Böcker av Mary Jane Miller

Mary Jane Miller is an Iconographer living in Mexico. This book compiled a collection of contemporary iconography and biblical women in the Sacred arts. The 42 portrayals include women on thrones like that of Saint Simona seated, women writing as intelligent teachers of truth, some conversing with men, or being robbed of investments like a priestess. Women in Iconography is a beautiful representation of images and ideas based on historical and traditional masterworks. Some icons are lesser-known saints or even unnamed. The paintings are my versions of women in Iconography, sometimes inspired to change the landscape, style, color, or symbols while keeping the intrinsic message.I have painted a collection of noble women in iconography to highlight their discipleship through their knowing Christ. The imagery is well thought out, keeping with the contemporary discussions about biblical women in Iconography. Their portrayal includes women on thrones like that of Saint Simona seated, women writing as intelligent teachers of truth, some conversing with men, or being robbed of investments like a priestess.The images and ideas are based on historical and traditional masterworks. Some icons are lesser-known saints or even unnamed. The paintings are my versions of women in Iconography, sometimes inspired to change the landscape, style, color, or symbols while keeping the intrinsic message.The Orthodox Church and its long history of Byzantine iconography have preserved a visual language used to represent the divine, as well as to help teach us about the faith. Standing before an icon provokes us to be still and enter the quiet peace that comes with surrender. When we witness the faces of women with their trance-like stares, we journey into a deep silence - a meditative silence - that allows us to contemplate and experience our thoughts. These women are witnesses to the divine as we are witnesses. However, to see more women in iconography will require new attention to the imagined greatness that the female psyche has to offer. Discover the divine beauty of women through Miller's exquisite iconographic collection of artwork in "Women in Iconography". Her depictions blend elegance with new iconography based on history, consisting of 42 icons that visually commentate on women mentioned in the Bible and throughout Christian history.Miller's compositions capture the feminist voice in Scripture, which is sometimes absent in ancient tradition. These Byzantine-style icons reveal the beauty of our female presence and our intimate relationship with the divine nature of God. Her book exhausts the purpose and unique place for women to be honored in Church for ages to come. For those studying women in Iconography, Christianity, Art History, general Iconography, women's studies, and book clubs, Miller's thoughts and illustrations are a luxurious addition to your bookshelf. Be inspired by her visual commentary on women mentioned in the Bible and throughout Christian history, and experience the divine beauty of women in iconography in a new light.

The Stations of the Cross became a Christian devotional Prayer practice in the thirteenth century. This collection of image and text highlights new perspectives on an ancient meditation.Mary Jane Miller has expanded this prayer style and walking meditation for reflections on our lives today. She writes the text and painted the icon collection to be used metaphorically to journey with Jesus Christ from his trial to his entombment. The participants use the Stations of the Cross to meditate on the Christs journey with his final surrender and release. The story of Jesus Christ's final sufferings reveal themselves like a passion play as we walk with Him to Mount Calvary. Sacred Art is more than biblical story telling. They are a visual exercise in understanding injustice and strength seen from the point of the victim as well as the onlooker. These 15 Stations of the Cross were designed to help navigate through a prescribed set of messages and motif to understand better how we humans fit into Christ's message of love. Three times he meets the Women, three times he falls and is only helped once. He is stripped of his dignity yet is resurrected into light and loving energy. The hope is to understand the ritual practice, which is no longer limited to only church, but speaks of our human capacity to go beyond suffering.

