Beginning Iconography Course of Saint Katherine

July 24th, 2024 by

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

non-refundable deposit to hold your spot.  (Please pay remainder in check or cash first day of class.)

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.

Saint Anna, Mother of the Theotokos

June 7th, 2024 by

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

In the long and beautiful tradition of Iconography as a way to deepen ones faith, this course will give the student a taste of this rich practice. Through prayer and traditional technique, using one of the oldest mediums of paint-egg tempera, we will take the student step by step through the making of this icon of Saint Anna and the Theotokos.  You don’t need experience painting as there will be instruction and help if the student needs it. 

Pigments, boards, brushes, rulers, pencils, erasers, lights, palettes, wash jars, etc. . .  will be supplied for students to use, but you are welcome to bring whatever supplies you prefer from home. Its suggested you wear clothes to get paint on or an apron. If you have icons you wish to varnish-bring them and we will varnish them while we conduct the class.

Saturday Vespers is open to all after the Saturday classes, right next door.  All are welcome.

When: This will be a three day class Friday/ Saturday and the following Saturday in Oct  25/6 and Nov. 2. 10-4pm all days. We ask that you bring your own lunch for all days.  

Where: This Course will take place at Saint Anna Orthodox Church (saintannasorthodoxchurchlouisa.com) at 4642 East Old Mountain Road, Louisa, Virginia, in the big house.  No gilding for this class. 

Cost: $375
($100 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot.  Please pay remainder in check or cash first day of class.)

$100 deposit:

$375 full payment:

Contact Colette with questions at paraskeve@gmail.com.  We have limited seating so sign up soon.

Private Lessons

June 19th, 2023 by

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

Retreat for a day and iconography for mailchimp

May 17th, 2023 by

Starting in September 2023, Many Years Farm will offer classes/events once a month to bring people together for fellowship and learning. We love sharing our farm with others so people can forget their cares and soak in the beauty around them while they do something enjoyable. Visit with the baby goats, turkeys, and chicks. Sit on one of our many porches, sip tea or wine, and enjoy the evening bonfire

Classes will vary in cost and length but will generally be an afternoon event. 

The first class will be a scenic/still life painting exercise in egg tempera, held on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The class includes all supplies for painting (several brushes, pencils, erasers, pallets and paints–you will borrow my things–I have loads!) and a 9 x 12” board (which will not be borrowed, that’s yours to keep).   I’ll give a short lesson on how to use egg tempera and how to set up your painting, then you are free to paint what you like–cows in the field, a red barn, flowers, chickens scratching, goats jumping, mountains in the distance, and so forth. If you need more instruction, you can paint with me. We will paint for 3 hours, then take a break, have dinner and finally have dessert by the bonfire. The class will start around 2 p.m. and dinner will be around 6 p.m. Bonfire, dessert and drinks follow dinner. Cost $125 per person.

Other classes and events being planned:

  1. The Illuminated letter. Make an illuminated letter out of egg tempera and gold–art from the middle ages to take home and frame. 
  2. A demonstration on how to make paint. We will look at 3 different mediums (that make paint) and some of the surprising natural pigments they are made from. Students will partake in smashing, grinding, mixing- rocks, bugs and clays with oils, eggs and waxes. Great for adults and kids (and Sunday school) I get everyone out of their seats.
  3. High Tea. Bring your grand hat and we’ll have a prize for the greatest hat! 
  4. A sumptuous cooking class; a night of cooking and eating!
  5. How to roast coffee and prepare it (lots of different ways . . .)
  6. How to make mead: a demonstration
  7. Soap making. Will ask each person to bring some supplies.
  8. Cheese making: a demonstration
  9. Bread making: a demonstration

The Saint Nicholas Intensive Iconography course will be early Oct/ Nov.  I’ll send out a flier for that.

Got an idea, or would like to teach a class at our farm? Let me know!

People may want to stay at a nearby bed and breakfast so you won’t need to drive home so late. I will try to reserve a place nearby if we have enough people.

About Karen Ward

August 13th, 2016 by

unnamedKaren Ward, Iconographer, Artist, Art Teacher

Karen Ward completed her Certificate in Painting and Drawing from the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC in 2009 with a focus on landscape painting.  She is currently working on her Masters of Arts through the St. Stephan’s MA Program at the Antiochian Village located in Ligonier PA.  Her paintings have been exhibited in juried local and national shows in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, and she has been represented in various galleries in Virginia. Karen has taught drawing and painting classes for the past twelve years. Many of her students have gone on to exhibit and sell their works in juried shows and in galleries around the area.

For more on Karen visit www.MANDORLA-ARTS.COM

Now accepting commission for icons, she spends her time painting icons and teaching art classes.

BEYOND WORDS: ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS IN BOSTON COLLECTIONS

October 11th, 2016 by

ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS IN BOSTON COLLECTIONS is the first exhibition to showcase highlights of illuminated manuscripts in the Boston area. An ambitious collaborative project, Beyond Words is notable for the size of its curatorial team, the number of lending institutions, and a multi-venue display. The exhibition presents more than 260 outstanding manuscripts and printed books from nineteen Boston-area collections, dating from the ninth to the seventeenth centuries. The exhibit is supplemented by an extensive catalog, a three-day symposium, and public programming. Explore the website for additional information on Beyond Word://beyondwords2016.org/#overview.

More info at  http://beyondwords2016.org/#overview

National Gallery Images

February 5th, 2016 by

https://images.nga.gov/en/page/show_home_page.html