Page 138 - maxim art monograph

My Foundations Are in the Mountains
(Elder Vasileios of Iveron in Sedona, Arizona, 2012), acrylic on canvas, 2022
The landscape surrounding the ascetic has two fea- tures: a) As a cloud are transparent skins of the family of blue colors. b) The rocky shores stand correctly in the solid geomemtry of the landscape and in correct color complementarity to the cold clouds. It is com- pleted by the stepped orange rocky complex to the monk’s right. It is a wise formation of background, where the high clouds and the vastness of the sea hori- zon give spiritual greatness to the silhouette of the El- der as if it exists regardless of gravity and other natu- ral laws.
Through such a well-designed environment, the abso- lute value of the image is projected—the face. It seems to have come out of the hands of the illustrator very easily and simply, although it transparently expresses deep existential concerns. The skin of the face, despite some wrinkles, is calm and smooth, expressing the mental kindness of Fr. Vassilios of Iveron.
But his two eyes express a sacred adolescence, the endless in-depth exploration of the meaning of this in- finite beauty of the landscape for the meaning of the world, for the future of the world. It is as if he is telling us: “Give me all the worlds, bring me all the graces of nature, my soul thirsts for the One! The Divine Love of Christ!” It is indeed a portrait of a real monk, who is chosen by nature, but longs for the Kingdom of heaven. I cannot understand how the painter Maxim managed to show us this, but I get this meaning from this paint- ing. It is essential. The expression of the eyes of this kind person, who does not scream but concerns us with the genuine solitary reflection on the divine de- sire for the “beautiful call” and his eternal Kingdom. Some of our works are graced by God with a special blessing.— Stamatis Skliris
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