All Angels featuring 26 pieces of iconography artwork through April

Iconographers primarily use two mediums for their meticulously detailed works depicting religious scenes and figures: egg yolks mixed with natural pigments and 23-karat gold leaf. As artist Christine Hales explained, that shine is meant to depict God’s light, creating a more interactive experience for the viewer.

Hales hopes viewers have an opportunity to experience that connection when visiting her showing of pieces at All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church. Her work will be on display there until the end of April.

She originally hails from New York, but has been a Sarasota resident for the past five years. Right now, between the Longboat Key showing and an extensive display at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg, almost her entire body of work from the past several decades is available for public viewing.

Hales said in an interview it takes about three months to complete her more detailed pieces, and she often flows between multiple works at the same time, sketching out sacred geometry and layering the unique paints to give the enthrallingly deep sense of iconography.

Photo by Dana Kampa

“The egg tempera gives an almost jewel-like finish,” she explained.

This unique art form dates back to as early as the 16th century, and Hales said she, despite being a contemporary artist, relies on longstanding traditions in depicting Christian religious scenes.

When it comes to selecting a subject, Hales said what inspires her is her scripture reading of the day. The All Angels display includes 26 pieces, including portraits of Jesus and Mary, as well as scenes depicting the transfiguration of Jesus and the entry into Jerusalem.

“When God gives me an idea or thought, I research it further,” she said. “I go by a feeling of life that starts to feel like a little fire inside, and I follow that and see where it leads.”

Hales said she is immensely appreciative of the Key’s community of artists. This opportunity came about when a friend of hers had a showing at All Angels a few years ago, and she met Rev. David Marshall and Linn Torres at the opening. 

The positive feedback from her showing last year led to the St. Petersburg showing, and Hales said she was more than happy to return to Longboat Key this year. 

“I have so many great artist friends here, and there are so many opportunities,” she said. “It feels like the art community here is really alive and flourishing.”

Working with more than 100 pigments, Hales said she does her best to bring stories to life for viewers. She created the portrait of Mary currently on display while completing a residency in Vermont.

“For me, it’s a portrait of a beautiful, strong woman,” she said. “Strong, and yet peaceful and serene in her strength. Whereas here you have St. Michael, who is very strong also, but more warlike.”

She first got into this specific art form while attending art college in Boston. She said her husband, Michael, was photographing monastic gardens.

“We visited convents in France and the United Kingdom and here,” she said. “In France, the nuns introduced me to their iconographer, and I just got transformed. … I thought, ‘Wow, this is what I’ve always been searching for.’”

From there, she trained with iconographer Vladislav Andreev for her independent graduate studies and went on to make a career of it, studying all over the world with fellow artists and now leading her own classes. Hales said she appreciates how the art has passed from expert to student for centuries and hopes it continues to thrive.

Visitors can see her work during typical opening hours, and Hales said she is happy to lead group tours by request. The St. Petersburg exhibit will be available until April 30. 

She invites anyone interested in learning more about the art form or her workshops to visit her website at ChristineHalesIcons.com.