​Disappearing species leave the Earth but they do not leave God, at least as holy icons. They are remembered for what they were in their beauty, wisdom, and vitality - in their holiness - in what Whitehead calls "the consequent nature of God." This does not change things for us or for them. They are still "gone" in some deep way. But it helps if someone renders them into holy icons so that we can remember them, too., along with God. The artist Angela Manno does that rendering; and Kathleen Reeves of the Cobb Institute offers a powerful reflection, a link to which you will find on this page.

Angela Manno: Self Introduction
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Angela Manno: Contemporary Icons of Threatened and Endangered Species from Angela Manno on Vimeo.

For much more, please see the essay in the Cobb Institute website: 


​Sacred Art: Icons in Nature
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By Kathleen Reeves   |  Nov. 15, 2022
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One need only look at a sunset to think of the earth as a canvas upon which the cosmos paints great masterpieces for our delight. Each sunset is unique as the sun is in constant motion. Each ecosystem has its palate of color and its style. A desert might be minimalist while a forest is full and detailed. Our natural world is in constant motion; it is constantly becoming as God’s creative possibilities are presented. Yet often these days the changes include loss of species. Nature is sacred but too few of us treat it as such.
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Why not read nature as sacred scripture? Why not paint its inhabitants as holy icons? Anglican minister John Newton said, “There is a signature of wisdom and power impressed on the works of God, which evidently distinguishes them from the feeble imitations of men. Not only the splendor of the sun, but the glimmering light of the glowworm, proclaims his glory.”

It should come as no surprise when I discovered artist Angela Manno who has been painting endangered species as religious icons. Iconography is the oldest tradition of Christian sacred art. In creating a new icon, our iconographer begins by searching collections of books on icons, gathering samples of icons of the new subject and other similar subjects, to find the traditional depiction. It's a meditative process and brings the artist close to the subject. 

After studying all the images and comparing the many symbols included in the images, the iconographer creates a pencil drawing called a sklion. Using graphite paper, the drawing is then transferred to a pre-prepared, gessoed board.  Lines are etched into the gesso using a needle embedded in a wood dowel stick.  In this way the lines of the figure will remain visible as the artist paints. The icon can be painted in canvas or wood depending on how the artist was taught. Traditionally one would paint on wood because egg tempera is used and is prone to cracking if it is not on a solid surface.

Icons are created as special tools for meditation. The iconographer has certain responsibilities since these images are made for this purpose. The iconographer should avoid adding sentimental qualities to the icon, to keep the beholder’s mind focused on prayer. All artistic decisions made by an icon painter should follow these requirements, since every image is intended to be a means of encountering the face of holiness. For me, nature is the perfect holy subject for sacred icon art. 

As we are losing species at a rapid rate, turning to sacred art seems a fitting way to recognize the holy in nature. Once we recognize that it is holy, how can we continue to destroy it? 

- Kathleen Reeves

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Artists Talk on Art’s 82 Virtual Open Studio
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Angela Manno Presentation for Artists Talk on Art from Angela Manno on Vimeo.

Angela Manno Website