Metal Embossing: Templates and Beginner Techniques for tooling metal foil pewter is an essential resource. Russian and Greek iconographers employ countless elaborate design styles in metal. Our How to Book is a collection of icon templates for those devoted to traditional fine craftsmanship. Beautifully embellished halos have been a Byzantine iconographical legacy and tradition for centuries. Craft and hobby lovers will enjoy this introduction to the art techniques employed in metal embossing. Create your own silver halos. The first section of the book discusses tools, supplies, and techniques. Tools and metal foil sheets are all you need to create beautiful designs. Each tool has its own character and purpose to help you press from the back to the front and flatten raised areas that get distorted. As you learn to refine the edges of your patterns, you will add a few more tools to accommodate increased skill. This book gives you a place to begin and inspires you to go further with practice. After describing the tools and supplies, I give you basic techniques, step-by-step, to teach yourself how to create borders and halos to embellish your icons. The process is simple and only requires investing hours of focused practice. After about ten hours of practice, you will begin to sense and feel the amount of pressure required to make fluid designs and textures. Experimenting will bring the best results and in no time you will be skilled enough to create beautiful work for embellishing your icons. Metal Embossing is known in Spanish as repujado. In French, they say repousse, they both mean to push. Metal embossing to make a riza or oklad, is an art form that has been around for centuries. Riza or oklad is a term used to describe the beautiful metal covers originally applied to icons so they could be protected and transported. Embossing metal imparts luster, and radiance, to an otherwise flat appearance, adding intriguing dimension, texture, and value. The artful practice of repousse and egg tempera has quietly endured for centuries. Lavish embellishments of silver, gold, and jewels to accent the beauty of icons was a common practice in Russia around the 18th century. This book is geared towards those of you in the iconography community interested in creating your own silver halos. The first section of the book discusses tools, supplies and techniques. Tools and metal foil sheets are all you need to create beautiful designs. Each tool has its own character and purpose to help you press from the back to the front and flatten raised areas that get distorted. As you learn to refine the edges of your patterns, you will add a few more tools to accommodate increased skill. This Metal Embossing How To book gives you a place to begin and inspires you to go further with practice. After describing the tools and supplies, I give you basic techniques, step-by-step, to teach yourself how to create borders and halos to embellish your icons. The process is simple, and only requires investing hours of focused practice. After about ten hours of practice, you will begin to sense and feel the amount of pressure required to make fluid designs and textures. Experimenting will bring the best results and in no time you will be skilled enough to create beautiful work for embellishing your icons

Ancient prayer traditions and contemplation have been passed from generation to generation and are still alive today. Recitations of love and reflection, alone or in a group are powerful, they nurture the soul, fuel the heart, and uplift the spirit. We focus a great deal on human needs, the sick, isolated, aged, imprisoned, and in peril. It may be prudent to add our devotion and respect for God's plan revealed on Earth. Our contemporary society does not allow us time to pause long enough to appreciate our delicate, at times imperceptible relationship to the natural order that surrounds us.A powerful sense of grace is revealed in this book as we gather for the sacramental petition, communal prayer, and a shift in our attitude toward Mother Earth. The Earth is listening, she sees our human dilemma, and she is calling us to pay attention. Mary Jane Miller has given words for us to cry out and reflect, in unison with gratitude, repentance, compassion, and guidance for the Earth's preservation.Mary Jane Miller believes that awareness and a change of heart will help us find the courage to open ourselves to deepening care for the planet. It may take some sacrifice on our part. As Christ said, "Where your heart is, there will be your treasure." If we learn to treasure the wonder of humanity, we will love the natural world that surrounds us. In Harmony with the concept, if we treasure the natural world, we will love humanity in all its magnificent diversity.In closing, Powerful Mother Earth, by your grace and intercessory power, take into your hands my confusion and fears. Holy Spirit expose my need for God and renew my soul with hope. Hear my plea for Creation. Keep me, guide me, protect me, oh safe refuge! You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by ignorance. In your hands, any situation can be resolved. The divine love and immense mercies that exist in your heart move through Creation. Build in me a temple of compassionate care for humanity and our How To Live In A World That Is Dying is 72 pages designed as a resource and guide, to focus the mind and heart on one another and Mother Earth as she speaks back to us. In an age of great fear and anxiety, the book is meant as a tool to help us slow down and reflect on how we have participated in the crisis we are in, our consumerism, our desire for more, and our total disregard for the earth that sustains our world.

