Dear Friends: 
I saw the above title on an advertising circular and thought it to be a good slogan for artists! Put simply, just do it! In the artist Way group that’s been meeting at my home, the idea of inner resistance comes up a lot, and it’s very interesting to observe what happens when we get past some of our resistance!
I was able to reconnect with my ballet training and start to feel that old excitement again-only to realize that movement is an important element in my painting. It’s what makes the difference for me! Hadn’t really thought about it before, but now it’s something I can consciously include and it makes me happy!
Speaking of happy, here’s a book I’m reading that I highly recommend: “Joy Starts Here, The Transformation zone” by Wilder, Khouri, Coursey, and Sutton. It talks about a life model for sustainable joy and bringing joy to low-joy areas. It’s wonderful! We’ve talked in our Iconography class about the Rule of St. Benedict and it’s application to successful community formation. The joy book is equally a necessary building block to fruitful community formation. The students in my class have formed the St.Luke’s Guild of Iconography and are exploring mission, values, and identity as a guild. We have a FB page https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Lukes-Guild-of-Iconography/1412750012275793 that you are welcome to “like”, and see what we are up to! 
Another recommendation for you: Orthodox Arts Journal blog post on Iconographer Fr. Zenon. He’s a fascinating and controversial Iconographer whose style is both traditional and innovative and one that I personally appreciate.
Here are a couple of snapshots of the work-in progress for Saint Vincent’s Church in albany, NY. There will be eight large icon panels, of Saint Vincent, Dorothy Day, Louise deMarrilac, Rose of Lima, Francis, Kateri, Elizabeth Ann Seton, and John XXIII.
Saturday, November 22 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Albany, NY I will be giving a workshop on “Joy and Prophetic Art”. Starts about 12:00 noon and all are welcome.
Sunday, November 23 I will be speaking at Christian Community Church, Hillsdale, NY on “Concerning the Spiritual in Art”. This will complete the month long exhibition of my pairings and Icons there. The talk begins at 11:45 and all are welcome. I’ll be teaching a ten week Icon Writing Class there starting Jan. 15, 6-9pm. Email me to sign up: chales@halesart.com
Soon, my website : www.newchristianicons.com will have a new look! Hopefully it will be finished in about two weeks. after that, this blog will also have a new format! I welcome suggestions :).
Blessings and Peace, Christine
(All artwork in this post is by Christine Hales, and copyright protected. Feel free to contact me for reproduction rights.)
American Association of Iconographers 