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Arbor Vitae Iconography 


showcasing the work of English Iconographer Ian Knowles

 and of the Arbor Vitae Icon Academy

I have a life-long passion for icons, as 'thin spaces' where God comes close to us in the Person of Jesus Christ. As a professional iconographer I attempt to offer my very best in artistic skill for the worship of God through making fine pieces  Liturgical art, and as a teacher of iconography to make this wonderful art of the Church accessible to as wide a range of people as possible. All of this is, for me, a form of evangelisation, of making God known.


In this website you can find all sorts of information about icons, their history, their use in worship, their spiritual power. You can see icons I have painted and order one for yourself. You can discover how to paint icons for yourself, and join a worldwide community of students going deeper into the Mystery that icons present to us. Whether you seek to understand or to purchase or just explore the living world of iconography, I hope this site gives you an enriching and blessed experience. Enjoy!


Ian Knowles

The Arbor Vitae Podcast

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Recent commissions

The icon on the left is of the Archangel Raphael and will be the subject of the online Course in December. The icon on the right is a new compostion, 'Behold I make all things new', completed for a client in London.


Below, a Cross completed in September for a client in the UK beginning to create his own icon prayer corner.


If you would like to commission an icon for yourself, your church or for someone else, why not get in touch to discuss what you have in mind? Prices begin from around £400 for a small, simple icon. All painted in egg tempera and on a wooden panel.

The Academy is a home for anyone who loves Byzantine icons, especially those inspired with iconography as a vocation to make good liturgical art.


An international community drawn together through the Academy Course in Icon Painting, members meet for regular lectures, tutorials, to share their work and generally to encourage each other.


Members come from across the Christian community, and from as far apart as the USA, Australia and South Africa.

quotesArtboard 1 copy 2

Well Ian, I have been grateful for so many things over the last two and half years since starting the Academy course.


Thank you for


  • Your generosity in sharing of yourself as well as your teaching
  • for your no-nonsense and down to earth approach, which has afforded me the space to learn and develop by ‘having a go’ and then to keep going through supportive and robust critique of work.
  • the challenge of the ‘self-directed’ study that it has required at times 
  • above all, for your constant support in recognising how iconography might be a part my vocation and in the challenge of responding to that step by step.


Deo gratias!


Sr Rachel

    • The Academy is a home for anyone who loves Byzantine icons, especially those inspired with iconography as a vocation to make good liturgical art.


    An international community drawn together through the Academy Course in Icon Painting, members meet for regular lectures, tutorials, to share their work and generally to encourage each other.


    Members come from across the Christian community, and from as far apart as the USA, Australia and South Africa.

    Colossians 1:15:


    Jesus Christ


    “the Icon of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature”


    Members' Websites

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