Iconography and Meditation is an introduction to Icon Painting and their Secret Techniques revealed through the practice. This book reads as a step-by-step guide, for how to create your own icon. The 12-step sequence is a simplified road map for proceeding from vision to creation. Every step is accompanied by suggested meditations to focus the mind with more awareness on who we are painting. However, while easy to follow detailed instructions about technique and materials are provided, my main objective is to emphasize the mystical experience of the process itself.The painter or writer of an icon will come to better understand the two natures of Christ - flesh and spirit. The mystery is revealed in the process and meditation technique. St. Athanasius says: "Christ became man that man might become God." This simple statement has intrigued and confounded me my whole adult life. Eight words explain perfectly the relationship of flesh and spirit and how they are inextricably connected. When the icon painter paints an image of the divines invisible nature it is the same sort of relationship. Painting from the heart, leaving an imprint of our prayer.Mystical concepts are inspirational, and take a lifetime to fully grasp. I stumbled into icon painting with egg tempera and earth pigments. Discovering Organic Egg Tempera and its Secret Techniques inspired my desire to paint icons. For three decades I have experimented with different forms of prayer. Saints and theologians gave me a solid foundation for meditation; sitting for long periods of time in silence. The awareness of simplicity, of just breathing as a miraculous thing. The concept of ground stone and the inexhaustible dimension of mind made a strong impression upon me. Through meditation I found a new way to commune with the Spirit, and painting images with Mother Earth using egg tempera. If you can grasp the inter-relationship of flesh and spirit in any one aspect of your life, then it is possible to see it run like an electrical current through all of life.

Las Estaciones de la Cruz se convirtió en una práctica devocional Cristina en el siglo XIII. Usan el ritual metafóricamente para viajar con Él desde su juicio hasta su tumba. Los participantes están de pie ante réplicas para seguir a Jesucristo en sus últimos momentos de sufrimiento mientras caminaba hacia la Montaña del Calvario. El camino entre su condena en la corte y la crucificción final es conocida como Vía Dolorosa o Vía Crucis. En Jerusalén todavía es recorrido por devotos peregrinos actualmente.El Vía Crucis no representa el caminar de un hombre en un día histórico, sino el caminar de toda la humanidad. La idea no es convertirse en Cristo pero ganar conciencia de la condición humana y llegar a la conclusión: "Si Cristo lo hizo, yo también puedo".La condición humana ha cambiado un poco durante los últimos dos mil años. Todos todavía nos sentimos abandonados. Trabajadores migrantes, soldados, prisioneros, vícticas de discriminación racial y de violencia, los pobres y los que no tienen hogar, los dolientes y los enfermos mentales están entre quienes nos encontramos en el camino. Cuando enfocamos nuestra mente y nuestro corazón en El Camino, nos damos cuenta de que hay fuerza en su ejemplo, cualquiera que sean nuestras circunstancias.La Cuaresma comprende 40 días antes de Pascua, una época dedicada a la examinación profunda y la reflexión del "Yo". Desde los primeros días del cristianismo, los seguidores de Jesús contaron la historia de su pasión, muerte y resurrección. Los peregrinos que llegaron a Jerusalén estaban ansiosos por ver los lugares por los que Jesús caminó. Cuando el cristianismo se enraizó en todo el mundo, estos lugares sagrados resultaron muy lejos para viajar. Mi pequeña colección resalta las manos y los rostros de Jesús para enfatizar nuestra común condición humana. Las Estaciones exaltan el sufrimiento injusto, particularmente por aquellos que pelean en contra de la autoridad. Al final de la meditación, se hace claro que cada uno de nosotros es visto, tocado y crucificado por Cristo cada día.

