Creation of icons based on the Book of Revelation

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Eight Saints and a Prophet

The students of St. Mary’s Icon School are going to be doing nine mini presentations at the end of term. This school is a new venture and the students are ordinary people who have come along to try their hand at learning about icons, the spirituality and the process.  It is the start of a great adventure and this will be their opportunity to share a little of what they have learned.

Please do come along if you are local and if not send your prayers for the students, the school and St. Mary’s church in Aylesbury.

The St. Mary’s Iconography School presents:

8 SAINTS AND A PROPHET

The Prophet Elijah - icon by Constantina

Wednesday 28th March 7– 9.30
at St. Mary’s Aylesbury
All are welcome to come and listen to 9 mini presentations by the
new students of St. Mary’s Icon School.
Come and view some of the work we have begun, meet the students
and tutor and learn a little hagiography.
Refreshments provided.

The Fiery Ascent of Elijah

 

That cheeky Elisha just manages to snatch Elijah’s cloak as he is taken up by the fiery horses.  I loved writing this icon as the great fiery globule was a reminder of the immense power of Almighty God. I am certain that Elisha would have had some broiled fish for supper.

Sometimes one could also be forgiven for imagining he was abducted by aliens but as a lover of sci-fi I would think that.

When I used to exhibit on the railings by Hyde Park I would sometimes take my icons along as an antidote to all the materialism.  I was amazed and reassured at how many people stopped and loved to talk about them and the spirituality behind them.  This Elijah was a particular favourite and many Russians would come and translate the text even though it is archaic.  I have forgotten the exact translation so if anyone would like to have a go and submit it to me I would be grateful and can then add it to the post.

Have a brief look at the rays emanating from the cosmic arc in the top corner.  This is typical of icons and I have reproduced it here, those old iconographers already knew about the dual nature of light long before we discovered it.

Have a great week and may the power of Elijah be with you.

 

Five Faces of Christ – #3

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

I wrote this wonderful icon over a year ago for the Society of the Sacred mission at The Well at Willen, Milton Keynes.  I cannot describe the joy I felt whilst working on it and I know that the people at The Well love this icon through and through.

I felt it was appropriate to put it here in the midst of my Five Faces of Christ as, after I had finished the icon I felt moved to write a meditation for it.  This has now become a bit of a habit and I write them to go with all the icons I do for people whether for a church or a personal gift.

The serenity and interplay between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is central in this icon. I love the way He had such an open heart for everyone.  May we all become like Him.

Meditation:

This very beautiful and intimate icon of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman reminds us of his ability to talk to anyone no matter what the prevailing beliefs and prejudices of the day are.

The two figures are poised in the foreground almost as if what is behind them does not exist. Jesus reaches out his left hand towards the Samaritan woman and his hand is aligned with the highlight on her robe that is like a zig-zag – a very powerful symbol of light and energy often seen in robes in icons, especially of angels.  It is as if his hand is sending his power to her as she points to the vessel she has brought to fill.  Instead of ordinary water she wishes to have the water of life he speaks to her about; the water that lasts forever.  She cradles the urn in her left arm, ready to receive this great gift.  The Samaritan woman is long and willowy, fluid, like water herself, there is a graciousness about her despite her past and the many husbands Jesus reveals he knows about.  None of this matters, it is what goes on between the two at this moment in time.  Indeed, when gazing at the icon it is as if it is happening now- a continuous now occurring through the ages and the opportunity to receive from this Divine well he is offering us.
Her under garment is the colour green, representing serenity and the earth – the plants, the flowers the trees, that which gives us oxygen and earthly life.  She has a waistband and cuffs of vibrant orange signifying the holy spirit, that which vivifies us and gives us eternal life.  Finally she wears and over garment of red, like Our Saviour’s.  This signifies her acceptance of Christ’s love and salvation as he bestows it upon her.  Finally she wears a scarf of pure white, this covering of her head and is a symbol of her ultimate success at overcoming the passions in order to live a life in Christ.  The towel carries two blue bands and is a representation of the Jewish faith.  She stands at ease atop the labyrinth, a symbol of the mind of man and the path of contemplation and is at ease yet poised to receive more from Our King.  Overall she is a dynamic yet peaceful receptacle for the holy spirit.

Christ sits lightly atop the rocks. The two groupings are representations of Mount Sinai and Mount Tabor where the Law and the Transfiguration were received respectively.  His feet enlighten the grass and his manner is open yet vital.  His right hand is set in the sign of peace and his left hand is open and stretched towards the woman.  His red under garment is the symbol that he has come from Heaven and the orange sash, his authority as given through the holy spirit.  The blue outer garment is symbolic of his willingness to become human and to be born on the earth, yet it is like flowing water and light.  The two bend their heads towards each other in their willingness to listen and to communicate with one another.  Both figures have faces of utter calm and peace but also of purpose.

