Iconography workshop offered for artists

courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

Iconographer Matthew Garrett will teach an iconography painting class in October.

BOISE, IDAHO —- Icons are familiar works of art in Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism; Utah artists now have a chance to learn to create them under the guidance of a professional iconographer.

An icon "is a statement that not only says that God become incarnated, but he also died and he took our human nature with him back to heaven as the Holy Spirit lives with us," said Matthew D. Garrett, an iconographer who grew up on the campus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, where he developed a great appreciation for icons.

When Garrett was 10, he spent the summer working for Philip Zimmerman at the St. John of Damascus Icon Studio. For the next few years, Garrett spent much of his free time reading about icons, looking for interesting prototypes to paint and working at the studio, as well as painting at home.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with highest honors from St. Vincent College, receiving an award for excellence.

Since graduation, he has set up a studio and has continued to grow as an artist, developing his own style. His work ranges from larger-than-life murals to postage stamp-size icons.

"I base my compositions on traditional — although sometimes, unusual — prototypes," said Garrett about his icons. "In my own spirituality iconography is a way of having that physical connection between myself and God. I just fell in love with the idea of spreading the Gospel."

Garret has exhibited his work and given lectures on iconography at festivals, churches, and conferences. His work can be seen in many Pennsylvanian churches, including St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church and the St. Peter and Paul Chapel at the Antiochian Village.

Now Garrett has been asked to lead his first iconography painting class. "It’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while," he said. "It’s an opportunity to teach people not just the technique but also the theology that goes with it the understanding of God."