…. undergo a pretty drastic reorientation. I have signed up to attend a course on ikon painting at the beginning of June. As far as I understand it this is going to involve acquaintance with a new medium and a very different approach to subject-matter. Ikons are not completely new to me (indeed, I have one on the wall of my studio, and a reproduction of another over the desk where the computer sits) nevertheless, I know enough about the discipline to appreciate the fact that in many respects I will be starting a journey that involves novelty in almost every respect. The most suitable thing for me to do, I believe, is to read a little about the process, and about the cultural and theological context.
The Orthodox traditions have interested me intermittently for a long time now, in fact, every since I began my professional involvement in the Balkans as far back as the late ‘sixties. I am curious as to where this new line of enquiry might lead. No doubt you will hear about it in due course.