White Wood Beaded Prayer Loop with Ceramic Cross.
At Locusts and Honey we wanted …
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“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 29:13-14a (ESVUK)
Welcome to Locusts & Honey a new iconography studio based in South Wales, specialising in the tradition of Celtic Christianity and Byzantine style. Our hand-painted icons are created using the time-honoured techniques of egg tempera painting and guiding. All our paints are made directly from pigment and we run the studio with sustainability in mind.
Why Icons?
Icons will bring you into the company of the saints, they remind you that you have a rich tradition in Celtic Christianity and Ancient Faith. You may identify with a particular Saint, or perhaps a traditional festal icon such as the ‘Transfiguration’. With patience and meditation icons can guide you into fellowship with the holy mysteries.
We have a deep reverence for the Celtic Saints of the British Isles. Our iconography is characterised by an austere and abstract style; earthy colours recall the wall paintings of the Catalan Romanesque. We create icons to draw the viewer into a space of prayer and contemplation. This artistic choice resonates with the ascetic and hermetic practices of early monastics, inviting you to see with the eye of the heart.
St Cuthbert (after Aidan Hart)
Prayers are said in the morning before work begins on any icons, you can expand the sections below to read the prayers.
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O Divine Lord of all that exists, You have illumined the Apostle and Evangelist Luke with Your Most Holy Spirit, thereby enabling him to represent the most Holy Mother, the one who held You in her arms and said: ‘the Grace of Him Who has been born of me is spread throughout the world.’
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Enlighten and direct our souls, our hearts and our spirits. Guide the hands of your unworthy servant, so that we may worthily and perfectly portray your icon, that of Your Holy Mother and of all the saints, for the glory and adornment of Your Holy Church. Forgive our sins and the sins of those who will venerate these icons, and who, standing devoutly before them, give homage those they represent. Protect them from all evil and instruct them with good counsel. This we ask through the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Apostle Luke, and all the saints, now and ever and unto ages of ages.”
The icon of St Cuthbert (above) was completed during an intensive course. It is shown here during the application of a lavender damar varnish. The image demonstrates the Kivotos frame (you can see the indentation around the interior if the icon). The Icon board is made from gessoed tulip wood.
“Now John wore a garment of camel 's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.”
Mathew 3.4 (ESVUK)
Our Story
The name "Locusts & Honey" is inspired by John the Baptist, also known as ‘John the Forerunner,’ who famously ate locusts and wild honey to survive. I started L&H after a family friend (and Anglican priest) explained the mystery of the Resurrection icon, I was captivated by it and began to research iconography and kept going deeper. I have received much support from so many people in the short time since, for which I am truly grateful. A few words about me: I am a trained contemporary artist holding a BA (HONS) fine art, and (MFA) Master of Fine Art, along with various postgraduate studies. My journey so far has taken me across the world making art, I have also studied painting at the Cyprus College of Art.
In 2021 after being enlightened by the Resurrection icon, I experienced a profound conversion, reigniting my Christian faith. This pivotal moment led me to rediscover prayer & study iconography theory, I realised that there could be a deeper purpose for my art that I had not considered. Although contemporary iconography often relies on ‘prototypes’ is not craft or copying; it is a living tradition rich in theological and artistic heritage.
Transitioning from contemporary art to iconography has required a completely different approach (at least for me). I have taken courses with renowned iconographer Aidan Hart and plan to continue my studies. Although I am just starting out, I am learning rapidly through ‘doing’ and God willing, with the guidance of the Spirit, I aim to make iconography that is useful and transformative.
L&H / 2024
Commissions
Get in touch if you would like to commission an icon, or just to find out more about the process. Prices for icons (A5 size) start from £200+ postage and packaging. Pricing will vary according to size, intricacy of the subject, quantity of gilding.
Saint John of Damascus
“I do not worship matter; I worship the Creator of matter who became matter for my sake, who willed to take his abode in matter; who worked out my salvation through matter. Never will I cease honoring the matter which wrought my salvation! I honour it, but not as God.”