Icons and Tutorials by Julia Hayes

Are you looking for a special icon for your prayer corner or a gift for a loved one?

A hand-painted icon is the perfect gift for weddings, baptisms, and other celebrations and will last for generations.

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Testimonials

We commissioned Julia to paint, or rather, “write”a rarely seen icon of Saints Justinian and Theodora, on whose feast day we were married. It proudly hangs in our living room as a reminder of our special day, and inspires our ongoing relationship with our elected patron saints. We absolutely love our icon! We chose Julia’s incredible talent for our icon as we adored her lighter colour palette and warm iconography style. Julia kept in touch about her progress and offered us a few colour options. We were so inspired that we even started her iconography classes online, and share her details with friends and family. Thank you, Julia

Elleni and Chris
I had a wonderful experience commissioning an icon from Julia. She kept in touch with me throughout the process. Her work is exceptional. The finished icon was breathtakingly beautiful and serene. I would highly recommend Julia.

Demitra Lynch, USA
We live in the United States, and we commissioned an icon of St. Eleni as a graduation gift for our daughter. Julia was very prompt and considerate throughout the whole process, taking into account our thoughts and considerations. The icon arrived in great shape. It looks very beautiful and it is a moving addition to our icon corner. We will eagerly order another icon from Julia when the need arises.

Natalie Tzobanaki, USA
Commissioning an Icon of Christ the Teacher has been a blessing, Glory to God. As an Orthodox inquirer hoping to become Catechumen, I commissioned the Icon to center me in my prayer life. When I received the Icon in the mail it was more beautiful and such a blessing to behold that I immediately put the icon in my Icon corner. One day by the will of God I aspire to write Icons as blessed as Julia Hayes.

Alan Nathanael Beuris, USA
" We are privileged to have two icons by Julia’s hand in our home: one of St. Euphrosynos in our kitchen and the other a family icon for one of our daughters in our prayer corner. The icons are beautiful, and our daughter frequently reaches out to touch her saint. The style is unique but traditional. Her icon is a blessing in our prayer corner and is a window to St. Vera, the child martyr."

B. Jackson, USA
Sometimes, when gazing upon an icon, one becomes aware that the iconographer must have had an exalted inner vision when painting the icon, that he/she saw something, the spiritual, light-filled beauty of the Saviour and his saints. That is what one hopes for in an icon, for it also means that the iconographer must have praying when he/she painted, for otherwise such an inner vision would not have been granted, and this in turn may inspire in the onlooker a desire to enter into that communion too. What more can one ask of the iconographer, than that he or she should inspire us to pray with faith and love, to seek the grace of God? If I may say so (for who am I to judge such things?), Julia’s icons do indeed show us this spiritual beauty we should all desire and they can inspire us in this way

Archimandrite Jacobus, South Africa
Julia Bridget Hayes executed two icons for me on request - St. Rupert (Robert) and, a few years later, St. John Cassian. Both are of supreme beauty. I also have her interpretation of St. Herman of Alaska which I purchased from her inventory. All three are clearly written by a hand that is inspired artistically and guided by a vibrant prayer life. Each evokes a vibrant sense of the divine presence and the holiness of the subject. She is in touch with their sorrow and their joy. She is not, as she will tell you, a copyist, but rather a stylist. Her icons are unique interpretations through which paint and wood bear witness to incarnational love. They are among my most cherished belongings and guide my prayers, speaking to me daily of the deep riches of the life in Christ. They reach out to me as I reach out to God.

Robert Beeson, USA
The icons written by Julia are truly treasures to be cherished for eternity. Their traditional and unique beauty are a wonder to the eye, a warmth to the heart, an aid to prayer, and a window into heaven. Certainly, each icon I have commissioned and received has been created with great care and prayer. Julia is prompt, dedicated, and careful to ensure that each icon is given careful attention and sent to the recipient in a timely manner. May God Bless Julia for her sacred work.

Bede Carpenter, USA
I live in the USA and ordered an icon of Saint Athanasios from Ikonographics. Both the process and the final product exceeded my expectations! Julia is both an excellent communicator and a very gifted artist whose love for this very special calling is quite obviously reflected in her work.

Katerina Quintero, USA

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About Me

Learn Byzantine Iconography

Are you interested in learning Byzantine Iconography? Join Julia Hayes and start your iconography journey from the foundations of understanding how the Byzantine Painting system works. Starting with drawing and progressing to painting with egg tempera.

Learn more

Testimonials

She is very good at explaining the process of creating an icon as well as how one should approach the artistic aspect of the process.

Michael Hardy
This course has been great. Julia Hayes really breaks down every element in an easy-to-understand way. I am feeling more confident in my own understanding and technique.

Adam Richards
I'm loving all of Julia's courses that I took so far. Her teaching is easy and understandable. I'm having much fun and getting better everyday

Ana Júlia
Loving these tutorials! Appropriately paced and well explained directions! Above expectations.

Elleni Baghos
She explains everything, even the small details well! Really a great teacher.

Heather Delahoussaye
Great! REAL art instruction! She goes into the structure and concepts instead of just telling you paint by numbers info. Love this course so far!

Jessica Woodhouse
It is wonderful and a great match for my needs. She gives history and theory as well as teaches the skills all in one shot. Easy to follow. Love it!

Virginia Schmidt
This is amazing, I’m an illustrator, I’ve study in design schools and this course is so good, I love how she explained why Byzantine art is the way it is. Very good teacher.

Maria Zepol
As a teacher I understand the meaning behind a quality education. And that comes best from a professional. Julia Hayes is one of those professionals. Her step by step tutorials and explanations coupled with personal feedback and critiques provide a superior and affordable online Education in iconography. It is a blessing to learn from her.

Cullen Johnson
Julia has been an inspiration in her diligent practice of training us in the art of producing icons. This intern has increased, not only my knowledge in the art of producing icons, but my knowledge of the faithful individuals that we render with these images. Thank you so much for your work and your faithfulness.

Rodney Warren