Iconographers

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Iconographers translate revealed scripture and divine truths into visual images, writing--not painting the icon with consecrated brushes, paints, and materials. Ideally, they should be pious individuals trained by holy fathers. Monks and nuns, therefore, have traditionally been the primary source of icons. Most iconographers utside of monasteries today have commercialized the sacred art of iconography.

Iconographers should pray, fast, and avoid worldly excitement during their work. Individual interpretation should be kept to a minimum as their task is to pass on tradition by replicating previous icons within prescribed limits. Works should remain anonymous, but if signed, be inscribed with the words, "By the hand of [name]."

Archpriest Andrew Tregubov

A notable Russian-American iconographer and author, and lecturer, Fr. Andrew Tregubov has been writing icons for twenty-five years.

Fr. Paul Akmolin

Fr. Paul is an iconographer in the Jordanville school and is the priest of Christ the Savior Orthodox Mission in Wayne, WV. You can view his iconography and commission icons from him through his site Orthodox hand-painted icons

Fr. Anthony Salzman

Fr. Anthony is currently pastoring a small community, St. Philothea, in Athens, Georgia, where he is continuing to paint icons for churches and individuals including Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta, Georgia. He is also teaching Byzantine icon-writing at the University of Georgia through the Continuing Education department. Fr. Salzman has a Masters of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and studied Byzantine Iconography and Byzantine Art History for six years in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Fr. Salzman is available for slide lectures and demonstrations on the history, theology, and art of Byzantine iconography. Email him for more information; his email address is on his site.

His website is Image and Likeness Iconography.

Bridget Julia Hayes

Bridget Julia Hayes is an iconographer living in Tshwane, South Africa.

Matthew Kalamidas: Byzantine Studio

Matthew Kalamidas developed an interest in art at a young age, attending NYC's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art & The Performing Arts in New York City, concentrating on fine arts. He later received a Bachelor's Degree in Advertising Art & Design and Visual Communications from SUNY at Farmingdale.

While his schooling concentrated on the fine arts, he never received formal instruction in Byzantine iconography, and is essentially self-taught. Close observation of many historically important Byzantine icons, which he had the opportunity to view while travelling in Greece and throughout the Holy Lands, helped him in learning to use and develop the traditional techniques used to create these unique paintings. The icons are handcrafted with great care using 22kt. German gold leaf and the highest quality acrylic pigments. Icons are created on panels with a raised border and murals are painted on canvas which can then be adhered to the wall surface. Along with samples of traditional iconography in the gallery, you can also view samples of glass and marble etchings.

In his artwork, Matthew employs many different painting techniques, producing completed artworks in various genres ranging from Byzantine icons, to traditional oil paintings. He is currently an accomplished professional graphic artist, working as Art Director at a major publishing house in the United States.

His website is www.byzantinestudio.com.

Virgin Mary

Vivian Karayiannis

• www.heavenlyart.net

[1] Icon of "Our Lady of Joy" with St. Christopher and St. Francis of Assisi

Vivian has a true love for her vocation and she is trying to bring spiritual stimulating artwork into the churches. Her diversity as a painter makes it easy to define a specially designed work for any church. She’s creating small to wall scale paintings on wood panels or canvas. Vivian's icons are evoking works of fine art and also visual aids that lead those who view and venerate the icons deeper into the spiritual life of the church.

Born in Greece, she moved to North America in 1990 and since 1991 she has lived in Houston, TX, with her husband and two daughters. She studied Byzantine iconography and had her apprenticeship in the atelier of Mr. Hantzaras, one of the leading iconographers in Greece. She continued her studies in art at the University of Houston. During the past 20 years, she painted in many mediums including oils, acrylics, watercolors, but her primary medium is the egg tempera, one of the oldest and most versatile mediums.

External links

Icons For Sale

• Byzantine Studio: Hand-crafted byzantine icons, murals, marble and glass etchings and other Byzantine art poducts
• Hand painted icons by Tom Tsagalakis
• Heavenly Visions Byzantine Icons
• Icons Handpainted by Vladimir Baranov
• Image and Likeness Iconography by Fr. Anthony Salzman
• The Silver Icon Catalogue
• St. Isaac of Syria Skete - Orthodox Byzantine Icons
• Fr. Luke (Rolland) Dingman - An icon writer
• Sacred Art by Vivian Karayiannis