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Pantocrator - The Author of Love

7/10/2016

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Icons are steeped in symbolism.  The colors of the garments, the letters, even hand gestures have underlying meanings.  In this icon, Christ’s garment colors are blue and purple. Purple was worn by Kings and the wealthy before and during Christ's life, so Christ wears a purple inner garment because He is our King.  Blue is the color of the sky, in icons it represents purity, heaven, holiness and divinity. Christ wears a blue outer garment, for as our God, He is pure holy and divine.

​We also see on Christ’s purple tunic a bright red strip of cloth, called in Greek the ‘apostolikon’ and in Latin the ‘clavus’. It
 refers to Christ’s teaching in the world. It is also seen in Icons of the prophets, the Apostles and angels.  It is an orange/red color with gold highlights. The red color represents life.  

We also see
 Christ’s right hand is raised in blessing. This is not merely a hand gesture, but an actual blessing of His grace upon the whole world. With His left hand, He holds the Gospel,  In this, we see that Christ still teaches and enlightens the world through the Gospels and speaks to us through these words.  

Within the halo is the shape of a cross and this represents His passion and crucifixion. On the Cross we see the letters "O W N" 
meaning ‘The Being’, or ‘I AM THAT I AM’,  In Exodus 3: 13-14, Moses asked God what should he tell the people if they ask after his, God’s name, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM; and He said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the people of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you”. Here Christ tells us He is the ‘Absolute Being’ that has no beginning or end. The inscription ‘IC XC’ is in abbreviation for the Greek name of Jesus Christ. With the two names of  O W N and IC XC , we testify that Christ is both God and Man.

The lights of the icon are also drenched in symbolism.  The most obvious lights are the 'second lights', which are the geometric shapes as seen on Christ's garments.  These lights depict the light of the soul, our spiritual nature; the fainter 'first lights' depict the light of the body, our physical nature, which forms the base for the second lights. The first light is about the separation of light from darkness;  as in Genesis: 'God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.' (Gen 1:3-4).  The second light is about the separation of light within light.  The first light creates a basic form.  The second light is like the facets of a diamond where the light flows over the facets and breaks into the colors of the rainbow.  The smallest lights within the second lights, or "third lights' are the light of God, the uncreated light.  One can meditate when gazing upon the image that we first see the light of the soul, which contains the light of God, which is awakened within the awareness of our physical nature, the first light.  

"Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law" (Psalm 119:18).  My prayer is for God to open my 'spiritual eyes' to show me the glory of things unseen with my 'natural eyes'.

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Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Gen 1:3

8/30/2015

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The first light of the icon is the created light of God, the light of the cosmos (body).  We are the vessel which receives the presence of God, one step at a time, gradually opening the Divine image.  This first light is the vertical plane (heavenly plane) of the icon.  The light comes from within, not shining from an external source. For the iconographer, care must be taken not to become prideful during this step. The light should speak out, but it needs humility too. Thankfully, humility comes in the next step, a "float" or "veil" of color, the horizontal plane.  May God awaken my heart to receive His goodness and mercy, to shine from within, to diminish my ego, to obey His will.  
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In His Image and Likeness, but Struggling

4/30/2015

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Here it is the last day of April and I am just getting around to adding to my blog.  One reason is that I've been diligently working on icons, starting some and finishing others.  But in all honesty i have to admit that I have been struggling for days to come up with a subject to write about, and keep coming up blank.  No inspiration.  It's not as easy for me to come up with an idea as I thought it would be.  I was taught that we are made in the image and likeness of God.  Part of being created in His image and likeness is that we have a creative instinct.  I do not imagine that God struggles with creativity, but for sure I do!  I hope this dry spell passes, and in the meantime I will offer the struggle for the poor souls in purgatory and end with a prayer to the Holy Spirit:
Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with Your holy gifts.  Let my weakness be penetrated with Your strength this very day.  Assist me in all my trials of life, enlighten me in my ignorance, advise me in my doubts.  Graciously hear me, O Holy Spirit, and pour Your light into my heart, my soul, and my mind.  Amen.
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Love Alone Held Jesus to the Cross

3/31/2015

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"Let us glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in Whom is our Salvation, Life and Resurrection!" (Gal 6:14; Entrance Antiphon, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper)

Because we are entering into the most solemn week of the Church's liturgical year, Holy Week, I decided to add a blog on my Icon of the Crucifixion.


You will notice that in this icon the top bar of the Cross serves as the title, proclaiming Christ as King of Glory. The cross is the symbol of the great victory and power of Christ’s sacrifice through which death is overcome and salvation becomes possible for us.  Jesus is not shown wearing a crown of thorns, but instead a halo of glory. Although He is not shown in agony and suffering, but peacefully reposed, the physical reality of His sacrifice cannot be ignored, therefore the Icon of Christ’s Crucifixion shows this event both in the earthly and heavenly realms.

Next you see Christ’s hands, palms facing upwards, his arms in an embrace, echoing the numerous prayers of the Church, one of which is: Jesus, Who stretchest out Thy hands from the Cross to all, draw me to Thyself, for I too have gone astray!  (Akathist to the Divine Passion of Christ)

Above Jesus’ hands inscribed in abbreviation is His name: IC XC (Jesus Christ).  Below His hands, inscribed in Greek, the word “NIKA”, which means “conquer”. Therefore the full inscription reads: “Jesus Christ Conquers”

To either side of Jesus stand the grieving Saint Mary, Mother of Jesus, and Saint John the Apostle, their sorrow etched into their faces.  Above Saint Mary is inscribed in Greek in abbreviation, her title, Theotokus, translated as “God Bearer”.  

