"She" The Artist & Calligrapher ... "Me" The Ever-Appreciative Audience
I have a circle of friends I call my "art group" as they each are talented & creative in a variety of ways. Meeting with them to share all we've done since we last gathered, have lunch, and often work on a project instructed by one of the group is an uplifting experience that leaves me feeling good about myself, and so proud to know these amazing women who share their work with me.
This is Stephanie, who has shared with us her accomplishments in calligraphy, book-binding, and block carving over the years. On this day, she brought an icon she'd created in about 60 hours of concentrated work (as a part of, shall we say, "an advanced class"). The halo is gold leaf, and she described "breathing on the wood before laying down the strip of gold & burnishing it"... I probably am not explaining it well, but the tediousness of it produced the ray-like effect emanating around the angel's head. She's a master at her craft, and everything she creates has us drawing a breath in awe. I've been the lucky recipient of some of her work and I treasure each piece for the creative talent and for the precious friendship.
Fabulous. It is doubly wonderful for recreating an ancient art form but somehow imbuing it with a modern sensibility.As I read of the amount of effort required to create this work of art, you can't help but see it as an act of worship. Beautiful in all ways.
@allie912 You are always my intuitive and appreciative friend as well! Yes, I didn't go on with the part she also told us... The teacher told them that you "breathe gently and listen for the angel to breathe back"... I'd call that an act of worship indeed! (I forgot to mention she said she did most of the work with a size 0 brush...) To know Stephanie is to know a person with a peaceful demeanor and a gentle spirit...and her art reflects that.
The details in her artwork is incredible. The opacity at the center of the painting is remarkable. Thank you for sharing both of picture of the artist with her work, and a close-up view of the icon.
@pyrrhula From what she described to us, it seemed very traditional in approach. Have you done some like this also?! (Is there no end to your many talents?!) Tell us more! I know she'd be delighted to tell you how she did this piece. She also takes part in many juried art shows and gallery shows.
@Weezilou I`ve been a volunteer in a group of 6 persons that explore an exhibition room ( tree floors of an old windmill) for about 20 years. The assignment was to organize 10 art exhibitions a year. Mostly, only the cost, payed by the local authority. I never did have any attention to paint myself. I`m more a craftsman. One on the nice things about doing this was you did visit a lot of artist ( even very famous ones) to see the works
. Most of them where very willing to tell all kinds of stories of many subjects . So I know that the real old Icon`s are very traditional made by a lot of rules . So the paint they use is egg tempara but you better read : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon
@pyrrhula ahha! I forgot that she mentioned the pigments were ground and they made their own egg tempera! She said something about setting it where bogs wouldn't get to it as it's a food product! How wonderful for you to take part in these marvelous art shows and to meet the artists! I can easily understand that they love to share their passion with you and to let you know how they went about creating their work! Thank you for the link I'll have a look.
What can I say but it's amazing. All that wonderful fine detail. 60 hours to the average person doesn't seem like a lot, but when you are doing 60 hours of such fine detail and intricate work like this, it is tiring, but what awesome results.
What a stunning piece of artwork. How great to be a part of a group of friends that are art inclined. I used to be a part of a group that did art projects together a few years ago, each month someone different shared a project. I sure miss that.
@dailypix Hi Susan...Yes, this is the second local group I've been a part of (the 1st fell apart as people moved out of the area!)...it's so inspiring (as you can see!) In the extremes, we made the simplest little project, but it was sweet & we had fun sharing the time together. I have a similar, but smaller group, in Lunenburg. We need to surround ourselves with people who understand our passion and "the need to collect supplies" (we all laughed abut that the other day!) I hope you'll find a group again...start by inviting a few friends...
May 28th, 2014
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I`ve done several art exhibitions of them in an art gallery I was join in.
. Most of them where very willing to tell all kinds of stories of many subjects . So I know that the real old Icon`s are very traditional made by a lot of rules . So the paint they use is egg tempara but you better read : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icon