Plan for the West Wall

In planning the icon’s placement for the west wall of Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church in Kitchener-Waterloo, I’ve tried to come up with something that is visually pleasing with the structure already present within the Nave.  Mostly, I’ve built upon the ratios possible within φ (the golden ratio: which is when, “the sum of the quantities to the larger quantity is equal to the ratio of the larger quantity to the smaller one” – Wikipedia ).

One thing I hadn’t realized before I measured was that the two sections of wall between the existing pillars are not of equal width.  After trying a couple of different solutions, I think it would be best to place four icons in the longer section, and three in the shorter.  This will allow the wall to be balanced throughout, and the icons to be of a good size.

I’m proposing that the final icons  should measure 2′ (61.0 cm) x 1¾” (4.4 cm) x 2′8″ (81.3 cm) (L x W x H).  This will make them quite large as free-standing panel icons, however many examples of icons this size, and even larger, have existed in churches; especially as processional icons.  In fact, I was fortunate enough to see a few such examples at the Onassis Cultural Center in their, “The Origins of El Greco: Icon Painting in Venetian Crete” exhibition during my trip to New York last month.

Given that, according to this plan, the west wall will now require seven icons, we may have to adjust the current time-line of this project.  However there are already two factors that will have impact upon that plan: Our late start in the project and the changing of my mind regarding the panels.

Every few years I have a moment of intense frustration regarding the time it takes to write an icon in the traditional manner.  But, time and time again this attitude is corrected (in this instance, it was my MFA critique!) and I remember what a privilege it is to create genuine icons. The decision to create the wooden panels will add months to this project; but centuries to the icons.

For now, I will continue to spent 10 hours a week on this project (as originally intended).

I welcome any comments, or thoughts, from the parish.


Transart Winter Residency

The last week of February I traveled down to New York City to attend the Transart Winter Residency.  While an optional part of my graduate studies, it seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up.
The residency took place at the Sideshow Gallery in Brooklyn.  Sideshow is a cozy gallery, and the perfect size


Prepping new colours

I’m now working on the second icon of my St. Barbara series, this one will be from outside Madoc, Ontario.  The colours from this location are much brighter than from Cobalt, and offer a naturally occurring yellow ochre and a beautiful Indian red.
But, I’ve come to realize that I am missing a good brown colour


St. Barbara’s face

Painting, painting, painting …
I’m actually rather pleased with how things are turning out.  The green annabergite pigment I’m using has presented some challenges, but these challenges have also led to some creative solutions and new techniques which I will continue to use in my regular painting practice.
I’ve also come a little closer in understanding what