Skip to main content

My First Attempt at Iconography

I have a fascination and love for iconography, particularly iconography from Eastern Christianity. What draws me to Orthodox iconography, besides the unique style and mesmerizing imagery, is the complete dedication it takes to create one. There are many elements that an artist does to create an authentic, holy icon. For example, it has to be a true representation of anything "holy" by traditional Christian standards. The work and care that goes in to creating such an image is awe-inspiring. The artist must fast for forty days  and live in an ascetic manner, allowing the artist to be in a prayerful state. During the process and after the icon is finished, there are special prayers to be read, and the icon should be blessed. With all this in mind, I decided to try painting a Theotokos icon for my love's family. Even though I knew that any icon of mine would not be authentic, I tried my best to make due with the time and materials that I could afford such a painting.

As far as materials go, wood panels are traditional. They are primed with gesso, and egg tempera is used. Egg tempera requires an egg (yolk only), pigment, and a little water. I used this wooden plaque that I had sitting around my house, and I primed it with a hi-gloss spray. After it dried completely, I sanded down the bumps and sprayed it over again. I then waited until I could paint on the image with acrylic paint and liquid gold leaf (Jesus' robes used tempera, the only orange I had). After I got the base, I worked on shading, then highlights, and then leaf. I decided to keep the wood grain background because it was so beautiful, and looked golden in the light. I maintained a prayerful state through most of the process, and I figured that since I am a vegetarian anyway, that counted as fasting. When I was done, I breathed on the painting in reference to Pentecost, and I asked God to bless the icon.




I am so glad that I finished it in time. I carried it on the plane with me in a paper bag because the coat of gloss that I finished it with was still drying. This was a meditative process for me, more so than with other art I have done, so I don't plan on this being the last icon I create.
Labels:

Comments

  1. linnea-mariaJanuary 10, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    It is beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maria AlexanderJanuary 10, 2015 at 6:55 AM

    that is beautiful work! i love east european iconography too, and even if i´m not christian i still love to have them in my house, they are pretty and i love the femininity of them :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OddGhoulOutJanuary 10, 2015 at 9:49 AM

      Thank you! Yes, they are beautiful pieces of art regardless of religion.

      Delete
  3. Insomniac's AtticJanuary 10, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    That is absolutely amazing! :O

    We bought a couple in Romania that I love, but it never occurred to me to ever make one myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OddGhoulOutJanuary 10, 2015 at 9:48 AM

      I would love to buy an authentic icon one day! They're so expensive here in the states. When I go to Eastern Europe eventually, it would be a good place to buy one.

      Delete
    2. Insomniac's AtticJanuary 11, 2015 at 5:29 PM

      Oh absolutely! I think we paid roughly $10 each for them, and I'm sure the quality isn't the best but I still love 'em. Everything is cheaper in Eastern Europe - I think that's why we like going there so much! :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Devil's Turnaround

Noonday Missionary Baptist Church's Cemetery is also known as "Devil's Turnaround." It is located along a little back road in Kennesaw, Georgia, and most of the graves are scattered in the woods. It is easy to miss, but some of the gravestones are visible from the road. The cemetery has graves from the 1860's. I wouldn't doubt that some of its occupants were slaves at one time. Many say the land is haunted by malevolent spirits who hurl objects and make physical contact--shoving, scratching, and even biting visitors. I could understand why any lingering spirits might be upset: These grounds have been terribly neglected. Much of the graves are broken and toppled over. Some are barely visible through the overgrowth of ivy and weeds. People also say the root of the haunting may be related to rumored cult rituals performed on the property. Located right by the cemetery are huge power lines (high voltage transmission lines). I could hear them b
7 comments
Read more

Let's talk Goth, Consumerism and #zerowaste

Disclaimer:   I do not claim to be an expert on low waste (or "zero waste") living —far from it . The purpose of this piece is to explore what it means to belong to the Goth subculture in the context of consumerism and making sustainable choices. There are many ways to live sustainably, but this piece will focus on reducing waste. This piece does not seek to shame or blame anyone but rather to challenge throw-away attitudes that dominate our world—and the modern Goth subculture—by offering another perspective. Respectful discussion in the comment section is welcomed.  W hen I hear the words "zero waste," I often think of people making videos to show off three months of trash fitting inside a little mason jar, their magical Whole Foods shopping trip, or even a tour of their impossibly-tiny capsule wardrobe. Search #zerowaste on Pinterest and you'll come up with pictures of tidy little beige pantries with uniform mason jars filled with chia seeds, nutri
2 comments
Read more

Depeche Mode Concert

Last night, Depeche Mode came to town. After a long week and much time spent looking forward to this, I'm glad to say I was in attendance. Justean and I ventured off to the venue with little incident this time (meaning not getting horribly lost like before). When we arrived, we noticed what a broad spectrum of fans Depeche Mode reached. There were a lot of drunken middle aged people, but besides that, there was a range of alternative types as well as more mainstream looking people. One thing is for sure that most everyone seemed excited to be there. In fact, at one point, I almost got in an altercation with a couple who was so excited, they decided to squeeze right in front of me and cut me off! Let's just say I got them to vacate my vicinity.  It was a great night for a concert. The moon shone brightly, and looming rain clouds dissipated. As for the show itself, Depeche Mode knows how to work a crowd. They sound mostly the same in concert as on their albums. They eve
14 comments
Read more