The well sits between the two, the symbol of life for all the Old Testament tribes of Israel as they wandered through the land.  Most significant mystical happenings were often sited near or at a well.  Stars, zig-zags and scrolls adorn the well, representing the energy and vibration of all life throughout the cosmos.  It contains a glimpse of water just as our own perception of the Truth is but a glimpse of the total reality of existence.  The lid is ajar, inviting us to enter.

Behind Jesus is a small lake representing Willen, with a couple of white ducks swimming happily on the water that is choppy as if blown by a strong breeze, again another symbol of the coming of the Spirit that sounded like a loud rush of wind when the disciples received it at Pentecost.  On the left at Christ’s shoulder is the Peace Pagoda guarded by golden lions in this instance.  Not only a symbol for Milton Keynes but a symbol for the entrance to the Garden of Eden through the attainment of peace of one’s own soul in our own journey of the path to Zion.  The church, traditionally set in this position on the icon is also based on Willen church with the little pineapples on the roof but also the vestibule is adorned with stars as an indication of the entrance into the greater cosmos when going into the church of our hearts.  The four trees in front of the church are symbols for the four evangelists leading us to the entrance.

Drawing a line around the lake and through the well and then around the labyrinth will trace the symbol for eternity that underlies this whole icon.  The perspective of an icon is often converse, we, the onlookers, are at the vanishing point, the smallest space, the icon draws us in to Heaven, wide and limitless. Figures and angles are drawn in particular ways not to convey the visible form but the invisible and the unknowable, that which is beyond our current perception.

The sky is gold leaf and the traditional symbol for heaven in an icon.  The border, is red ochre and is a holy colour going back through all peoples to the earliest cave dwellers.  It is a symbol of the old Testament and the foundation for what is to come.  There are symbols of a number of faiths around the edge (Christianity, Taoism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Baha’i, Jainism and Shinto) as the Well at Willen is committed to openness and dialogue between all faiths, indeed all the wisdom and knowledge we need is contained in all the holy writings if we could overcome our passions and allow it to enter us.  Take heed from the Samaritan woman who stepped lightly and was at first in awe and then most willing to allow the Truth to enter her life.

May all who stand before this icon and gaze at its beauty be filled with the closeness of a relationship with the Divine, the personal and simple surrender to a journey through the cosmos contained within the simple actions of conversing, listening, giving and  receiving with openness and willingness.

Constantina Wood 24/02/11

St Mary’s Icon School – Weeks 5 and 6

View here for use tab above for school to see what they have been up to with Mary and the technique of silverpoint.

St. Mary’s Icon School – updated week 3

Another pencil sketch of Christ has been added by J.  Take a look.

Iconography Summer School at St. Mary’s

View Press Releases tab above or click here for details.

Five Faces of Christ #2

Here is probably my most painted and most loved image of Christ in iconography. It is based on the original from St. Catherine’s monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai which was rendered in encaustic using glass rods.  Many of the Faiyum paintings on mummies in Egypt used either egg tempera or encaustic; so these were the methods of the time.  The skill of the artists was incredible and the realism stunning, heartfelt and filled with beauty.

What I love about my Sinai Christ, as I call him, is the combination of his searching gaze, his stillness and the sense of complete love.  He is there. He is here.  He is. One eye looks up to heaven the other right at you – these ‘errors’ were painted with purpose, not as a mistake.

Christ Pantocrator- Saviour of All

Sometimes I can see him in my mind’s eye. He was there yesterday for me.  A tiny postage stamp sized image imprinted on my consciousness but the word, the feeling, was one of solidarity, “I am with you!”  He knew what I was experiencing and he knew the powerlessness of the situation for me.  Something I cannot do anything about, the kind of situation I find myself in increasingly where the only option is to turn to him for help, guidance and comfort.

This particular image posted here was icon number five for me after learning the rudiments of the technique.  It took me a month of almost full time work and a few instances when, not looking right, I washed off the tempera and began again.  The layering became more and more delicate and subtle.  He was so close throughout and the tiniest details emerged little by little and I wondered why I had not spotted them at the outset, like the stain of a tear on his left cheek.

Most of the icons I have still in my possession are from my earlier stages and I love them dearly as they have many mistakes but are all the more like the humanity that painted them.  Flawed yet loved all the same.

He comes with me to as many places as possible and I show him and hand him around to be held.  He never ceases to move those who have an affinity for him and he is a little battered and covered in candle wax.  I call him my ‘working icon’ as he comes with me to work.

At present I am writing a life size half figure based on this image.  Working life size is a new feeling and a powerful presence.  The gentleness of his hands and the light from within are sublime.  In iconography we call this inner light, uncreated light.  The light from heaven.  It is not reflected light but comes from inside. It is the light of the Transfiguration.  Christ, in his purity, was transfigured spontaneously on Mount Tabor in the presence of Elijah and Moses and his three apostles who could not bear to look.

