St Hilda of Whitby Painting

Marchela Dimitrova, Byzantine Iconography: Commissions, Tuition & Exhibitions Marchela Dimitrova is Bulgarian, married to a Bulgarian Orthodox Priest. An artist from an early age, her interest in icons began in 1996. She studied for two years with a master and was then awarded the title of master-iconographer. She works in the traditional Byzantine style and her work appears in a great number of churches and monasteries - mainly orthodox but including Portestant and Catholic - around the world. She uses traditional Byzantine techniques painting in egg tempera and using 24 carat gold leaf. The roots of the icon do not lie in art, they lie in the spiritual realities at the heart of the Christian faith. Because every formal aspect of an icon has a spiritual significance the traditional rules must be stricly followed. Iconography is now rightly acclaimed as one of the significant art forms of the European spirit and, perhaps, the sole, pictorial form of sacred art in the Christian tradition. Marchela Dimitrova, Byzantine Iconography: Commissions, Tuition & Exhibitions Marchela works with traditional Byzantine techniques, painting in egg tempera. All of her pigments and materials are the best quality. She uses 24 Carat gold leaf. The haloes are always gilded. The panels are made from various kinds of wood including walnut, cherry, pine and lime, which are selected and prepared traditionally to the highest standards. They are often made with raised borders. The boards are primed with cloth and gesso. All icons are sealed, treated and varnished. Currently she is living and working in the UK.