Known as sacred doorways, or window to the soul, icons are an ancient form of art that continues on today.

The earliest surviving icons are dated in the 6th and 7th century and our preserved at St Catherine’s Monastery located at Mount Sinai, Egypt.

The Greek word “Icon” in its earliest translation dates back to the New Testament of the Bible meaning: image, likeness, portrait. The Old and New Testaments use the word “image” to describe all of us being in the image of God who made us.

Religious icons can be of Jesus Christ, Mary the Mother of Christ, Angels, Saints, or of an event from the Old or New Testament of the Bible.

Icons are considered written instead of painted, as they tell a story to the viewer. This was extremely important in the days long ago where only a few knew written language.

Icons are often used as a spiritual tool in someone’s prayer life. Other individuals enjoy them for the beauty of the art form.

There are many things in each icon that are symbolic (for example the colors used ) which only deepens the story of each icon.

Icons also may have inlaid gem stones, incised and raised surfaces, or a protection of engraved silver or bronze called an oklad. Icons may be large or portable, some as small as to be worn around the neck.

The icons I write are traditional, on a wooden panel, with a linen cloth, rabbit glue and marble dust gesso, ground pigments from the earth, egg yolk, wine, natural shellac, and 23 karat gold. Prayerfully written, and then blessed and anointed by clergy before “going out in to the world”.