a good first step. Hope this helps, Sukeystack!

[@sukeystack]

@@stevewinogron992 I got involved with repairing plaster statues about 10 years ago. I was familiar with your choices. I used hydrocal(learned about it from art school) with cloth to strengthen the repairs inside. The paints were strictly indoor acrylics. It Is great to see, and learn, the detail methods you use. I had no clue how to repair loose paints so I avoided doing those repairs. Thank you for these videos!

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

Our pleasure. And we’d love to see a sample of your work sometime if you’d care to share it! Best wishes.

[@deer563]

Is the statue made of wood or chalk what material is it made of.

[@BrushworksStatueRestoration]

It is all plaster! But it sure looks like the kneeler is made of wood, doesn’t it?

[@deer563]

@@BrushworksStatueRestoration yes it does.