toddbert's Xanga

we do weddings really well

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:50:47 GMT

I was at an Orthodox wedding this weekend-- it was the first one I'd seen outside of my own. It was really pretty, and I got to relive some of my own wedding. There were big chunks of the ceremony I had forgotten, to be honest.

But we do weddings very well, I think.

oh yeah, I still have a blog

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:45:17 GMT

I've been busy with life stuff and being married and the like.

Merry Chistmas.

more icon junk

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:26:18 GMT

Beloved_Speak asked 'did you find the process of creating it [the icon] to be meditative?'

Not really, but mostly because it was a class; there was someone always looking over your shoulder and correcting you. I would guess that when you're "good at it" and can do a lot of the stuff without overthinking that it might take on a meditative quality.

I'm working on a second one now; it's a different experience, but not a relaxing one, as I'm a little focused on my paint mixing skills, which could best be described as 'primitive'. We'll see if it becomes meditative; for now, I pray a little before I start work, and when I am done. We'll see if that evolves into a prayerful process.

like an icon, but slightly uglier

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 15:09:13 GMT

Here's the result from the first class. The picture isn't all that great, as I am using 'photo booth' to take it.

because answering questions makes for easy entries

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:32:15 GMT

Sonnetjoy queries "Why is it called "writing" an icon?"

For a variety of reasons--

The literal translation of the Greek is "image writing".
It's a throwback to the time when a lot of people were illiterate, and icons served as a major medium of 'written' communication to them, through their symbolic nature.
It's a reminder to the faithful that there is something 'different' about these images; using a different term for 'created a picture of' reinforces that.
It's a reminder that icons are not 'art' in the sense that people creating them are putting creative expression into them. The creation of icons is a form of prayer. It's more like copying an illuminated manuscript than it is painting a picture.

That having been said, our instructor uses 'painting' all the time to describe the process, and I'm inclined to use it amongst other Orthodoxen. Like the difference between 'pray','venerate', and 'intercede', it's a distinction I'm more careful with when talking to non-Orthodox folk.

life at the icon factory

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:25:07 GMT

Not too bad; the icon is beginning to look a lot more like the icon we are writing as a class, and I've been inspired enough to attempt to write another one. It is, as the iconographer who is teaching the class suggested "more craft than art". Someone else called it 'coloring for God', which sort of amused me. My wife, as she often does, is quietly tolerant of my obsession, picking up Gesso and other random art supplies so I can take a crack at my own icon. I have a modern looking version of the Pantocrator that looks like I might have a shot at.

Then, after that, who knows. For now, it's enough to do two, I think.

is not icon, is outrage

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:08:28 GMT

Well, I am taking an iconography class my church is running. It's run by a russian guy, who's own work is quite beautiful, and who's skill with a brush is hilariously amazing. He also does a good job of fixing our collective mistakes. He seems to have his own little language:

"Is ok, but..." means "My God, that is hideous."
"Let me correct that..." means "My God, that is hideous."
"Looks good, but..." means "My God, that is hideous."

But I'm learning quite a bit about the art of iconography, all the same. I may take another crack at it when the class is done.

"I will always be helping you if you continue..." means "I'll always help you, if you continue."

I like that.

fall is almost here

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:04:04 GMT

It's my favorite cooking season; I love the foods of fall. Big, bold comfort dishes with lots of ingrediants. Last night I made a Coq au Vin, and used the carcass to make a stock, which simmered in a crock pot over night. The house smells warm and comfortable, and a universe of soups await, not to mention breads, doughs and other goodness to go with them... fall rules.

one of those evenings

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:55:54 GMT

It's one of those evenings when I feel like there's a million things to do, so I am doing nothing. I actually wish I had made plans, which is rare for me. I'd like to get something done; but I probably won't.

Sigh.

I am already a college dropout

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 05:02:52 GMT

So, I quit school. After three weeks of classes, I discovered a few things:

I don't like classroom learning.
Other students bug me/are dumb/bug me and are dumb.
know a lot more about religious history and biblical textual criticism than I think I do.
Professors often have horribly narrow, overly specific viewpoints about things, which, at my advanced age, I find annoying.

So the tradeoff for the time wasn't ultimately worth it. I don't believe I have some grand calling to the priesthood, and my lack of willingness to sit in classes is a further indicator that I don't.

My last question is this-- why do people seek to change religious organizations they disagree with? I think New Agey stuff is silly and pointless, but I wouldn't invade the hippie bookstore downtown and demand that they all, oh, I dunno, face east or wear green shirts or something. So why does someone who doesn't believe in Catholic doctrine feel the need to 'demand that the church ordain women priests'?

Yeesh.