Describes life on any Rancho in Mexico in the early 70's, situations familiar as well as amusing. Like Water for Chocolate, these twelve short stories of love unfold in the Mexican desert. As a young woman I was introduced to one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English. Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure in Mexico packed with anthropological moments that come to life. Whether getting water or getting married humans change little from one generation to the next. The love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering. The stories are written and formatted side by side for ease to learn Spanish or learn English. The translations are unique as a testament and educational. I have told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The love stories are meant to cross cultures and bring joy to anyone who is learning to bridge two worlds through the language of communication from Spanish into English.Twelve short stories unfold as Mary Jane discovers love in the desert for the first time. The Ranch by Mary Jane Miller describes Mexico in the early 70's, a time forgotten with behaviors and lifestyles left for the history books. She offers a glimpse through humorous events and activities you might find have found on any ranch around the country. There is no doubt that our human capacity for love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering.Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure packed with anthropological moments that come to life. " I was introduced to a lifestyle on a ranch outside San Miguel Allende and one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English ". Whether getting water or getting married humans have changed little from one generation to the next.The love story about an American in Mexico was written and formatted side by side for easy translation from Spanish to English. The translations reveal the subtle difference between cultures, and sometimes Miller's comical determination to be understood. Mary Jane has told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The stories cross cultures and educate anyone learning to bridge two worlds, a bi lingual account of an adventure in Mexico in 1974. The subject matter stimulates great conversation regardless of learning Spanish or studying English.

The Stations of the Cross became a Christian devotional practice in the thirteenth century. This collection of image and text highlights new perspectives on an ancient tradition. Miller has used the ritual metaphorically to journey with Jesus Christ from his trial to his entombment. The participants use Christian art to meditation on the Biblical story. The story of Jesus Christ's final sufferings reveal themselves like a passion play as we walk with Him to Mount Calvary. Sacred Art is more than biblical story telling. These 15 Stations of the Cross were designed to help navigate through a prescribed set of messages and motif to understand better how we humans fit into Christ's message of love. Three times he meets the Women, three times he falls and is only helped once, He is stripped of his dignity yet is resurrected into light and loving energy. The hope is to understand the ritual practice, which is no longer limited to only church, but speaks of our human capacity to go beyond suffering.

72 pages of egg tempera icon painting collection and commentary. An exploration of women in iconography and the absence of their voices in the church and icon image. Exquisitely painted icons are juxtaposed with text describing each of the images history, religious context and reflections about the world we live in today. This book is a must for any library, for those collectors of icons and those in authority who preserve this great tradition. Iconography has the potential the shape future theology through new liturgy and perspective for men and women everywhere. Mary Jane Miller's collection of new work is exquisite.

Mary Jane Miller discusses her Icon Painting technique, the history and meaning of icon painting. The How to book orients icon painters and examines why icons continue to be a spiritual tool. From a uniquely Western perspective, this step-by-step study of art and teaching of a practical course in Icon Painting technique. The religion and spirituality of this technique brings to life the sacred and beautiful art of egg tempera painting. Included are egg tempera recipe guides and patterns to work from. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced iconographers will all find new insights.With in-depth information, invaluable advice, and superb illustrations of each step, this is a most comprehensive guide to the philosophy and practice of icon painting. In addition, this Icon Painting technique book can be read as a step-by-step guide of how to create your own icon. The 12-step sequence put forth here is a guideline or road map for the process from vision to creation. However, while easy to follow detailed instructions about technique and materials are provided, my main objective is to emphasize the mystical experience of the process itself, bringing the the Icon Painting technique to a better understanding of the two natures of Christ - flesh and spirit.Details ; Looking at Icons Revealed, One Secret Prayer Method, Brief History of Iconography, Organic Egg Tempera, Icon of St Luke, Overview of How to Paint Icons, Wood, Linen, Gesso and Gold, First lines, Chaos of Color, Second lines, Highlights and Veils, Final Lines, Analysis of Icon Images, Mixing Paint for Lettering, Prayers for an IconographerEgg Temepra and Earth Pigments 41Rules for the Iconographer 42Conclusion

