I invite you to think about how to make your work area a sacred space. Iconography is first and foremost a contemplative form of prayer, and creating a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere can help us become aware of God’s presence. Orthodox Christianity teaches that we pray with our whole bodies – not just with our minds, but with our senses – and that we were made to seek, create and drink in beauty. Beautiful spaces foster prayer.

Here are a few ideas:

• Have a workspace sufficiently clear to feel restful; it will get messier as we progress, tidy up at the end of class using it as a time to reflect

• Light a candle or have a vase of fresh flowers at your workspace

• Play music you find beautiful and peaceful softly in the background (remember it must be turned down when speaking on Zoom)

• Try to limit incidental background noise or other distractions

• Silence your cell phone

• Choose an intention for this workshop and turn it into a prayer, write it on a card and place it where you can see it; write your intention on your icon.

• Write out a verse or some other inspirational quote

• Release any expectation of yourself, let go of your inner critic.