iNSECT pests and grubs chewing away merrily at the leaves of our trees, our vegetables, or our carefully grown dahlias or roses will usually cause at least an annoyed remark and a dash for the knife or insecticide . . .
But the reaction from Brother Adrian Lewis is very different. The tortuous patterns left by Insects on foliage gave him the idea of "engraving" manmade beauty on nature's artistry.
Using pins, needles, razor blades and brushes he depicts scenes of the Nativity, Our Lady, and the Sacred Head. Literally priceless. since he refuses to sell them, Brother .Adrian's artistic leaves have been scattered all over the world as gifts. Some are owned by the Pope.
Aged I'S, Brother Adrian has been etching on leaves for some 45 years. He is now looking forward to his golden jubilee as a member of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
He is an American and has spent the past 25 years as head of the placement bureau of N e w York's Manhattan College.