Icon Writing with Katarzyna Piasecka: Discovering Harmony in the Chaos of Modern Life

Katarzyna Piasecka’s workshops on icon writing attract participants of all ages and backgrounds—youth, teachers, various professionals, retirees, and members of the University of the Third Age. Some seek peace, while others hope to find spiritual harmony. In a spacious workshop filled with the scent of paints and wooden panels, everyone has the opportunity to create something extraordinary.

“An icon is more than a work of art,” emphasizes Piasecka, who teaches at the Magdalena Abakanowicz University of the Arts in Poznan (Poland), during an interview with Family News Service. “It is a prayer in colors, a form of dialogue between the creator and the unseen.”

Spirituality encapsulated in art

The workshops begin with theory: what an icon is, the meaning behind its colors, and the special role of gilding in this art form. Participants then move on to practice—from preparing wooden panels to layering pigments. Every step is imbued with symbolism, from using traditional, closely guarded material recipes to selecting colors and meticulously replicating classical designs.

“An icon teaches patience and humility; it cannot be created in haste,” Katarzyna explains. “Every line has its place, and every color tells a story.”

For many participants, regardless of their religious beliefs, icon writing becomes a spiritual experience. “You don’t have to be deeply devout to feel the unique peace that comes from creating an icon. But often, during the process, reflections emerge that go beyond the everyday,” Katarzyna adds.

Icons in the modern world

Although traditionally associated with religion, Katarzyna highlights the universality of icons. Her works are found in private collections as well as meditation and contemplation spaces.

“An icon is like a window—it leads us to another dimension, but everyone can view it in their own way.”

Her workshops draw people from diverse backgrounds, from those who see icon writing as an art form to those seeking deeper spiritual meaning. “Some come with no prior painting experience but leave with works that are truly beautiful. Most importantly, they leave calmer and with brighter smiles,” she says.

Finding a Calling

Katarzyna’s path to icon writing was far from straightforward. Trained as a Hispanist and initially working in education, she treated art as a hobby. Everything changed after she attended a workshop by chance.

“I had no idea something could move me so deeply. Icons filled a void I had subconsciously felt but hadn’t been able to articulate before.”

From that moment, she delved into the technical and spiritual aspects of iconography. For Katarzyna, icon writing became a fusion of art, contemplation, and dialogue with God.

“Every icon is not just an image but a testimony to faith and tradition. The process teaches attentiveness and humility before something greater than ourselves.”

Bridging Tradition and Modernity

Katarzyna’s works reflect a respect for canonical patterns but also seek to engage in dialogue with the modern world.

“For me, icon writing is a bridge between the past and the present. In an era of technology and constant haste, it reminds us of the timeless need for quiet and contemplation.”

While her workshops welcome people of all backgrounds, Katarzyna observes that creating icons naturally inspires reflection on spirituality.

“An icon invites silence, where we can find answers to questions that we rarely dare to ask.”

Beauty Accessible to All

In Katarzyna’s workshop, tradition meets modernity, and the art of icon writing becomes accessible to everyone—regardless of age, experience, or spiritual perspective.

“An icon is a work that has a soul. Everyone who enters this world leaves something of themselves in it but takes away something far more valuable—a moment of pause and focus on what truly matters.”

This unique combination of history, art, and spirituality makes Katarzyna’s work exceptional. In her hands, icons become not just windows to the past but mirrors where everyone can discover a piece of themselves.