The Transfiguration

Our transfiguration takes place over a longer period, little by little.  It works from the outside – the course physical body; healing through sickness and disease sometimes, to purify us. Then it goes deeper into the physical to each cell of the body; each atom is affected – we can feel it sometimes when we sense something beautiful such as  music, or profound words of truth, or a wonderful painting.  We shiver with this feeling but it reaches further than the superficial.  This is why art and culture are so important for humanity, for the sake of humanity.  Then the transfiguration moves into the emotional realm;  then the intellectual, purifying, separating.  Making us masters of our inner house rather than the servants taking control and causing us to lead lives that create discord and havoc for us and those around us.  Often this can be seen in religious communities and churches where there seems to be discord and bad behaviour.  It leads an outside observer to see those within as hypocrites.  But one must look deeper and see with a wider eye.  This discord and difficulty can be and often is, the purifying out of that which is unhelpful.  It  gets worse before it gets better.  One needs patience and endurance and forgiveness.  The maintenance of harmony is more important then being right and the wise will let go of certain issues for the sake of it- not fearing to lose face so that others who are as yet unable, can maintain some dignity for themselves for a while until they are able to finally let go of ego.

After this phase there is no ‘I’ but ‘we’ and ‘our’ and a sense of something universal; a sense of oneness and complete continuity of all living things.  There is a flowing and an awareness of constriction and expansion in all things.  A harmonic, a sound, the vibrational energy of all matter, yet set within something even greater but something we cannot even conceive of with minds and bodies that are still material.  This is the life of the soul and all souls are beautiful to God.  We see others then, as souls, and when we see them as souls we see their beauty no matter what the outward circumstances or form.

It is not always easy to maintain but once glimpsed a reference point is provided and this can be striven for with renewed practice through those devices which help us: prayer, stillness and love.

If You Choose, You Can Make Me Clean

Reblogged from Domini Canes:

  • Click to visit the original post

A leper came to Jesus begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But he went out and …

Five Faces of Christ #1 Immanuel

Over a decade ago now, I had a very strong indication about my work as an artist.  It was to make painting or drawing Christ central to my work.  I must admit to not doing much about this at that time, being distrustful of such things until more indications seem to back it up.  Ever the scientist but as I have a vivid and precocious imagination and mind, it seems sensible to let directions of this nature unfold a little.

At this point in time I have the benefit of retrospect and indeed, it is no doubt a sound inner direction to have followed, albeit patchy at times.  The concept of simply drawing or painting Christ is complex.  The work is not just the images but the work of Christ being within oneself, wanting him to be within, trusting him to be within and allowing him to be within.  And then listening to his gentle guidance. And then following it.

Not one part of this is straightforward to the convoluted and ever complicated human being.  That said, once it becomes more manifest in our outer lives, I wonder at the simplicity and ease of it and why did it took me so long to gain realisation of the beautiful symbiosis of a Christ centred life?

Here is a little journey through Five Faces of Christ:

This dear fellow was my first experience using a Russian technique of writing an icon. There is a Buddha-like quality to him and the design is a modern one given to us by our teacher Nikita Andreyev.  I have never forgotten this quiet young man and his patient clear teaching as he guided us through the method which I use to this day, having fallen for it’s simplicity and deeply spiritual content.

Christ Immanuel

Immanuel, or God With Us, was clear at the age of twelve what he was about and what his work was.  “Did you not know I would be in my Father’s house?”  he said to his anxious parents when they could not find him.

For me, Christ Immanuel, is the man-child and voice of clarity and wisdom.  Many young people have this quality but they are paid scant heed or derided; patronised and squashed.  My work with young teenagers, especially in disadvantaged areas recently, has made this even more evident. When they are wanting to turn a corner and make an effort to improve and make  good their lives after bad times certain adults around them in positions of authority continue to see them as if they are specimens already tagged and labelled and ready for the reject pile. Or worse, they ignore them and do not see them. A little bit of encouragement and lots of guts and determination may help them through but may Christ Immanuel stand for all these fabulous and potentially incredible young people.  There are so many of them.

Meditation

On the Road to Hilfield Friary

Before I snuggle back to bed for much needed sleep I wanted to share a beautiful experience.  St. Mary’s have an evening meditation on one Sunday a month.  I went along for the first time this past weekend and sat with a small group in a candlelit corner.  The vastness of the church, the great arches and empty space – home to a number of bats- conferred a wonderful silence on the proceedings.

There was tea and coffee for later, a prayer or two, a reading and the dear lady who led it sang a few verses of a hymn she loved, her Irish accent coming through and adding an accent of gentleness.  The meditation itself was just sitting quietly with one another, no mantra, no definition of how to meditate.  It was a moment of being with others simply being.

We chatted afterwards for quite some time, sipping tea in the subdued light, and I experienced a deep sense of joy in the ordinariness of the moment, the ordinariness of the people and the ordinariness of the meditation.  It was purely and simply lovely.

I shall look forward to the next one.

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