Nun Juliana Sokolova

Faithful Iconographer in an Age of Persecution Throughout the history of iconography, there are artists whose lives remind us that writing icons is far more than mastering technique—it is an act of faithfulness. One such witness is Mother Juliana (Maria Nikolaevna Sokolova, 1899–1981), one of the most revered iconographers of the Russian Orthodox Church. Living through some of the darkest years of Soviet persecution, Mother Juliana remained steadfast in her sacred vocation.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Hildegard of Bingen: A Mystic’s Vision for the Iconographer

The Middle Ages was perhaps the last period in the West to possess a truly living cosmology—a worldview in which mysticism, theology, nature, and everyday life were understood as an inseparable whole. Rather than seeing creation as something separate from God, medieval mystics lived within the conviction that all things exist in God, and God is present in all things.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

The Bride With the Ring on Her Finger

Saint Catherine of Alexandria and the Power of the Sacred Image Feast Day · November 25 · Virgin & Martyr Patron of Philosophers · Scholars · Clergy · Young Women St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Catherine's Monastery, Sinai Dear Fellow Iconographers — I've been deep in research for a commission of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and I find myself compelled to share what I've discovered.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

“Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace”

Painting Saint Francis: A Contemplative Reflection Dear Friends, As I begin work on an icon of Saint Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio for my upcoming class at Holy Cross Monastery, I find myself reflecting less on the historical details of Francis’s life and more on the spiritual movement within it—the slow transformation of a human heart toward God.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Giotto and the Living Tradition of Icons

Reflections for Iconographers Duccio, "Crucifixion" When I finally have time to pray and reflect on the direction my iconography is leading me, I often discover that artistic questions are also spiritual questions. Recently, my thoughts have returned again and again to Giotto, the great Italian painter of the late 13th and early 14th centuries. If I listen carefully to that still, small voice guiding my work, I sense an invitation to understand Giotto more deeply — not only visually, but spiritually.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Guarding the Archetype

Christian Cross, Ravenna, 6th Century Reflections on Constantine Cavarnos’ Guide to Byzantine Iconography This month I would like to share several reflections drawn from Constantine Cavarnos’ important work, Guide to Byzantine Iconography. For those of us laboring in our studios today, the questions he raises remain foundational: How do we create new icons for contemporary Christians while faithfully preserving the original intentions of the earliest sacred images?

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Listening to Hildegard: The Shape the Light Reveals

A Lenten reflection on Jeremiah 18, Matthew 20, and the ambition of the heart

open.substack.com

The Living Icon

Greetings Friends and Fellow Iconographers: I am spending more time re-reading some of my icon related books and want to share with you this months some of the insights I found in : "The Avant-Garde Icon, Russian Avant Gard Art & The Icon Painting Tradition" by Andrew Spira. I really like the clarity of thought here about what is important to carry forward in our contemporary icons.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

The Substance of Things Seen: Creating Contemporary Icons for the Christian Community

Inspired by Robin M. Jensen Detail, Trinity Icon. written by Christine Hales. after Andre Rublev Christian art has never existed merely to decorate sacred spaces or to please the eye. At its best, it has served the Church as a theological language—one that gives visible form to invisible truths and nurtures worship practices that are both spiritually vital and theologically rooted.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Discover the Spiritual Depth of Icons and Saints

Two Books That Open the Heart Through Icons and the Saints John the Baptist Icon. written by Christine Hales In the world of Christian spirituality, a beautiful mystery unfolds whenever art and prayer meet. Two icon related books—The Dwelling of the Light: Praying With Icons of Christ by Dr. Rowan Williams, and The Song of Saints: Celebrating the Saints with Anglican Prayer Beads…

americanassociationoficonographers.com

El Greco

And the Enduring Influence of Byzantine Icon Training Hello Fellow Iconographers: As you probably already know, I love making connections between Byzantine iconography and modern art. I always think that icons were the contemporary art of their time, so how can we bring a contemporary approach to our icon writing? This article about the work of ElGreco shows how one iconographer of the 16th century made that transition.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Creating an Icon

Hello Dear Friends and Fellow Iconographers: As we move into fall, it’s always a good time to reflect on the summer time that is past and imagine what we hope to accomplish this winter season. I’ve been doing a lot of Icon writing teaching this past summer, which I have loved. But it does come at the expense of having creative time to create icons, so I am very happy to have some time ahead of me to create new icons and experiment with different colors and techniques.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

The History and Development of Christian Icons. Part III

This is the third in a four-part series of articles that examine the historical evolution of Christian icons that I have written for the Anglican Digest.  This article appears in the fall issue.  In this article we will explore the significance of a symbolic visual language of icons in contrast to a more realistic one that began to develop from the late Byzantine period through the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance paintings. 

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Illuminating the Spirit: A Summer Reading Guide for Iconographers

Books and Inspiration to Enrich Your Icon Writing Practice Summer unfurls like a painted scroll—light streaming through open windows, quiet hours stretching across the day, and, for the iconographer, a rare invitation to rest, reflect, and replenish the wellspring of inspiration. Whether you are a seasoned writer of icons, a beginner who has just dipped their brush into the egg tempera, or simply a lover of sacred art, the summer months offer an ideal time to step back from the demands of daily creation and immerse yourself in the wisdom, history, and spirituality that underpin the venerable and holy tradition of iconography.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Making Pigments, A Fine Summer Project!

Lately I’ve become very excited about making some of my own pigments. It all started with my discovery of a book written by Ellie Irons “Feral Hues”, A Guide to Painting with Weeds. It’s a lovely book, packed with examples, color samples, pigment charts and insights into gathering, experiencing, and creating pigments from weeds, or common plant that currently grow in the Hudson Valley- my former home.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

The Blessed Virgin:

A Life Anchored in Grace, Obedience, and the Miraculous Serbian Annunciation Icon, 14th c. The Blessed Virgin Mary is believed by many to be the greatest of Christian saints, after her Son, she is exalted by divine grace above angels and men. holds a place of profound honor in Christian faith and tradition. Known as the Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, and spiritual guide to all believers, her life offers us a powerful model of obedience, grace, and unwavering faith in difficult times.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Icons as Windows of Grace

Face of Christ, by C. S. Hales Icons as Windows of Grace: The Sacred Intersection of Art, Symbol, and Sacrament In Eastern Christian traditions, icons are seen as far more than religious art. They are revered as windows into heaven, channels for divine grace, and tangible manifestations of the spiritual presence of the holy figures they depict. For the faithful, an icon is not merely a representation; it is an encounter.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Icons For Lent

If ever there were icons that personified the phrase, "Icons as theology in Color" it would be Lenten and Easter Icons. We could start with the Stations of the Cross Icons.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

How Important Is Drawing?

Often when I teach icon writing classes, I am asked to critique students' previous icons, and almost always, my comments revolve around drawing more.  Re-draw the composition, or the faces, or the figures. And so, for this blog post I am including some random ideas for improving your icon drawing.   Drawing by Nun Juliana First, I’d like to share about an iconographer whose drawings I particularly admire- Nun Juliana.

americanassociationoficonographers.com

Epiphany and New Beginnings

Embracing the Light of New Possibilities Happy New Year! It’s a time for new beginnings, a chance to refresh our minds, hearts and spirits, a time to reevaluate our goals and plans in light of a change of perspective. The Eastern branch of the Church originally celebrated Epiphany as the Baptism of Jesus as early as 200AD. In the Western Church, gradually the appearance of the three kings at the nativity of Christ’s birth and the wedding feast of Cana were additionally associated with Epiphany.

americanassociationoficonographers.com