I remember the day I discovered Ampersand clay boards, it was in an Art Supply store in Miami. That was 25 years ago. I was 5 years into icon painting; specifically traditional byzantine style icons in egg tempera. I realized quite quickly, if I was going to enjoy icon painting I would have to give up the ' Art ' of preparing the boards for icon painting in a traditional way. The process may be rewarding work but applying gesso to a solid wood board requires a certain mind set. The gesso ... Read More about Ampersand Clay Boards and Icon Painting
PENTECOST, FILLED THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT
Christians celebrate Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Easter, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and brings the church into existence. It is the fulfillment of God’s promise to pour out his Holy Spirit on all flesh, empowering diverse people to exercise divine power. The moment of Pentecost, filled the world with spirit, and opened the gates to begin a new era for humanity. Gazing at an icon generates insight into the Church’s understanding of the ... Read More about PENTECOST, FILLED THE WORLD WITH SPIRIT
Painting with Dry Pigments
What Dry Pigments of Color to Use? The paint used in egg tempera, is actually ‘million year old’ stone, finely ground into powder and suspended in an egg/water emulsion. Dry Pigments are sandy particles which settle on the flat surface of your board, finding their own rest and natural condition. We use ground stone from all around the world, minerals, metals and oxides, that each has their own integrity and behavior as they dry. As the Dry Pigments sets the water rises to the surface and ... Read More about Painting with Dry Pigments
Iconographers Seek the Unseen
Mountain Climbers climb towards the light, they arrive at the summit where a small place to stand offers the greatest view Iconographers ascend towards the Light; the icon is a journey which reveals how we move from "being without form" to "being with Light." The discipline of icon painting in egg tempera manifests abundant spiritually in the heart and mind. Those who journey the path of icon painting are provided a format to explore three specific dimensions of consciousness. Iconographers ... Read More about Iconographers Seek the Unseen
MARY, Miraculously Conceived
In some of the oldest theology concerning Mary, we have her represented as the Burning Bush. Moses to God speaking to her. (icons of St Catherine's Monastery Sinai). The theologians of the middle ages debated the nature of Mary the mother of Jesus. How could this man/god be born of someone as common as one of us? Since Christ is all man and all God, His mother would have to be ALL divine. The church institution fashioned the idea of the Immaculate Conception, and it was declared doctrine in ... Read More about MARY, Miraculously Conceived
