Artist Registry

Mary Kay Laplante - I grew up in Buffalo, New York and earned my bachelor of Fine Arts in Medical Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987. I have lived most of my adult life in State College, PA with my husband and 4 children (now grown). In 2006, I became acquainted with the Byzantine Icon through a short icon painting workshop offered locally. In my quest to learn more I navigated my way to The Prosopon School of Iconography and Iconology and subsequently studied under Vladislav Andrejev, the principal and founder of Prosopon, for 10 years. The icons I produce are made using the Prosopon School's iconographic technique which is rooted in the 15th century Russian school. It is made on a wooden panel with natural gesso, gilded with genuine gold leaf on clay bole and painted in egg tempera using natural pigments, then sealed with oil. The forms and colors used follow the Orthodox Church canons, and are based on Russian and Byzantine types. As a laborer in a living tradition of sacred art, I seek to remain true to the spirit and form of the iconographic traditions. I hope that the fullness of the spirit of the New Testament revelation, which belongs to Holy Icons, is in some part present in this work. Many spiritual writers explain that praying with icons is a receptive experience in which we gaze into Heaven and allow God to touch our heart. It is prayer to simply look at the icon and notice the various details and colors. An icon is often called a “theology of line and color” and it manifests to us the God who breaks through all signs and symbols with truth. The icon draws us into our feelings and spiritual awareness in relationship to God, who is present and represented in the icon. When looking at the icon, remain silent and still and recognize where your eye is drawn. What effect do the colors have on you? What feelings does the icon stir up? Notice the eyes. Let the eyes of the subject penetrate your soul. What are they seeing in you? What are they “saying” to you? Take as much time as you need with the icon. Ten or fifteen minutes is not too long. This type of prayer fosters a contemplative heart, one that slows down, perseveres, and seeks. Be still and know God’s presence.