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The parish commissioned a surprise icon from me to give to Monsignor Lambert Joseph Luna in honor of his 40th Anniversary of Ordination to the priesthood on June 24; which we will celebrate Friday June 22. I chose to do a retablo instead. Retablos are the traditional religious art form of New Mexico. Female painters are called Santeras and male painters are Santeros. This art is hundreds of years old, and these beautiful and holy retablos grace all the older churches in New Mexico, as well as the newer churches since this art is still very much alive. My friend Roberto Lavadie carved the frame. I painted the drawing I mentioned above from 1987, and added the Child’s cradle, some boards, and an aqua blue table with a royal blue border to bring Mary’s presence into the image.

Artist Statement on Iconography �There is only Christ: He is everything and He is in everything." St. Paul, Colossians 3:11 I honor and revere the Byzantine icons and the profound spirituality of the Othodox churches. I try to bring true devotion and prayer into the process of writing an icon, dependent upon the inspiration of the Blessed Trinity, the saints, holy ones, and the Mother of God. As a Roman Catholic iconographer, I have no intention of assuming to be Orthodox, but continue to pray with many others, for unity brought about by the Spirit, amongst the churches. 2014 is my 24th year as an Iconographer and I am very grateful for the tremendous support from around the World. The great bulk of Icons are commissions from...