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Welcome to my page!

I am Ekaterina Titova – an artist and an iconographer

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The Eastern Orthodox Church is well-known for respecting traditions. I believe that the contemporary religious art should follow the path. However, it must also be modern enough so that the tradition lives on. Perhaps the main objective of the modern-day religious art is to highlight the most important ideas present in each historical period. Come and discover Ekaterina Titova’s icons and you will find yourself immersed in the eastern orthodox tradition and it might take you to the next step on your spiritual journey.

The studio led by Ekaterina Titova produces the icons created using traditional techniques (Russian and Byzantine school). We use Tilia/Lindens boards, natural pigments (using egg -based emulsions), gilding and drying oils. This process ensures that the icons we crate will last for decades if not centuries. Our studio specialises in the following:

• Wedding pair
• Baptism (measured Icon) – traditionally an icon created for the baptism day of a baby measuring baby’s height in size
• Name’s day Icon
• Parish patron Icon

Any size from miniature to 2 square meters (or lager)
Style - Byzantine/Traditional Russian
Quality guaranteed
World-wide delivery

The artist

Ekaterina Titova belongs to the generation of contemporary artists that have gone through a challenging study process similar to what the apprentices had always gone through the centuries. An apprentice would slowly become master, studying theory and practice before developing their own style.

Ekaterina was born in Moscow in 1987. She has PHD in biology. Subsequently, Ekaterina has studied art in Russia, France and Italy and is a member of the International Federation of Artists (IFA). Ekaterina completed a course at Russian Orthodox Seminary in France (2016-2018) and taught church studies and art at the Sunday school in the Russian Cathedral in Nice (France).

Ekaterina started her journey as an artist and an iconographer in 2015 when father Nickolay Rebeider (the rector of the parish of the Church of the Three Hierarchs in Paris) gave his blessing for Ekaterina to start on this journey.

It is well-known that the Eastern-Orthodox icon-painting tradition has it’s roots established in history. However, there is still much discussion about style, philosophy, theology and tradition. These are the factors that encouraged Ekaterina as a young artist to seek her own style and interpretation of the icon. Since then Ekaterina has developed her unique style that would take you to a different world. One of the distinctive features of Ekaterina’s icons is her ability to convey the peacefulness and graciousness of the eternal world. Any observer would inevitably become a partaker in the spiritual and esthetical mystery.

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Technique

Techniques and timings

The timing of competing each icon depends on the size and the theme. It takes three months on average to complete an icon as it involves a technical skill as well as a spiritual effort (prayer, fasting etc…) Technically, the process starts with the board. After a board is created in a workshop it needs to “rest” for about two weeks. The next stage is for the board to be covered with gesso – taking 14-16 layers for each board. This takes another 2-3 weeks. Only after that the board makes it’s way to the workshop of an artist/iconographer.

Ekaterina works with the Linden boards using oak keys to make them stable. Ekaterina uses oil tempera made using natural pigments and egg emulsion. However, the very first step us gilding: highlighting the eternal light, frame, clothes’ folds and other details. The next step is to work on the facial features and hands. Ekaterina prefers to use natural pigments from Italy and France.

We only use natural linseed drying oil, light and transparent. It protects the icon for years, however, it takes some time to settle.

Therefor the process of creating an icon in this traditional way takes time. It is only possible to make the process quicker if there is a board of the desired size is ready at the workshop.

The cost consists of a few aspects:
The complicity of an image (eg one or more characters) The board size - it doesn’t mean necessarily that a small board means less expensive icon. A smaller size often means more effort, therefore prices are individual depending on requirements

Icons

There are number of traditional icons. They differ by the purpose and he main message. Each type relates to a certain time of life or a special occasion.
Measured Icon This is an icon that would usually be gifted to a child at his/hers baptism. The measurements of the icon would match the baby’s hight and width of their shoulders at 8 days old. The icon depicting baby’s patron Saint would be made. It was believed that if the length of the icon matched the hight of the baby, there would be a life-long connection between the baby and their patron Saint.
NAMED ICONS It is quite rare now that babies are given names according to the church calendar, however, every person has their patron Saint. This could easily be established using the date of birth and name of any Christian. Therefore, everyone could have an icon of their patron Saint. These could vary in shape and size from a small “pocket-size” travel icon to anything that would fit a private chapel.
Creed The first Creed as recorded in Matthew 28:19 says: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” The first World Council in Nicea (325) approved the first Orthodox Creed. Swereome amendments were made at the second Council in Constantinopel (381).
Family Icon This is an icon depicting all the patron saints of each family member. This is not just a part of family inheritance but rather a spiritual blessing connecting the generations.
Travel Icons These became popular among pilgrims who would not go away without an icon. Anyone going on a pilgrimage would like to have an icon with them that would remind them of home and help with the daily routine and prayers.
Centrepiece Icon The Icon that parishioners venerate when they enter the Church. These are usually represent the Saint/occasion commemorated on the day or a patron saint of the church or a particularly venerated image of the Virgin Mary.