First Highlight, part 1

I've now moved on to highlighting. Since we are having fantastic gusts of wind today, I thought it only appropriate to start with the angel representing the Holy Spirit, the breathe.

 The first highlight represents the cosmos ("cosmic highlight"), and the "light of nature", separating from the dark.                                                                                             
This was magnificently illustrated to me, as I tried to find the right folds in the clothing. Where are the shadows hiding? Where is the light coming from? And yet, still keeping in mind, there is more to come. Now, there are obvious parallels in those questions alone. But, I found myself meditating on God's rest demonstrated here and in all other icons. Icons are not to show action, but a moment at rest. Part of the reasoning for this is the intended use of the icon once written. Icons are tools used for meditation and prayer.

What do you think of when you envision mediation and prayer?
A soccer game? A race car? Nope, me neither.

Meditation and prayer are encountered in stillness, in listening, as much (or more) as in speaking.



p.s.- I'd also like to point out the beginnings of the building up of not only color, but texture! See below!