Author: paraskeve@gmail.com

Upcoming Iconography Course

 

Next Up: Intensive Iconography Course Retreat
 
CLASS CLOSES WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7, 2026
 
Please contact me soon if you want to be part of this class. Our focus will be on Saint John Climacus–a most beloved saint.
“Do not be surprised that you fall every day; do not give up, but stand your ground courageously. And assuredly, the angel who guards you will honor your patience.” ~ John Climacus (St. John of the Ladder)

When: October 16 (Friday), 17 (Saturday), and 24 (Saturday), 2026. 10am to 4pm every day.
Followed by Vespers on Saturday (with confessions) at 6pm and the church service on Sunday at 10am. No class that day.
Where: St. Annas Orthodox Church in Louisa VA. The church is at 4642 East Old Mountain Road, Louisa. Visit Saint Anna’s website for directions and services.
Cost: $400.00, with a deposit of $100.00 to hold your spot.  Seating is limited.

Each class builds on the next, but there will be make-ups available for the last day at the Kalvesmaki’s home in Madison VA.  Arrange a time with Colette (Paraskeve) at the class.

St. John Climacus wrote the Ladder of Divine Ascent (quoted above), which is read in our monasteries every Lent, but is a great read any time of year. He was writing to monks so you may need to adapt his advice for your daily life, if you read him, and I recommend you do!

We will work on a prepared clay board in egg tempera. The drawing may vary a bit from the one depicted above, because I want to put a ladder in there…maybe in the title?  No gilding for this course. You will need to bring a lunch for all days as restaurants are a bit far and we have a lot to do.

To sign up tap the buttons below.

$100 deposit:

$400 full payment:

Pigments, boards, brushes, rulers, pencils, erasers, lights, palettes, wash jars, etc. . .  will be supplied for students to use, but you are welcome to bring whatever supplies you prefer from home. Its suggested you wear clothes to get paint on or an apron. If you have icons you wish to varnish, bring them and we will varnish them while we conduct the class.

Hope you can join us.

 

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SpringHavenShop@Etsy

Homestead living at Spring Haven Farm Culpeper, Virginia

https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpringHavenShop

New at Spring Hill Farm

June 2024

Fresh Rabbit Meat…..our fryers are between 2-3 lbs….born and raised on the farm….$10.00/lb

We make our own tinctures, teas and salves

Plantain Drawing Salve……great for drawing out venom from bug bites, infections, even draws splinters out too.

Goat Milk Soap…..Honey, Goat Milk and Oatmeal…..great for sensitive skin….$6/bar or 3 for $15

Elderberry Tincture….boost the immune system, each 2 oz bottle contains over 950 drops,

Take 10-20 drops per day in flu season.  2 oz goes a long way.  $20

Valerian Tincture….won’t make you drowsy, made with glycerin so it is

Also good for dogs, cats or goats!  Soothing calm to help sleep and calm a racing mind

Also helps with pms and hot flashes.  Human dosage 10-20 drops once or twice a day.

Dogs and cats (dogs have been given it before a show so they

Won’t be distracted by the crowds, but the dogs are still alert

…1 drop per 10 lbs of body weight. 2oz  $20

Get ready for cicada season, bats will eat them all up!!!  

Copperhead snakes love cicadas. Get rid of cicadas so your home is not overrun with snakes

It’s recommended you get several bat houses around your property. Each one of these houses will house 50 bats— the sooner you put them up the sooner the bats will find them and start them.   Place your orders now. Singles house 50 bats. $65 plus $22 shipping. Double $95 plus $22 shipping

Order them now and pick them up on Saturday or have them shipped

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Private Lessons

For those who are interested in private lessons, I usually teach 1 hour a week or every other week at my home.  All supplies are included accept the board which is $12 (Students will slowly buy their own supplies).

After a few icons the student will learn to make their own boards and can bring in a piece of 9 x 12” wood at that time.  All the other supplies I will supply.  Lessons are $40 an hour.

There will be both drawing and painting in the lessons for the first year as well as homework.  Everyone is asked to buy a 11 x 14” mixed medium sketchbook to bring to class and take home.

There is also a reading list which will be added to as the books are read and discussed.

After the student can paint longer on their own they can have longer lessons, most ask for 2 hour lessons. Usually takes about a year.

I’ll start to offer ‘Open Saturdays’ now and again as I build up more students.  That is where anyone who can paint on their own, but would like to paint for a stretch of time with me there, can come from 11 to 2pm. That is $ 10 an hour.

If you have any questions, please contact me;

Colette Kalvesmaki

Ph: 240 676 1350

Address: VA 22709

Web: www.byzarts.com

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Places to stay, things to do

Why not make a weekend of it?

Come for a class at Many Years Farm and explore the area after. 

  1. The Market at Grelen in Orange VA: Set on a 1000-acre tree nursery, The Market at Grelen features: A European-Style Home & Garden Shop, Farm-to-Table Cafe, Wedding & Event Venue, Hiking Trails, Pick-Your-Own Farm, and ​Virginia Beer, Cider & Wine.  https://www.themarketatgrelen.com/
  2. Antiquing through out the area.
  3. Liberty Mills Farm, https://www.libertymillsfarm.store/
  4. Christmas in Gordonsville VA (Dec 10th)
  5. Chicken Fest in Gordonsville (Oct 1st)
  6. Montpelier
  7. Barboursville Vineyards
  8. Bald Top Brewery
  9. Downtown Orange, Gordonsville, Ruckersville, Charlottesville, etc., . . .
  10. Barbecue Exchange, Gordonsville: https://www.bbqex.com/ (eating)
  11. spa at Inn at Willow Grove
  12. Visit or volunteer at a monastery-Queen of All Skete,10 minutes away from our farm.

 

Places to Stay

  1. Hill of Content B&B
  2. The Inn at Willow Grove
  3. Air B&B Woodbourne Estate, circa 1810- right by Bald Top Brewery in Madison VA. 10 minutes from our farm. 
  4. Graves Mountain Farm and Lodges www.gravesmountain.com, (540) 923 4231-has lots of places to stay.
  5. Bed and Breakfast Network: https://www.bedandbreakfastnetwork.com/virginia/madison/

 

 

Posted on by paraskeve@gmail.com