Hand Painted Icons from the Hand of Father Vladimir Studio School

To all of my iconography students: after much prayer and consideration, I have decided that after October 15, 2022, I am taking a hiatus of indeterminate length from teaching iconography. 2022 has been an extremely dramatic year for all of us, and for me especially with all of my health and financial struggles. I will be taking the time to get back on track, so to speak. To all my new students, be patient! To all my students, keep practicing. And to all of you, keep me in your prayers. Know that all of you are loved and prayed for by me.

In Christ Jesus,

Igumen Vladimir Lysak.

What an incredible, blessed week it was with Andrea and Joey Davis. Andrea got all to way to the face of her icon, and Joey also painted with us, to see some of the process of how icons are made. It is always heartwarming to see such growth and eagerness to learn from my students; the fact that Andrea had so much support from Joey, even to the point of painting with us, was really something. I look forward to finishing this first icon together. Welcome back, anytime! Here is the compulsory Eggs Benedict photo. Cheesecake was consumed last night. 😉

My student Andrea Davis (right) and her husband Joey. Joey decided to join us in painting. Andrea is working on an icon of Christ of the Fiery Eye. It has been such a great pleasure to have them both here. But we still have two more days…

Very pleased with my student Nicole Stefanie’s work. She came for a two day painting session to paint St Peter. I had her redraw her drawing twice (all my students know I am a stickler for a good drawing) and then she painted. If she would have had one more day, she would have been finished. She is improving so much from when we first started until now. Can hardly wait for our next class together.

My students know this too well!

The requisite eggs Benedict photo with my student Nicole and her husband Erik! What a wonderful three days of iconography, worship, and renovations. I have a closet for my vestments and several other odd jobs done, some in preparation for my new house mate, and some just for me, plus two nearly completed icons by my erstwhile student. Very pleased with the progress being made, both on my house and iconographically. Welcome back any time!

After an impromptu and quite quickly arranged weekend visit, my dear student Nicole Stefanie managed to almost completed partially finished icons. We had started the Paul on the far right last year; she had started the middle Paul on her own 4 years ago? Anyway: this was the weekend everything aligned for her to join me and finish painting these icons and her husband to finish a closet he started. I am always willing to make a deal! And what a lovely weekend it has been. More icons to come.

Final hours with my student, Judy Shore. And the traditional final meal of Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and some cheesecake to finish. It has been an amazing, full week. And a completed first ever icon, painted in egg tempera with only 4 colours. Glory to God for all things!

Nearly done: from the top down, my example for the course I taught in Denmark, the icon I painted for the icon booklet for the course, the icon I am painting with Judy, and at the bottom, Judy’s icon. One more full day! It will be a big push, but hopefully we will get our icons done.

My current student Judy diligently working on her very first icon: the Mother of God of Igor.

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