The Icon
Images – icons have accompanied us in our walk with God for millennia. They can be found not only in churches, shrines and holy places, but are used also in our homes, are taken on journeys, overlook and bless our every task. These “visible signs of the invisible presence” are with us as a sign that we uphold that living, transfiguring Divine Presence in our lives.​
The aim in each icon is to testify to the Incarnation of God the Word and to the sanctity of the redeemed Creation.
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And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1;14)
I have been painting icons for over thirty years. I use the time-hallowed technique of egg tempera and gold leaf on wood. While being inspired by many of the ancient styles of iconography, I believe that the icon belongs in the here and now. It is not, however subject to trends and fashions. It doesn’t need to be updated, but must be relevant and must be strongly rooted in the collective experience of the Church – the Body of Christ.
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Working with the simplest natural materials I feel is particularly satisfying. They can be annoyingly and wonderfully unpredictable and bring “a life of their own” into my work. Their subtle, nuanced and changing beauty cannot be matched by synthetic substitutes. I choose natural materials also out of respect for our planet and all creation.
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I mainly work on commission and have fulfilled many for clients in the UK as well as abroad.
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If you would like to discuss a possible commission, please do email enquiries@tamarapenwellicons.com or phone +447505243074 me.