Tradition relates that Christ’s place of execution, Golgotha (meaning the place of the skull) was the site of Adam’s tomb.  Therefore, below the feet of Christ is an abstract depiction of a skull.  We are at once reminded that the loss of Paradise through Adam our forefather, by eating of the forbidden fruit of the tree, is now won by Christ, the New Adam, who brings us Salvation and Paradise through the tree of the Cross.


On a personal note, I would like to add that this icon was the most emotionally and spiritually challenging of all the icons I have completed thus far.  In my fourth year of study I was invited to attend a workshop where the crucifixion was being taught.  At that time I felt that I was not ready to work on this subject.  Then two years later this icon was again being taught at a workshop in Canada.  This time I felt I was practiced enough in egg tempera to make the attempt.  Never could I have predicted that the technical skills needed in writing this icon would pale in comparison to the emotional and spiritual demands of the subject.  By the end of the workshop I found myself physically and mentally drained.  I cannot look upon the Crucifixion without a deep sense of shame at what He suffered for my sins.  Yet Jesus Himself said that His Passion and death was necessary for our salvation, and so I hold this in my heart as my consolation when I look upon this icon.
 
For further mediation you may wish to read:  Leo the Great's homily on the Passion of Christ

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Created to Know, Love, and Serve God - Icons open the door

2/27/2015

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Icons are part of the liturgical movement of the Church.  This is why they are more than just religious art;  they are considered sacramental, sacred art.  When we are in their presence, we are truly in the presence of the saint(s) depicted.  We should always venerate an icon with a reverent kiss when we first come into their presence.

In this photo are several icons in service in a private chapel.  The iconographer's most cherished wish, and greatest consolation is knowing that her icons will be placed into service in a holy, prayerful space.
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Here is the icon of Saint Mark installed next to the Reconciliation Room in a parish church.  Saint Mark was one of the four Evangelists who wrote the Gospels.  He begins his gospel with Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan, where Christ's purpose and mission is revealed: the fulfillment of the kingdom of God, the need for repentance, and a call to faith.

In this icon the Evangelist holds a scroll containing the depiction of a lion.  This symbol comes from his description of John the Baptist as a voice "crying out in the wilderness" (Mark 1:3). His voice is said to have sounded like that of a roaring lion. This symbolism also appears in a vision of the Prophet Ezekiel where four winged creatures represent the four evangelists (Ezekiel 1:10).
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Any room can become a retreat into the prayerful presence of holy icons.  These photos show that icons especially have a place in private homes.  One can create an "icon corner" in which to find refuge.  Choose a corner preferably on the eastern side of the room, near the principal entrance to the home.  Candles and incense are also used in praying with icons.

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them...But when you pray, go to your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.  And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.  (Mt. 6:5-6)
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The Gift of Sight

2/2/2015

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Friends of mine had requested an icon of the Archangel Raphael for their work in the healing ministry.  So I traveled to a workshop in Michigan, and there was given instruction by Jennifer Perkins with the Prosopon School.  This icon marked the turning point in my journey in the mystical world of iconography.  I began to see with my mind what the instructors were teaching me about the light of the icon.  It was as if the scales had been removed from my eyes and I could see for the first time.  And I knew then that it was not me working on the icon, but rather the icon working on me.  I had received the Archangel's healing.  You can read more about the remarkable healing power of Archangel Raphael in the Old Testament Book of Tobit, where he is sent by the Lord to heal Tobias' father, the blind Tobit, and Sarah, who was possessed of an evil demon.

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Love at First Sight

1/21/2015

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This is my first icon, the icon of Saint Michael the Archangel.  Students with the Prosopon School paint this icon as their introduction into iconography.  Tatiana Berestova was my instructor at this workshop.  By beginning with the Archangel Michael, the new student receives the protection and strength of this Saint to do battle against the many evil forces which daily place stumbling blocks in our path.  From the first time I saw this icon in class I fell in love with icons.  I was struck by its simplicity of design, its brilliant colors and the saint's sense of poise.   Saint Michael is wearing armor, ready to do battle, and holds a warrior's staff in one hand, and an orb containing the Eucharist in the other.  This icon is a permanent part of my private collection, a constant reminder of where I began in this journey.

In the Book of Revelation (12:7-9), we read about Saint Michael's victorious war with the devil:
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.  The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it.

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Getting Started - A Work in Progress

1/6/2015

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Although this webpage is still "under construction", I am pleased to finally have it up and running. I wish to thank my brother and sister-in-law, without whom this website would have never materialized.  My sister-in-law is a very talented and accomplished water colorist and you can see her very amazing work at www.cindydaunis.com .  I'll be continuing to load the icons for which I have electronic files throughout the next several days, and then I'll start posting a little information on each one over the course of the next several months as time permits.  I hope this website will give you a better understanding about my passion, iconography.
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    Christine

    i never put in as many hours painting as i would like to.

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