Fifteen years ago, I had a near death experience. Until that time, I had been a practicing nurse for many years, but had never practiced any religion – although I have always, since childhood, had an innate belief in God.

The experience of nearly dying left me with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my life and a desire to ‘offer’ it to God, who it seemed to me, was the reason I was alive at all. This set in motion an amazing adventure that continues to this day, and a relationship with this incredible God which never fails to surprise, delight, crush, mystify and teach me.

I began to take drawing and classical painting lessons and I began to attend daily Mass at about the same time. Both provided an atmosphere which fostered an opening to an inner life that I never knew existed. My paintings transitioned from still life and landscape to entirely religious in genre. I began to be acutely aware that the daily readings I was hearing at the church reflected, answered, or posed the exact themes and questions I was encountering within myself. I did not know it at the time, but I was in fact, discovering the Icon – the image of Christ, within the liturgical life of the Church, and within myself.

It was not long until I discovered the written icon as well. I began attending a Ukrainian church which was filled with icons. I prayed there everyday. These peaceful and silent images surrounded me with a beauty and holiness that I had never experienced before. During the months I spent alone with those icons, I underwent a deep and profound healing and transformation. I became more myself and, at the same time, a completely different person.

I knew God had given me a lifetime friend in the icon. I began studying their history, meaning, composition and symbolism in workshops and books – always staying grounded in the Liturgy and personal prayer, where I continued to encounter the Icon as revealed in Tradition and lived in my experience. I remained immersed in this quiet life of study, prayer, worship and painting for about 7 years.

Then, through rather interesting and unforeseen circumstances, my husband and I found ourselves moving to Taos, New Mexico. I opened what I intended to be a small icon studio in the front of our home in Taos. I began to meet artists who worked in the longstanding and vibrant tradition of Spanish Colonial art and welcomed some of this art into our little gallery. As time went on, I met other artists – painters, carvers and sculptors, all using images, symbols and themes of the Christian heritage in both traditional and also some very nontraditional and innovative interpretations.

I was impressed and inspired by these contemporary artists. Even though we ended up closing the gallery and moving from Taos, I am so grateful for the people I met and the art I experienced while there. I realized that it is very possible to honor and respect history and tradition, while continuing to tell the Story as it lives and reveals itself in the culture and experience of our time.

I now live in a beautiful spot, with the best studio I’ve ever had. I have time to walk, read, pray, worship in a wonderful community and paint the icons that I love so much. The images I paint reflect the life of Christ as encountered both in the liturgical life of the Church and in my own life. The practice of iconography is for me, the place where I strive to unite the movement of my hand to create beauty, with the desire of my heart to glorify God - from whom each breath is a gift, while dwelling in the consciousness of His Gracious Presence.

Thank You

JHS - Jesus Humanidad Salvadore