RESOURCES

Coloring Book for Women, Religious Art and Iconography.
Many of the 65 illustrations are sacred lines handed down from generation to generation, others are free-form and new in the age of change. Seventy-two contemporary designs and images highlight saintly women who have been in the organized church for centuries. CONTEMPLATIVE ARTISTS and saintly women are honored in this collection of iconography templates, designed as a tool for establishing more female presence in art and religion. Grace comes when we least expect it, so while looking at each line, remember you are part of a long history of female saints and Christian mystics. There is a growing interest in Orthodox iconography around the world, attracting women’s spirituality and methods for meditation. 
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Iconography is a Visual Language.
Contemplative artists may find the reference book, A to Z Visual Language, useful for creating new works. We are encouraged to explore the symbolism and meanings in religious art. Ancient art speaks to the spirit; images are not political but experiential. Sacred art invites the soul to see and question a shift in understanding. After reading through the book Iconography as a Visual Language, you will find that the next time you visit a museum, you’ll feel comfortable questioning your thoughts and conclusions while viewing sacred art. You will gain a newfound freedom to imagine who created that image and why. Learning how art serves as a visual language will help inspire those who view your work with wonder and awe.
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Embossing Metal.
This book is geared towards those of you in the contemplative artist community who are interested in creating silver embellishments to add to your work. The first section of the book discusses tools, supplies, and techniques. Tools and metal foil sheets are all you need to create beautiful designs. Each tool has its character and purpose to help you press from the back to the front and flatten raised areas that get distorted. As you learn to refine the edges of your patterns, you will add a few more tools to accommodate increased skill. This book gives you a place to begin and inspires you to go further with practice. The process is simple and only requires investing hours of focused practice. After about ten hours of practice, you will begin to sense and feel the amount of pressure required to make fluid designs and texture. 
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