“Crucifixtion” Icon written by Christine Simoneau Hales

egg tempera on wood panel, 24 x 18″

A NEW ERA IN ICON PAINTING

Recapturing the power and relevance of   ancient images in iconography depends, in part, on the iconographer’s willingness to experience the tradition and canon of iconography as a living thing, something that touches their very core.

Today, the wealth of knowledge concerning making icons, and their history lends itself to sharing and communicating with each other to promote the icon as a valuable tool for evangelization in modern society.

It is my hope that those reading and contributing to this blog will be blessed with an increase of Holy Spirit inspiration and sense of honoring community.

Some Important Books Relating to Contemporary Iconography:

• Techniques of Icon and Wall Painting, by Aidan Hart
• Hidden and Triumphant, The Underground Struggle to Save Iconography, by Irina Yazykova
• Behold the Beauty of the Lord, Henri Nouwen

Please feel free to comment on the blog and addcontributionsof relevant websites and resources!

Blessings,

Christine Hales

Hello Everyone:  

Thank you all for being part of this new icon blog and for bearing with it as tweaks get worked out!   I will be taking Master Iconographer Peter Murphy’s icon workshop in Washington DC in June.  Very excited as he will focus on gilding techniques for the whole workshop. Finally!  a chance to really perfect the gold leaf gilding process!!!I will post the results when it is finished.

But for now, a note about icon class schedule for June 2013:

There will be no classes for Woodstock or Albany, New York on June 17, & 24th.  There will be an optional homework assignment given on June 10th for those who wish to practice while on vacation .

Blessings to all of you who are subscribed to this blog.  I love hearing your comments, too.

News:  The WOODSTOCK ICON WRITING CLASS is beginning on Monday, May 6 at the Woodstock Reformed Church, from 1-4PM.  Good time to start writing icons!

Next Post will have info on the new St. Luke’s Iconography Guild. Coming soon – new icon class locations.

This icon of Christ seated on the heavenly throne refers to Revelation 4,        written by Christine Hales   36″ x 36″  egg tempera on wood panel

Currently on view at Nail on the Wall Gallery, Metuchen, NJ

Angel Icon  written by Christine Hales

egg tempera on wood panel  12 x9″

WHY ARE ICONS IMPORTANT TODAY?

Coming to icons as a contemporary painter, I immediately saw that the qualities that make a “good” icon good are precisely the same qualities that make a painting “good”.  There must be a connection given in the icon or work of art to something far greater than the sum of its parts.

Angels are God’s messengers who almost always carry the message “Fear not”. This icon serves as a reminder to completely put our trust in the Lord God and we will surely be blessed.

Mary

Study in Detail, 12 x 9″  egg tempera on wood panel

In iconography two things are very important – the eyes and the light.  The gold of the halo reflects light and brings us into awareness that the saints emanated a divine inner light.  This is what we  perceive when we view the yellow backgrounds, the softly glowing features of the face and garments, shining from within. This is different from secular painting which shows shadows from an exterior light source.

Mary symbolizes the vessel that carried Christ.  Her obedience , holiness, and humility point the way to how we also can be Christ-bearers. The purpose of icons is to assist us in becoming icons of God. The path of our spiritual development is, having accepted the consequences of the Fall,  to restore our likeness to God.