Orthodox Iconographer Joanna Ferencz

Personal History of Iconography Education
by Joanna Ferencz

I began my journey of Iconography Education back in 1993 when I attended a seminar at Mt. St. Macrina Monastery in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, given by Sister Dorothy Busowski on “Images of Holiness”. This seminar served as an inspiration and reinforcement of my great desire to be able to write the many Icons I have venerated for many years in the Orthodox faith, in which I was privileged to be born and raised.

With much encouragement from my husband, Fr. Nicholas Ferencz and our two children, Stacey and Duane George, I pursued the art of Iconography by first reading many of the traditional books written on Iconography. I investigated taking classes with Master Iconographer Philip Zimmerman in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and in March of 1994, I took my first class and have been learning to paint Icons ever since. I say learning because it is a never-ending learning experience and takes practice, practice, practice!

A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a tour group including Metropolitan Nicholas in 1995 was also a great inspiration for my zeal to write Icons. Visiting the many Holy sites where Our Lord Jesus Christ was born, lived, walked, taught, created miracles, died and rose from the dead, continues to live on in my mind’s eye, my senses, and my heart, and brings a “realness” to the scenes and Saints depicted in Icons. Besides the site of the Holy Sepulchre, (which is a phenomenal spiritual experience) going up to Mt. Tabor and seeing the site of where the Transfiguration of Our Lord occurred, is my second favorite experience of that pilgrimage and inspired me to write the Icon of the Transfiguration.

I have taken one Introductory Class, and three Advanced Classes under Master Iconographer Philip Zimmerman. I have been painting regularly since then and hope to continue to write Icons as long as the Lord wills. I feel this is one of the greatest blessings I have received in my lifetime and I hope my Icons bring a spiritual presence and peace to all who see or own them. Glory to God!

All Icons are done in acrylics, with 23K gold leaf.

Icons by Joanna Ferencz:
All Saints
St. Andrew
The Annunciation
Crucifixion
The Visitation
Seven Archangels
St. Catherine
Prophet Elias the being fed by a raven
St. Francis
St. George
Guardian Angel with a Girl & Boy
St. Luke Painting the First Icon
St. Mary Magdalene
Holy Myrrhbearers
Icon of Christ Not Made With Hands
Do Not Lament Me, O Mother
Archangel Michael (full standing)
Archangel Michael
St. Nicholas
St. John the Forerunner (with head in arm)
Mystical Supper
Resurrection
Old Testament Trinity
St. Tabitha
The Transfiguration
Virgin Mother of the Passion
Wedding Feast at Cana
St. Romanus the Melodist

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