Hello Fellow Iconographers and Greetings:
The month of July has been consistently hot and so beautiful here in the Hudson Valley. Although temperatures usually reach 90 degrees+ each day, Icons are still being created and the Monday night class keeps working right on throughout all! Here’s a photo of Carol MacNaughtons’ Saint Michael in the process of being olifa-ed.
Also, now some works in progress photos for the Saint Kateri and Saint Isaac Jogues I am working on for the RCDA new Mausoleum. I love working large!
The Monday Night Advanced Icon writing class will be accepting new students after Labor Day: September 12. Please email if you would like to begin at that time. christine@newchristianicons.com
Also, Starting a 10 week Icon Writing Class in the Hudson, NY area, Thursday evenings, 6-9PM, September 15- December 1. email if you’re interested in attending: christine@newchristianicons.com
THE VALUE OF ICONS IN THE POST MODERN WORLD
Icons are conveyors of holiness, sacredness, beauty and God’s love for mankind. Because Icons are vessels containing these attributes, they are essential in the continuing formation of our society and culture. In a world seemingly gone mad, they are light filled and providers of God’s peace and love.
Icons that are created in an atmosphere of prayer to God, and with training in art principles and spiritual discipline cannot help but provide a spiritual compass to those viewing them. This kind Icon becomes a visible testimony of God’s grace as it blesses the creator and the viewer.
” There is a deeper realization of God’s Presence available to us. Through the coming of Christ and the Holy Spirit, God wishes to dwell within us in a new way: not in a mode of which we are largely unconscious, or as a kind spiritual atmosphere in which we simply live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), but as a lover and a friend. (Song of Solomon 5:10). God wants His Presence to be consciously experienced by us.”
Above quote from the The Glenstal Book of Icons, Praying with the Glenstal Icons, Gregory Collins OSB.
To be consciously experienced, it is helpful to have holy images that serve as reminders and point the Way, even when our minds are engaged in worldly activities. It only takes a few seconds to shift our perspective to God’s perspective – truly the secret to a joy filled life!
One last thing worth mentioning: I attended the Kremer Pigments workshop on “Grounds” a through workshop on materials, conditions, and possible variations, and I would recommend it highly the next time they teach it. Kremer Pigments regularly gives classes and workshops on making paints and provides a wonderful resource of technical, hands-on information.
That’s all for this month. Enjoy the beautiful summer and please keep me in your prayers, as you are in mine.
Blessings,
Christine
www.newchristianicons.com www.christinehales.com www.kingdomartsministry.com
American Association of Iconographers 
Christine, in May Tom and I spent 5 wonderful days at Glenstal Abbey and had the joy of visiting their icon chapel several times. It is quite a treasure! I thought of you.
Starr, how wonderful! Their book on Icons is one of my favorites!