According to Mathew Woodley, who wrote “Holy Fools” , the main qualification of a Holy Fool is following Jesus with reckless abandon. “Only a fool would attempt to change the world with a simple message of love and peace…” St. John Chrysostom.
Saint Anthony’s ability to apply spiritual discipline was so extreme as to manifest in victory even over the demons! He demonstrated that , according to poet Kathleen Norris, asceticism is “a radical way of knowing who, what, and where you are in defiance of those powerful forces in society…that aim to make us forget..”. (Holy Fools, Woodley). I think that icon writing, as a form of spiritual discipline, helps us on that path of spiritual discernment and asceticism, a confidence in who we are in Christ, that brings us closer to “a heart overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”
The Icon Talk at Saint Gregory’s Episcopal Church was well received and the exhibition is a lovely collection of 32 beautiful icons, different stylistically, but all radiating the same holiness and beauty. Worth seeing if you can get to Woodstock on a Sunday morning.
Coming up in Woodstock: WAAM April 26, 4PM. “Concerning the Spiritual in Art” I’ll give a talk connecting Icons with Matisse, Chagall, Kandinsky and the Blue Rider School and speculate on how that plays out in the New Renaissance in Iconography today. Free and open to all.
Woodstock Icon Writing Class: Mondays, 1-4 PM Beginning June 2; See my website for more details on Icon Writing Classes
This Saturday is the opening Reception for this faces exhibition I curated and partnered with Columbia County Arts Council and Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to present some great art and we will hear from some talented writers who will share their readings on April 12, too. Free and part of Hudson’ below 3rd Dine Arts Celebration – Come and See!
Here is the most recent video with Sister Vassa: All Iconography students will gain important information – a must see! It is well done and humorous.
Coffee with Sister Vassa Ep 24, ( Week 5 of Lent)
Here is a link to a beautiful art/faces video. Really a treat to watch! 
I’m unveiling my newest, favorite icon at the opening reception and it shall remain a mystery until this Saturday! I’ll include it next month for those who can’t make the Hudson show. This one of Saint Luke is also a recent one.
The Vatican is apparently digitizing 41 million pages of ancient manuscripts: click here for more information on that one.
NEWSWORTHY
Art News article in the April, 2014, issue: “Icons on the Barricades” by Konstantin Akinsha refers specifically to Kyiv anti government clashes where artists created various forms of interactive art to participate in the protest. Interesting that they would use the word “Icon” in the title, but they were referring more to contemporary artists. However, there have been Orthodox priests carrying icons on the battle front too. Food for thought.
One last note: David Clayton’s Blog :The Way of Beauty” has an interesting post on naturalism in sacred art. Worth reading to clarify that important issue.
Blessings and prayers to you all. Please keep our School of Iconography and Saint Luke’s Guild of Iconographers in your prayers as you are in ours!
Prayerfully,
Christine Simoneau Hales
www.iconwritingclasses.com
www.christinehales.com
www.newchristianicons.com
of Holy people- some of them like Dorothy Day, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Louise De Marillac, Pope John XXIII, and Kateri, have not often been portrayed through Iconography. It’s exciting! And exactly what I’m interested in -creating Icons for contemporary (within the last 150 years) Holy people who perhaps have not had Icons created of them yet. Here are a few work-in progress photos: Saints Louise de Marillac, Rose of Lima and St. Francis drawing, and Pope John XXIII.
Recommended book of this month: Danny Silk: Culture of Honor-Sustaining a Supernatural Environment.
American Association of Iconographers 