About Arlene Tilghman, Iconographer Contact Arlene
Arlene is second generation American of 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.
In 1988, at the direction of her priest, 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. "Experience alone that no words can explain swelled in my soul when I stood 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. 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
You may conatct Arlene at arlenetilghman@comcast.net for further information regarding her work. Please take time to visit her website at: www.arlenesicons.com
Icons by Arlene
Tilghman-
St. Catherine
King David
Do Not Lament Me, O Mother
Prophet Elijah being fed by a raven
Feast of the Archangels
St. George
St. Gerasimus of the Jordan
St. Gregory the Theologian & St. John
Chrysostom
Guardian Angel
He Who Does Not Sleep
The
Healing of the Paralytic
St.
Juliana of Lazarevo
Archangel Michael
Archangel Michael (in Deisis)
Mother of God - Inexhaustible Treasure
Mother of God "Muromskaya"
Mother of God of Tenderness
Mother of God "Vatopedi"
Mother of God Whom the Prophets Foretold
The Holy Napkin
St. Nektarios
St. Nicholas
St. Olga
St. Panteleimon
St. Panteleimon (with scenes from his life)
St. Panteleimon
Resurrection Angel
St. Taisia
Theotokos "Kazan"
Wedding at Cana
The
Last Judgment: Matthew 25:34-40
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