Artesanto Workshop
icon workshop - taller de iconos
What you have been given as a gift
is for you to
share with your
brothers and sisters
CATERINA'S ICON
A Poem in Praise of Iconography
A few words about my teacher:
She opens the door,
Always smiling, present,
For the joyous work
We are to begin.
Sometimes the door handle
Falls off in her hands.
She holds it
As we embrace and laugh together.
We are in sacred space
Where there are no locks,
Only open doors
Inviting grace.
The work :
It flows,
As we greet finished works
And icons in progress
And contemplate their radiance.
We grind the minerals,
Once boulders, the sides of mountains
Into the finest powder
For our paints.
They humble themselves
To do this great work, as must we.
Even the gold
Must lie down as directed.
Egg yolk, water
Collaborate with earth
The tiny hairs of animals
Comprise our brushes.
Our boards are sacrifice
From the birch tree,
The clear and sweetest
Heartwood.
Our daily paint made,
We sit down to the work.
My hand trembles
As I hold the brush above the board.
“Go on, you can do it,”
My teacher whispers,
“The icon will teach you,
“You do not do this by yourself.”
Completion:
My teacher has said
This icon of the Compassionate Mary is written.
She blesses the icon formally
As I step out the door.
At home she glows
Graced by summer roses
Reflecting light and peace
To all who approach.
Caterina De Francesco August 26, 2006
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