Jour 3

Today was an interesting day. We start each day with Messe, Pere Igor presiding- isn’t that cool? I have finally gotten my hands on a Missalette, so I can follow along and understand the readings. Today, I put on the halo or in French “aureole”. It is always a learning experience. We used an adhesive or mordant that I have never used- mixion de duror (?). I am not sure what is in it. It dries very quickly, so the application of gold is a quick process. Maybe an hour altogether. It was fun, too because I was doing it with one of the English speakers in the class. Then it was time to open up the icon or put on the first colors. I am a little confused because I was under the impression that Pere Igor preferred transparent colors, but everyone is putting very dark and opaque colors on. I feel like when in France…but then everyone seems to be doing their own thing. So, I decide to do my own thing. I am sure Pere Igor will let me know from across the room if I am doing something sacrosanct.



This is where my SJ friends would be going nuts. It causes me to ponder. A. Do people think it strange that I am taking this stage here when I don’t speak French? B. Am I a nuisance to the helpers who do not speak French? C. What does Pere Igor understand about me? Even when he asks me a question or says something, and vice versa, I am not sure we are communicating accurately.

Sharon: Do you think I should add something here? (There is an empty spot on the icon) And, I point to a different icon of St. John that has more plants and some rocks.
Pere Igor: No, I think you should leave it dark. What I was saying was not for you. (Sharon is thinking “you were saying something?”)
Sharon: Should I start with the face? (Usually you start with the skin color)
Pere Igor: I think you have not done uh uh…
Sharon: St. John before?
Pere Igor: yes, yes- do wings
Sharon: I have done the baptism that has St. John- show him icon. (confused look on his face- really?)
Pere Igor: I don’t know.
Sharon walks away.

This is good. It is like, being in my studio alone with no one to externally process with, but I still have companionship. And, there are people with more experience around to keep me from doing something really horrible. It is good practice for when I go to this on-going icon workshop in San Francisco. It meets on Sunday afternoons twice a month.

I have six days left, maybe five b/c I need to let my icon dry. I will try even more to watch and learn.