Joan Crawford Barnes, Watercolor Artist

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The Art of Iconography

The Icons presented in this segment of my website were written over a period of five years of study with The Prosopon School of Iconography taught by Master Iconographer, Vanislav Andreyev and his apprentices.

ArchAngelGabrielEggTempera.jpg

Arch Angel Gabriel

St.JohntheBaptistEggTempera.jpg

St. John the Baptist

St.PaultheApostleEggTempera.jpg

St. Paul the Apostle

Egg Tempera is the medium used with all natural pigments and egg yoke to make the paint. Icons are painted in the Russian Byzantine Tradition. They are done on a wooden board that is prepared first with a linen cloth applied and then ten layers of gesso (specially mixed) and sanded smooth to make ready for the image that is to take place.

ValadmirMotherofGodEggTempera.jpg

Mary the Mother of God

There are many steps in writing an icon and each step has very significant symbolism and theology. An Artist expresses their imagination and feelings. Icon Writers leave more in accordance with what the church requirements are - even if it contradicts his own desires.

St.StephenFirstDeaconandMartyrEggTempera.jpg

St. Steven the
First Martyr and
Deacon