Iconographers

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• Bridget Julia Hayes Bridget Julia Hayes is an ikonographer 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. He lives in New York, with his wife and their three children.

His website is www.byzantinestudio.com.