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About Arlene
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In 1988, at the direction of her priest, Fr. Damian Messires, she began the sacred task of painting icons. She sought direction in Pennsylvania at the Antiochian Village with Master Iconographer Phil Zimmerman and later in Moscow with Master Iconographer Vera through the St. Tikhon Theological Institute. She made personal retreats to the monastery in Rives Junction, Michigan and several trips to the Mount of Olives Monastery in Jerusalem to paint in the icon studios with the nuns. By working in the monastery studios and attending the church services, her artistic technique, spiritual development and aesthetic discipline merged. Arlene made 4 pilgrimages to the Holy Land including one at Pascha and witnessed the miracle of the Holy Light in the church of the Holy Sepulcher. She also visited many of the holy sites attributed to the Feast Days in the New Testament and Old Testament including a visit to Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine's Monastery. Visiting these areas where the incidents took place has increased her awareness with a deeper meaning when she now writes an icon attributed to the scene. "The experience of standing at the spot where Jesus walked; where he was born, preached, was crucified; when I visited Hebron where the angels met Abraham and when I stood on top of Mt. Sinai after a grueling climb and witnessed the sunrise as Moses did before he received the 10 Commandments left me with awe inspiring humility. And the feelings imbedded within me from these experiences awaken when I sit and write the icon connected to the many places I visited in Israel." Her work materials include:
Her studio maintains a sacred atmosphere including liturgical music, blessed lit candles, and an audience of icons for inspiration. Her point of focus is well kept when she reads:
“When painting an icon we place ourselves in eternity, we forget about space, time and perspective; we forget even about ourselves. The iconographer, through prayer, must descend into the infinite dimensions of his soul. There he finds the Temple of the living God; there is the source of good iconography”.
By Fr. Roman Braga, Dormition Monastery Rives Junction, Michigan
Arlene continues to work on her artistic technique and spiritual development through continuous study and retreats. She receives and accepts commissions from churches and for individual private collections in various sizes. Her work can be viewed in her Portfolio and in References.
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© 2002
Arlene's Icons
Arlene Anne Tilghman
All rights reserved
Arlene is second generation Russian descent,
baptized into the Orthodox faith from birth. She started her art career in
1968, beginning first in oils on canvas. For the next 20 years, Arlene
developed her realism style, painting wildlife, landscapes and still life and
sold her work at local art fairs and through commissions.