A parish in Ohio commissioned this carving as a frontispiece for an ambo, as their patron was Our Lady Help of Christians. Because we knew the carving would ultimately be painted white and gilded with gold in parts, we chose poplar as the medium. Poplar is a light and easy-to-carve wood, sometimes used in cabinetry. This project was one of our first full-scale human figures, and particular emphasis was placed on the details of the face and cloak.