Each year the Rye Arts Festival offers a wonderful eclectic mix of talks, drama, walks, music, stimulating interviews and so much more. This year in September Sharon Seager will be talking about her journey on the Marsh on which she blends iconic painting with a pilgrimage.
What draws you to pilgrimages?
I am drawn to the practice of pilgrimage, the idea of a conscious purposeful travel which feels such a valuable antidote to my experience of the craziness of the day-to-day life. Once at the destination I like to find a peaceful spot and try to sense the essence of the place. Sometimes I make a formal prayer; at other times it’s a time of personal contemplation.
Having the ancient Marsh churches ‘on my doorstep’ the idea of a regular commitment to pilgrimage as part of my nourishment was too delicious to ignore. I was also particularly interested as some of these ancient churches which honour saints that are recognised by the Orthodox Church. It’s easy to forget that the Orthodox Church had a strong and ancient presence in these lands – St Joseph of Aramethea, who is said to have visited Glastonbury, and the ancient saints of the north: Cuthbert, Aidan & Hilda – there is, I sense, a growing interest in the local ancient saints.
My pilgrimage is not intended as a source of creativity in a direct visible way; the nourishment, connection to place and practice for its own sake is what drives me. That being said, I have the genesis of a plan to paint icons of local saints using, in addition to the usual materials, hand-crafted pigments from materials foraged in the local area associated to the particular saint.
How did your painting career begin?
I studied Art and Art History in School to A level and Scenic Art at the Guildhall of Music & Drama in the early 80s. More than this, I was privileged to be educated by my parents to look in detail at things and was habitually taken to visit museums, galleries and historic houses. In these places I was always excited to spot an old icon even though I had no knowledge of what it was or what it was for.
During the years of study with the Prosopon School I was in classes four to five weeks a year and applied myself in between in a self-directed way. I used to ask for a critique from the tutors and with a little persuasion they would offer ideas for my home practice.
When did your icon painting journey begin?
I began painting icons 2013 during a week-long course with Dr Irina Bradley. Irina introduced me to the Prosopon School of Iconology. My studies have continued with the core senior faculty to date and I continue to be mentored by them.
Prior to beginning to learn the practice of icon painting I had spent over twenty-five years practising meditation. During this period I had been seeking an artistic creative practice that united both creativity and spiritual practice. It took a long time, perhaps ten years, before I ‘stumbled’ on icon painting.
What is the difference between iconography and painting?
A painting, whether fifteenth century or contemporary, is a depiction of a human situation/event or emotion or reaction to a human emotion/event. We humans view it and respond in recognition, whether positively or negatively.
An icon is theology in a symbolic way portrayed in line, shape and colour. It is one of three pillars of Orthodox Christianity: Cross, Bible, and Icon.
Icons can be ‘read’ across geography and time as they represent a theology that has continued unbroken since the Last Supper in the Upper Room. The images shown are the Uncreated Light of God depicted through the facet of the uncreated energies via the face of a saint or a scene related to a feast
How long does it take to paint an icon and what media do you use?
It takes from 55 hours upwards to paint an icon depending on size of board and complexity of sketch
The materials are egg tempera (egg yolk & dry white wine) mineral earth and semi-precious pigments, gold leaf and red clay mixed with hide glue. Sable and squirrel brushes are most commonly used in small sizes. The style I practise is painting flat on a table. My commissions begin from £800.
How to contact Sharon
I participate in Coastal Currents open studio; Instagram @iconsthroughsharon; my website:
via wwwprosoponschool.org under listings of affiliate tutors.
prosoponsussex@gmail.com
Image Credits: Sharon Seager .