The long and beautiful tradition of iconography deepens our faith. In this hands-on iconography course, students will get a taste of this rich practice of prayer and life of the Orthodox Church.

The class is given by Colette Kalvesmaki (bio below) who will provide all supplies and help the students with a step by step process. Each day builds upon another so it’s important to attend each day. On Friday and Saturday we will meet upstairs at 10 a.m. and take a half-hour lunch break around 1. Please bring your own lunch.

We will work on a masonite, clay practice board, with one of the most ancient of paints–egg tempera. No gilding for this course. Mrs. Kalvesmaki will demonstrate how how to make the paints during the class. Brushes, pigments, board, lights, wash basin, paper towels, palette, colored image and cartoon all supplied. However, if you want to bring some of your own brushes or other tools, you are welcome to.

When: September 20 through 22: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday after Divine Liturgy till 6 p.m.

Where: Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Dulles VA https://www.holyapostlesgreekorthodox.org/visit-us 

Cost: $250.00 per person, ages teen and up.

$50 deposit

or pay in full below.

$250:

Contact Colette with questions at paraskeve@gmail.com. 

Bio; Colette Kalvesmaki, Iconographer, Art Restorer, Director

Colette M. Kalvesmaki is trained in the tradition of Byzantine-Russian iconography.  She uses traditional materials such as egg tempera, gold on fine woods for panel icons as well as fresco for wall finishes. She graduated with a BA in Classical Archaeology in 1989 from the University of California, Santa Barbara and worked as an archaeologist in America and Greece before returning to school to receive a Masters in Theology from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in 1993. She moved to Massachusetts to study intensively for three years under the renowned Russian iconographer Ksenia Pokrovsky. While in Boston, Colette was also trained as an art restorer with Treffler and Sons Art Restoration Studios and in recent years has trained in the Buon Fresco Academy of Wall Artistry, expanding her abilities to a variety of wall finishes.

Colette started The Center for Byzantine Material Arts in Virginia in 2014 and continues to paint, teach and lecture for various Churches, Museums and Universities.  Her work can be found in formal exhibits, churches and private collections in America and internationally. Currently she is working on the chapel in the Orthodox Skete Queen of All in Virginia, and on the iconostasis of her church in Louisa, Virginia, St. Anna Orthodox Church.

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Icon for the next Intensive Iconography Course at Saint Annas Orthodox Church

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Homestead living at Spring Haven Farm Culpeper, Virginia

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpringHavenShop

New at Spring Hill Farm

June 2024

Fresh Rabbit Meat…..our fryers are between 2-3 lbs….born and raised on the farm….$10.00/lb

We make our own tinctures, teas and salves

Plantain Drawing Salve……great for drawing out venom from bug bites, infections, even draws splinters out too.

Goat Milk Soap…..Honey, Goat Milk and Oatmeal…..great for sensitive skin….$6/bar or 3 for $15

Elderberry Tincture….boost the immune system, each 2 oz bottle contains over 950 drops,

Take 10-20 drops per day in flu season.  2 oz goes a long way.  $20

Valerian Tincture….won’t make you drowsy, made with glycerin so it is

Also good for dogs, cats or goats!  Soothing calm to help sleep and calm a racing mind

Also helps with pms and hot flashes.  Human dosage 10-20 drops once or twice a day.

Dogs and cats (dogs have been given it before a show so they

Won’t be distracted by the crowds, but the dogs are still alert

…1 drop per 10 lbs of body weight. 2oz  $20

Get ready for cicada season, bats will eat them all up!!!  

Copperhead snakes love cicadas. Get rid of cicadas so your home is not overrun with snakes

It’s recommended you get several bat houses around your property. Each one of these houses will house 50 bats— the sooner you put them up the sooner the bats will find them and start them.   Place your orders now. Singles house 50 bats. $65 plus $22 shipping. Double $95 plus $22 shipping

Order them now and pick them up on Saturday or have them shipped

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Taught by Colette Kalvesmaki

Drawing and Painting Courses located at Many Years Farm!

