Egg Tempera, Icons for a Spiritual Tomorrow

The iconographer paints with traditional egg tempera; egg yolk + water mixed with million year old stone ground into a fine dust called earth pigments.

Egg Tempera, Icons for a Spiritual Tomorrow. Egg yolk represents the raw potential for life and the earth pigment, “eternity”, mixed together to create divine image. Sounds easy! Which part, the painting or the divine image? The process begs the question, who is the artist?

Transforming ideas into Image

Let me reverse the question, how can the image transform me into an idea.  Iconographers are always trying to paint what we cannot see. Experienced iconographers live in a twisted dimension: as you paint you theoretically become the image.

The painting and mystical prayer is the ground for everyday in the studio; painting divine image enables us to realize something quite intimate about God, we create as we are created. Internally iconographers believe “beauty will save the world”, the act of painting transforms us as the beauty of humankind and our potential to see the divine in all things. As an icon painter, I copy image and do not call it my own, traditionally one does not sign an icon because the act itself is considered to be prayer, an ongoing conversation with God. As an artist I “imagine” new images from time to time.

These images continue to transform me, one day I will write one image of lasting beauty for humanity.

Lofty thoughts and ridiculously pious ideas.

 I feel helpless to turn always from such terrific and beautiful ideas. I believe I am an artist within an invisible community; I am witnessed by the early icon painters through the work produced; past, present and future.

These early predecessors of devoutly painted icons influence the dogma and canonical agreements honored today and I hope for a long time to come.

Publications are found on LULU.com  Mary Jane Miller, Icons for a more spiritual tomorrow.

The BOOKS are an offering, to share what the technique has taught me, along with my heart and its journey towards becoming a more loving person, All in Gods time.

Internally iconographers believe “beauty will save the world”, the beauty of humankind and our potential to see the divine in all things. I invite you to buy a book, take a class so you can create one of your own or find the one which speaks to you for your prayer corner or church. Keep the tradition alive, it is a good one.

PRAY FOR THE PLANET

Art History is rich and abundant with beautiful images that reflect humankind’s desire to portray the divine spirit that courses through the physical world.

From the small molecule that previous cultures could not even imagine, to the movements of the stars and planetary bodies yet unseen, there is something which connects it all and keeps it in balance. Artists are the designated visual voice working to create evidence of mankind’s dedication, devotion and curiosity about the realm of spirit.