Walking on Water
Given by Mr. and Mrs. John T. Hazel in honor of Caroline Annie and Lane Merrill.
For the Jews, water represented chaos and danger - they were desert people. Because Jesus had control over the waters of the earth, it symbolized that he was the creator of all.
Peter, as always, gets it right at first - he trusts Jesus so much he is able to talk on the water. It is only when his faith falters and he becomes afraid that he sinks.
This icon is a beautiful example of Sister's detailed work. First, notice the waves and the minute attention and detail she has given each wave. This is amazing, but the real labor of love is the raised work in the sky. She starts this process by taking a needle and carving the design into the wood. She then takes two brushes - one with only a few bristles, and builds up the design with a mixture she makes. She takes the other brush and "cleans up" the lines. She says that on a good day if the weather is right she can complete one of the raised squares on the border.
There is much work involved before she gets to this point. She selects the wood and lets it age for 10 years before she starting work on it. Next she cuts the shape and hollows out the inside. Then comes linen dipped in rabbit glue that is carefully placed over the wood - back and front. This linen and the aging is to make sure that the wood does not warp over time. She covers this with gesso, a plaster-like material that must be perfectly smooth to paint on. In order to get this surface, she sands the board thoroughly and then takes a razor, held at a 40-degree angle, and polishes it. When she is through, the surface is mirror-like and ready for the paint.
-Sandy Kezar
Peter, as always, gets it right at first - he trusts Jesus so much he is able to talk on the water. It is only when his faith falters and he becomes afraid that he sinks.
This icon is a beautiful example of Sister's detailed work. First, notice the waves and the minute attention and detail she has given each wave. This is amazing, but the real labor of love is the raised work in the sky. She starts this process by taking a needle and carving the design into the wood. She then takes two brushes - one with only a few bristles, and builds up the design with a mixture she makes. She takes the other brush and "cleans up" the lines. She says that on a good day if the weather is right she can complete one of the raised squares on the border.
There is much work involved before she gets to this point. She selects the wood and lets it age for 10 years before she starting work on it. Next she cuts the shape and hollows out the inside. Then comes linen dipped in rabbit glue that is carefully placed over the wood - back and front. This linen and the aging is to make sure that the wood does not warp over time. She covers this with gesso, a plaster-like material that must be perfectly smooth to paint on. In order to get this surface, she sands the board thoroughly and then takes a razor, held at a 40-degree angle, and polishes it. When she is through, the surface is mirror-like and ready for the paint.
-Sandy Kezar
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St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Tampa, FL
4311 West San Miguel Street Tampa, FL 33629 (813) 251-1660 [email protected] Summer Worship Schedule 10 a.m. Blended Sunday Worship Schedule 8 a.m. Contemplative 10 a.m. Blended |
