Virtuoso Icon Art🎄✝️
The exquisite serenity of the modern icon
Fascination/Inspiration…
Ivanka Demchuk paints exquisite contemporary icons that capture the spirituality of traditional biblical stories while soaring into new flights of artistic imagination.
In contrast, below is a traditional icon of the same subject, the birth of Jesus, often called “The Nativity”
Below is another nativity scene by Demchuk, a great departure from the usual composition of the birth of Christ:
Ivanka Demchuk is an artist living in Lviv, Ukraine. She writes about her art:
An important aspect of my work is the modern reflection of sacred art for the spiritual enrichment of a person, a new reflection of the religious essence, research into the principle of interpreting an icon or a work of religious art without losing its sacred meaning.
Icons can and should develop, change, embody the best aesthetic achievements of its time, then it becomes closer to the perception of a modern person. At the same time, as a sacred work, it should preserve spirituality in each new appearance.
Searching for new means of expression in the process of work, I use both modern and ancient technologies to create interesting colour effects and textures, in particular chalk gesso and natural pigments, which perfectly approach the experiments and research.
Here are three renditions of the Annunciation, the moment the angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she is carrying the baby Jesus, son of God.
The first is a traditional icon depicting the Annunciation, followed by two interpretations by Demchuk:
Here is Demchuk’s Noah’s Ark…wow!!
Below are three panels from a series of wall paintings at Saint Nicholas Church in Granada (Spain), painted by Ivanka Demchuk and Arsen Bereza.
Demchuk writes:
An important task for the artist, who creates a modern sacred painting, is to preserve the atmosphere of spirituality that will promote prayer and inspire reflection, while the painting itself must be stylistically relevant for its time.
How does Demchuk’s work affect you?
You must see more of her incredible work:
And follow her on Instagram, that’s how I found her:
More Christmas inspiration…
My nephew David Shortell wrote this eye-popping article for National Geographic: “Inside the world’s biggest pilgrimage for the Virgin Mary”
Millions of faithful descend on Mexico City each year, at first by bike or by foot and then often crawling on their knees in honor, to behold Our Virgin of Guadalupe.
Ernesto Aguilar Morales crawls on his knees during the last two hours of his pilgrimage after 4 days of walking from Puebla. Ernesto is honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe for a miracle she performed for him—one that he will not talk about to outsiders. Photo by Kike Arnal
Book Update…
For the holiday season, I've been focusing on placing Art & Love in independent bookstores. Imagine my surprise when two bookstores immediately put the book on display! Here are two moments that were captured:
Forest Books, my neighborhood bookstore in Japantown, placed the book in their window!
And Capital Bookstore on K, in Sacramento, immediately placed the book on the Art & Architecture shelf :
If you haven’t already, you can order Art & Love at any independent bookstore or on my website.
I’m gearing up for a Valentine’s Day promotion of Art & Love. Ideas welcome!
I leave you with a
Christmas Song…
"Away in a Manger" was first published in the late nineteenth century. This is Waylon Jennings’ beautiful country rendition, complete with sliding guitar and harmonica. 1
Carry on bravely as we enter 2026. I sense an awakening approaching…
With hope & love,
Lora
I love reading your comments!
Away in a Manger — Lyrics
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes,
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky,
And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.
The music comes from a melody called, “Mueller” by James R. Murray (1887). The lyrics in the first two verses have never been attributed. Lyrics in the third verse were added later, usually attributed to John T. McFarland (early 1900s).
NC was no doubt an artist; and his illustrations are as much art as his son's.
The modern renditions of the Christian spiritual art are very interesting. I got a kick out of the clock on the wall behind Mary in one painting!
Also, it's exciting that your cousin's article was published in National Geographic.
And finally, congratulations again on the publication of your book! There are many artistically inclined people in Sonoma County and I believe there are a number of indie bookstores here too. You're welcome to stay with me and visit them if you wish.