These courses are meant to give training and understanding along with theological thought to the Holy Icon. They are introductory lessons. To learn iconography takes years to really accomplish. These lessons are only the beginning of this journey. They are far beyond just drawing and painting but a journey into how things are made and why they are made that way. A journey into making true beauty. That takes time and it is a process. I hope you will join me for this rare course.

I will continue to build on aspects of the icon and add more classes to this list as we come close to the years end.

Students will need to bring a sketchbook at least 9 x 12 inches. If you intend to take many of these courses you should get a multipurpose sketchbook which can be ordered on-line or purchased at any art store or Michael’s. Students can use the instructors supply of pencils and erasers.

All classes will be held at Many Years Farm in Madison Virginia

Email Colette at paraskeve@gmail.com if you have any questions. To save your space pay below at least a day before the class.

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Next class: How to draw 3/4 view of the face-more info coming soon!

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

Classes taught in 2023

All about Paint:
Any good artist needs to understand their materials.  This class is a hands-on course to help students understand how the ancients (and even moderners) make paint.  We look at materials for making paint such as bugs, rocks and plants and show how to prepare them for their various binders.  The binder holds the pigment and when mixed -it’s paint!  We will use egg tempera, wax and oil binders and make our own paints. One hour class. $25 per person all ages

How to Work Your Paints and Make a Color Palette: 
In this class students will learn the difference between “wash”, “petit lac,” and “hatching”, as well as saturation, hue and value of paints. Students will also learn the essential brush strokes and build a color palette to be used on their future icon works.  One hour class.  $36–includes cost of board. All ages.  Students will need to bring multipurpose sketchbook to this class.

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For those who are interested in private lessons, I usually teach 1 hour a week or every other week at my home.  All supplies are included accept the board which is $12 (Students will slowly buy their own supplies).

After a few icons the student will learn to make their own boards and can bring in a piece of 9 x 12” wood tat that time.  All the other supplies I will supply.  Lessons are $40 an hour.

There will be both drawing and painting in the lessons for the first year as well as homework.  Everyone is asked to buy a 11 x 14” mixed medium sketchbook to bring to class and take home.

After the student can paint longer on their own they can have longer lessons, most ask for 2 hour lessons. Usually takes about a year.

I’ll start to offer ‘Open Saturdays’ now and again as I build up more students.  That is where anyone who can paint on their own, but would like to paint for a stretch of time with me there, can come from 11 to 2pm. That is $ 10 an hour.

If you have any questions, please contact me;

Colette Kalvesmaki

Ph: 240 676 1350

Address: VA 22709

Web: www.byzarts.com

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Why not make a weekend of it?

Come for a class at Many Years Farm and explore the area after. 

1. The Market at Grelen in Orange VA: Set on a 1000-acre tree nursery, The Market at Grelen features: A European-Style Home & Garden Shop, Farm-to-Table Cafe, Wedding & Event Venue, Hiking Trails, Pick-Your-Own Farm, and ​Virginia Beer, Cider & Wine.  https://www.themarketatgrelen.com/
2. Antiquing through out the area.
3. Liberty Mills Farm, https://www.libertymillsfarm.store/
4. Christmas in Gordonsville VA (Dec 10th)
5. Chicken Fest in Gordonsville (Oct 1st)
6. Montpelier
7. Barboursville Vineyards
8. Bald Top Brewery
9. Downtown Orange, Gordonsville, Ruckersville, Charlottesville, etc., . . .
10. Barbecue Exchange, Gordonsville: https://www.bbqex.com/ (eating)
11. spa at Inn at Willow Grove
12. Visit or volunteer at a monastery-Queen of All Skete,10 minutes away from our farm.

Places to Stay

1. Hill of Content B&B
2. The Inn at Willow Grove
3. Air B&B Woodbourne Estate, circa 1810- right by Bald Top Brewery in Madison VA. 10 minutes from our farm. 
4. Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges www.gravesmountain.com, (540) 923 4231-has lots of places to stay.
5. Bed and Breakfast Network: https://www.bedandbreakfastnetwork.com/virginia/madison/

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The Icon Gallery is located here on this website under “store”

and at the Trinity House Cafe:

101 E. Market St., Leesburg VA 20176

 Look for our seasonal sales at the Trinity House Cafe

Contact Colette Kalvesmaki for more information or to order an icon.

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