I learn to paint from Bishop Gerald Beaumont who runs an Ikon painting (note: not writing in our context!) class. We use acrylic paints and it is really fun. I discovered that there is no such thing call "mistakes", I can change my mind anytime, just paint over it and start again, I can move the painting if I am not happy with what I had painted on it, etc... So, it is really something very special. It is a journey to self understanding and self discovery.

If you want to join in, just turn up on any Thursday afternoon at 1-ish. All materials needed will be available for you to start. No experience nor knowledge is required, but a desire to do something is needed. Here is the church address: St John's Anglican Church, 552 Burke Road, Camberwell 3124. For enquiries, call Bishop Gerald at (+61) 03 9882 4851.

[Portrait]
Ikon Op. 1 Coptic Angel
This is the first Ikon I ever painted.

[Portrait]
Ikon Op. 2 Archangel Gabriel
I finished this one at the time when Fr Geoff Terry was leaving his parish. I gave it to him as a gift on his retirement in April 2007

[Portrait]
My desktop, Canal du Midi, painted in late 2007, and transferred from a photo taken on my bicycle in autumn 2001. The photo had been sitting on my piano for several years. I always wanted to commission somebody to properly paint it for me. One year after I joined Gerald's Ikon painting class, I discovered that although I am not really a painter, I don't need to wait until the perfect painter turns up. I can go on the adventure myself and just have fun on my desk. The actual size of the painting is 45cm x 75cm. I changed a few little things and ignored some unidentifiable details on the photo.

[Portrait]
At the moment, I am nearly finished with this Ikon Op. 3.

This photo is taken by my mobile phone camera, the resolution is not very high, and it may look a bit blur. When I finished it, I'll use the proper camera to photo it again.

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