Claudette and John Zeimes-Wagener’s stone house and barn in Huncherange, Luxembourg (in the south of the country), is always a busy place filled with lots of creativity. Claudette is an accomplished iconographer and John is a skilled woodworker.  

Claudette didn’t begin paining until 2005 when she attended a retreat about the spirituality of icons at a monastery in Luxembourg. The retreat offered basic instructions on how to paint icons. Attendees were asked to paint a portrait of the Virgin Mary. Claudette thought it might be fun, but it turned out to be a spiritual awakening as she discovered a gift for creating the ancient, mysterious art form best known in Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox churches. Since then, she has painted more than 650 icons of religious figures and events in various sizes on slate and mostly, wood. She has a multi-room workshop and studio in her Huncherange home where she displays and sells her affordable icons. 

Kevin stumbled upon Claudette on Facebook in 2025 when he saw a post with a beautiful icon of Our Lady of Luxembourg.  

“I had never seen an icon of her before, and it was just gorgeous. I sent Claudette a message saying that I had an upcoming tour in Luxembourg for the 400th jubilee and that I’d love to purchase one of her icons,” Kevin said. 

When he met Claudette and John at their home, John reminded Kevin that they had met in 2013 when the Luxembourg Men’s Choir, of which John was a member, visited Wisconsin for Luxembourg Fest of America. 

John started his woodworking hobby about five years ago when he began cutting boards for Claudette’s iconography. He found hundreds of ideas online and discovered a new passion. John makes a variety of collectible and creative items including clocks and wooden sculptures. He takes pride in the fact that he has created his own variety of Luxembourg designs featuring the Red Lion of Luxembourg and the outline of Luxembourg. 

“I was blown away by John’s talent and beautiful creations,” Kevin said. John gave him two sculptures as gifts and they are displayed in his home along with one of Claudette’s icons that he purchased.

Claudette and John are happy to meet with visiting Luxembourg Americans interested in seeing and purchasing their work.  

“They are super warm and welcoming Luxembourgers with a love for Luxembourg Americans,” Kevin said.   

If you are interested in visiting with Claudette and John, please contact them with ample time before your visit to Luxembourg. Claudette’s email is zeimesclaudette@gmail.com.