About the Icons

In their essence icons are the product of a creative act inspired by religious faith. For centuries icons have held a special place in the devotional lives of many people. Most people, however, cannot help but feel moved by the experience of divine mystery and beauty which icons offer. Drawn by this blend of spirit , art and faith, I began making icons while living in the Netherlands . Initially they were my personal response to the isolation I felt as I adjusted to a new language and culture resulting from a move with my family to a provincial Dutch town. Over the past five years my experience with icons has lead me to an appreciation of the powerful transformative energy these images impart, not only for myself , but also for those who view them.

Technical Background

I am inspired by traditional icons and use those images as the foundation for my work. However, I work in bas-relief. First I make an initial clay piece by carving into the clay, as well as modeling it . Then I make a plaster of paris casting of the bas-relief. From this I make the final icon by making a casting using a fine liquid papier mâchè which was developed from an old recipe for doll-makers. After more than a week of careful drying, the bas-relief becomes stone-hard. I then paint the icon with the traditional egg tempera paints. Lastly I make a wood frame to complete the icon.