I have never painted in my life. Well, I painted the kitchen once, and my office, and bedroom, well, you get the idea. I have never painted a painting....art. And to be honest, art classes were not only out of my budget, but if I was going to pay for them they would be for my daughter, the one with all the talent. I have never been good at drawing so painting was something I didn't really ever consider. Until last month.
They were offering a class at church in Icon painting. St. Francis, to be specific, one of my favorite saints. Lover and advocate for animals and possessor of stigmata. The icon I am painting is to the left, but that is not the one I painted, it is not done yet. When it is, I will post it. I think it isn't too bad.
So, I took this class more for the relaxation and prayer than anything else. I really wasn't expecting to actually paint anything of beauty. I wanted to, as my cousins said, expand my horizons. I wanted to push myself a little, try something new, learn something. And I did. I was pretty good.
I have always loved icons. Not just for the religious value, but for the art. Icons have been painted or created from mosaic or multi-media for two centuries. Icons were started by the earliest Eastern Catholic churches (Greek mainly) and have been dated back to as early as the second century. Everything within the image of the icon has meaning. For example, the above of St. Francis. While he holds a dove symbolizing his love of animals, the dove is white symbolizing the holy spirit. The red symbolizes divinity, the gold represents the radiance of heaven. Blue symbolizes human life. The icon of St. Francis has him holding a cross symbolizing the resurrected Christ and his has holes in his hands (not in this one) that symbolize the stigmata. He was a monk, therefore the brown robe, rope belt, and haircut. Every icon is easily identifiable by the symbols portrayed in the art work and no part is without symbolism.
I grew up with icons. Icons were everywhere, in my home, church, everyone else's homes, the shrine. Stores and restaurants where I grew up had icons in the buildings. We had icons in the bedroom, hallway, and main rooms. Icons were paintings, reliefs in stone or bronze, or mosaic tiles. Each was amazingly beautiful. I have never had any in my home because I didn't own any. Last year I bought my first one, St. Alexander (below St. Francis above) because the name I was baptized with is Alexandra. There are two St. Alexandras but I haven't seen one to purchase, so I think i am going to try to paint them next.
The reason for all of this is that I tried something new and surprised myself. Except for some technical issues, the teacher stated that she could never tell I had never painted before. I was flattered but have to give the credit to God who directed my hand. But I was very pleased that I mustered up the courage to try something new and push my envelope a little bit. While this was a small step, I have a new found joy.....a hobby, that once I can purchase the supplies, I plan on doing more of. I have a hobby......a hobby that makes me feel good, feel joy......and for that, I am grateful this Lenten season. Grateful for a new talent, and new gift from God, and a new way to live my life. So if there is something you have always wanted to try but never thought you would be good at it, try it anyway....add that to your life. You might surprise yourself.
They were offering a class at church in Icon painting. St. Francis, to be specific, one of my favorite saints. Lover and advocate for animals and possessor of stigmata. The icon I am painting is to the left, but that is not the one I painted, it is not done yet. When it is, I will post it. I think it isn't too bad.
So, I took this class more for the relaxation and prayer than anything else. I really wasn't expecting to actually paint anything of beauty. I wanted to, as my cousins said, expand my horizons. I wanted to push myself a little, try something new, learn something. And I did. I was pretty good.
I have always loved icons. Not just for the religious value, but for the art. Icons have been painted or created from mosaic or multi-media for two centuries. Icons were started by the earliest Eastern Catholic churches (Greek mainly) and have been dated back to as early as the second century. Everything within the image of the icon has meaning. For example, the above of St. Francis. While he holds a dove symbolizing his love of animals, the dove is white symbolizing the holy spirit. The red symbolizes divinity, the gold represents the radiance of heaven. Blue symbolizes human life. The icon of St. Francis has him holding a cross symbolizing the resurrected Christ and his has holes in his hands (not in this one) that symbolize the stigmata. He was a monk, therefore the brown robe, rope belt, and haircut. Every icon is easily identifiable by the symbols portrayed in the art work and no part is without symbolism.
I grew up with icons. Icons were everywhere, in my home, church, everyone else's homes, the shrine. Stores and restaurants where I grew up had icons in the buildings. We had icons in the bedroom, hallway, and main rooms. Icons were paintings, reliefs in stone or bronze, or mosaic tiles. Each was amazingly beautiful. I have never had any in my home because I didn't own any. Last year I bought my first one, St. Alexander (below St. Francis above) because the name I was baptized with is Alexandra. There are two St. Alexandras but I haven't seen one to purchase, so I think i am going to try to paint them next.
The reason for all of this is that I tried something new and surprised myself. Except for some technical issues, the teacher stated that she could never tell I had never painted before. I was flattered but have to give the credit to God who directed my hand. But I was very pleased that I mustered up the courage to try something new and push my envelope a little bit. While this was a small step, I have a new found joy.....a hobby, that once I can purchase the supplies, I plan on doing more of. I have a hobby......a hobby that makes me feel good, feel joy......and for that, I am grateful this Lenten season. Grateful for a new talent, and new gift from God, and a new way to live my life. So if there is something you have always wanted to try but never thought you would be good at it, try it anyway....add that to your life. You might surprise yourself.