Posts by Andrew Gould
Update on the Dome Frescoes at Santa Rosa, CA
Iconographer Fr. Patrick Doolan and his assistant, Father Moses, continue their extraordinary fresco work at St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA (OCA). They have recently completed the angel range of the dome. (The first phase – the Pantocrator – was described in this article from last fall.) These photos show their work over…
Continue reading »Orthodox Banners for the March for Life
New World Byzantine Studios donated new banners for the Orthodox delegation to the annual March for Life, which took place on January 22nd in Washington D.C. The project began when members of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary expressed a desire for attractive new banners that would project the character and dignity of Orthodoxy. Andrew Gould designed and made them…
Continue reading »A Choros Chandelier for a Timber Frame Church
During the fall and winter of 2013, I had the marvelous opportunity to make and install a choros chandelier for St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church in Waldorf, Maryland (a parish of the American Carpatho-Russian Diocese). The project was my second large articulated choros (the first, in South Carolina, was described in this article from…
Continue reading »A Symptom of Modern Blindness – Further Thoughts on the Phrase “To Write an Icon”
This is post 2 of 3 in the series “To Write or to Paint an Icon” Several contributors go over the common debate on whether one “writes” or “paints” an icon. Is “Write” Wrong?: A Discussion of Iconology Lingo A Symptom of Modern Blindness – Further Thoughts on the Phrase “To Write an Icon” From…
Continue reading »Orthodox Architecture and Iconography as Subjects in Fine Art Painting
Orthodox liturgical artists treat the vast world of secular fine art with some trepidation. The question of fine art influence on iconography, in particular, is a very delicate one. Western painting styles have done great harm to iconography historically. The reverse is arguably true as well. The ‘discovery’ of medieval painting inspired western…
Continue reading »Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections
An excellent show on Byzantine art is currently on display at the National Gallery in Washington D.C. The show opened on October 6th, but shut down temporarily with U.S. Government, and was rather obscured as a result. Since many folks have been left unaware of the show, we are calling attention to it here. Specifically, it…
Continue reading »A New Cathedral for Montenegro – Thoughts on the Architecture
On Monday the primates and hierarchs of many nations gathered to consecrate a new cathedral in Podgorica, capital of Montenegro. Coverage of the grand event can be found on many news sites, but here I would like to reflect upon the building itself and its appointments. Construction of the cathedral began in 1993. It is…
Continue reading »Further Thoughts on Machine-Manufacture of Liturgical Art
This is post 2 of 3 in the series “Hand and Machine” Jonathan Pageau and Andrew Gould exchange ideas in an attempt to understand the difficulties and opportunities of new technologies in the making of liturgical art. The discussion is also in reaction to fr. Silouan’s article on Degraded Iconicity. The Robot and The Master…
Continue reading »Dome Fresco Underway in Santa Rosa, CA
It is a rare treat to see the work of Fr. Patrick Doolan in progress. A renowned iconographer trained by Leonid Ouspensky, Fr. Patrick is a master of true fresco. For a number of years, he and his assistant, Fr. Moses, have worked to fresco St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA…
Continue reading »Bell Ringing in Scripture and Liturgy, from BLAGOVEST BELLS
Dear Readers, We have had a request for articles on liturgical bell ringing, so I am pleased to offer this excellent piece prepared by Mark Galperin and John Burnett of BLAGOVEST BELLS: Dear Brothers and Sisters: Church bell ringing is an intrinsic and permanent part of the Orthodox liturgical and musical tradition. It is deeply rooted…
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