Life in Christ ~ Knowledge of God made visible in Jesus the Man is a 110-page book that incorporates 30 full-color plates of my paintings, a collection of contemporary iconography inspired by classic Byzantine style iconography, painted using traditional egg tempera technique. It is an old-world painting process of mixing egg yolk and ancient earth pigments.The practice of iconography is a visual language about God that comes alive in color and texture through practice, patience, and prayer. My dedication to this ancient tradition over the past three decades has inspired me to write, to explain, and to communicate my love of God. The narrative icons and written words are juxtaposed to highlight history, its religious context, and my own inspired reflections.The book contains three sections. Part 1, the Life of Jesus: his beginnings 2, Signs and Wonders: his miraculous events witnessed by his disciples, Part 3, Christ who is spiritually present and emotionally tangible.Church doctrines change slowly. Mostly, those with no title or schooling leave them unchallenged. But because of newly discovered texts, human creativity, and liberal artists like myself, the contemporary phrasing of old theology is contributing to re-examining who we are in God. There is a movement underway for changes in Christian ideology about women, art, psychology, and its interpretation inside the church and out. The book I have created, Life in Christ, Knowledge of God made visible in Jesus the Man is, I hope, an essential piece of this conversation.The text and imagery is a voice for yet unspoken insights and deeper discernment about what it means to live a spiritual existence. It is my great hope that the fascinating tradition inherent in icons and the unique techniques involved in egg tempera and earth pigments will speak to you and draw you into their ancient noesis.

Our journal/coloring book is an interfaith workbook for children and adults alike which explores interfaith peace between religions - Buddhism, Christianity, the Mayans etc.Experiment with gods and goddesses, to create your own reflections on ecumenicism, multi-culture and pluralism. It becomes a visual journal, where you color the illustrations as well as write the text. One Mind, One World is a pathway to peace, rejoicing in our Diversity through interfaith Dialogue. As a guide, the Workbook h Ambassadors for interfaith gives information so you can explore faiths practices around the world.This coloring book contains line drawing of the paintings from The Dialogue Installation for peace and represents a sampling of the holy, the mystical, the miraculous, and the forever impossible-possible, ideas from civilizations. Interfaith and peace education curriculum's might one day be required in every school at every level, as well as religious education and tolerance programs in every temple, ashram, church and mosque world-wide.New age spirituality and ancient wisdom work together in this collection, aiming at highlighting the human search for divinity and the diversity we have shared. Looking over the images, noticing their purpose and historical dates hopefully will encourage some curiosity, to know more and understand what part of the archetypes live in you.Our consciousness is changing. Are we willing to allow Jesus and the philosopher Lao Tzu, to be positioned beside the Mayan corn God and Buddha beside Mohammad? Use the Journal space to record what you "hear" and "receive" from coloring the images. In the process, recognize commonalities and your response. Ask questions and write as if the "answers" given becomes your memoir

This coloring book is a collection of templates ideal for Iconography. Line drawings can be transferred and enlarged. Experiment with markers, watercolors, crayons, pencils or pastels to create your own iconographic art. Each coloring book image illustrated in the Byzantine style iconography has a small message and ample area for text. If used as a journal, you would write your own insights and thoughts. It becomes a visual journal, where you color the illustrations from ancient iconography.The images are classic; Virgin Mary, Jesus, principle Saints and angels. They are drawn in a variety of styles. At the end you will have a collection of your own.Ancient Image, Sacred Lines offers a coloring book format for church schools and parishioners. The book is a new resource of historical spiritual imagery. The coloring book can serve as graphics for christian clip art, church bulletins, inspirational christian images, Sunday school projects and/or as a person journal and workbook.This Byzantine icon collection of illustrations is offered as a unique and interesting idea, maybe a great gift for those in the hospital. The book has been designed to support and spiritually assist those during their physical stay in the hospital or any timely crisis as it unfolds. It encourages documenting your short memoir, where you color the illustrations as well as write the text. Peak transitions in our lives are often left as a clear memory with no evidence.Mary Jane Miller is a self-taught icon painter with over 25 years of experience. The work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and churches in both the United States and Mexico. She is the author of seven self-published books including Icon Painting Revealed and The Mary Collection. Published online and in publications such as Divine Temple Russian Orthodox Journal and Faith and Forum Magazine. Each year she shares her knowledge and experience by teaching intensive courses and 5 day workshops. Check out her blog for more info and perspectives website: www.sanmiguelicons.com.