The Unknown Iconographer

On Sunday, June 25th, 2023, I conducted this interview with "The Unknown Iconographer." The subject would only agree to be interviewed on the condition of anonymity, in keeping with the ancient iconographic tradition. The iconographer tells of his journey as an Okie who became a Christian and moved to Russia in the mid-1990's soon after the fall of the Soviet Union. He came to Russia to perform works of charity, such as feeding the hungry, but eventually was exposed to Orthodox Christianity and began to study iconography. He studied under two Master iconographers: Maxim Chrnychov in Moscow and Sergei Vershinin in Siberia. After being told that he had "the grace of a housepainter with the brush" and going through a year of obedience, he was finally allowed to pick up a brush and begin painting. He learned how to stop "copying" icons and rather began "composing" them. He was told to follow the path of the "silent liturgy" and the "music of color." He has now repatriated to the United States and continues to paint icons.