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 OB: Where did you get your training to be an iconographer?
Brendan: I've actually been blessed with the opportunity to learn from or train under three different Iconographers. About five years ago I visited St. Anthony's monastery in Arizona, and had a life changing experience. I came home with a strong feeling that Iconography was my true calling in life. I knew almost nothing about painting, let alone painting Icons. I did have training in classical art and had been trying for years to break into the comic book industry as a penciler.
Amazingly enough, when I arrived home I was told that an Iconographer with many years of experience had just moved to the area and was going to be attending our Church. This turned out to be Gabriel Hayman, a master Iconographer. While he only ended up living in the area for less than a year, he dedicated a lot of his time to instructing both my and my younger sister Maria in the basics of Iconography.
After he moved, however, I eventually reached a point where I felt I couldn’t go on without more instruction. Saint Isaac of Syria Skete is located only 7 miles away from where I live, and having known Father Simeon since I was very little, I decided one day to see if they needed any help in their icon studio. Once again, I was at the right place at the right time. They had gotten a little behind with their orders at that point since only Fr Theodore (Berginsky) was painting full time, so they agreed to hire me on to assist him.
For the next year I was able to work closely with him on a daily basis. Later on, after I had been painting without assistance for some time, Father Simeon sent me and a fellow Iconographer to Michigan to train under Master Iconographer, Dmitri Andreyev.
   
Click the thumbnails above to see larger images of Brendan's work.
OB: What style of iconography do you work in, and how/why did you select it?
Brendan: While I started out painting in a more or less Greek style with acrylic, once I began working at the Skete I was taught how to paint in the classical Russian (Prosopon school) style using egg tempera. At this point, however, the style I paint in just depends on either who it is Im trying to depict or the Icon Im using as a prototype. I guess I am more comfortable painting Russian style at this point though, since that’s where I’ve had the most training.
OB: Do you say special prayers or meditate while you work on your icons?
Brendan: Before I begin, along with my morning prayers I say some prayers that were written specifically for Iconographers. Then throughout the day I say the Jesus prayer as much as I can. But I've come to realize over the years that at my age it's a little beyond me to maintain the prayer consistently throughout the day. That's not to say it would be beyond everyone my age. But for myself, I've found it's much more beneficial to focus on keeping a prayerful state of mind. By that I mean, not letting mind the mind wander, and attempting to ignore any negative or just worldly concerns that come into my mind.
OB: While working on an icon, have you ever felt the presence of the saint depicted?
Brendan: Yes, I have on a few occasions. Whenever I would be having a difficult time painting the face of a particular Saint, Fr. Simeon would tell me to just ask the Saint for help, as though they were in the same room with me. There were a number of times I did this, when I strongly felt the Saint guiding me.
It also has helped tremendously when I've been able to venerate the relics of a Saint while I was attempting to depict him.
OB: Do you write icons on commission?
Brendan: Yes I do. I can paint any already existing Icon of any Orthodox subject, Saint or feast day (as long as it is canonical). I also do whatever research necessary in order to paint an Icon where a prototype cannot be found.
OB: If people are interested in learning more about your work, how can they contact you?
Brendan: They can contact me directly by email (stjohnicons@gmail.com). My family and I also just recently launched a website for both our Church, and our Icon Studio. It's at: http://www.stjohnsiconstudio.com
OB: If you are a convert or a revert to Orthodoxy – what interested you in the Orthodox faith or drew you back?
Brendan: I'm actually technically 2nd generation Orthodox. My Parents converted to Orthodoxy when I was about 3 years old, and my father was ordained a priest a short time later, so I don't really remember a time not being Orthodox. While I've had plenty of ups and downs in life, the Church has always been my one constant source of consolation and inspiration no matter what I was going through.
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