Books by Mary Jane Miller

Describes life on any Rancho in Mexico in the early 70's, situations familiar as well as amusing. Like Water for Chocolate, these twelve short stories of love unfold in the Mexican desert. As a young woman I was introduced to one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English. Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure in Mexico packed with anthropological moments that come to life. Whether getting water or getting married humans change little from one generation to the next. The love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering. The stories are written and formatted side by side for ease to learn Spanish or learn English. The translations are unique as a testament and educational. I have told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The love stories are meant to cross cultures and bring joy to anyone who is learning to bridge two worlds through the language of communication from Spanish into English.Twelve short stories unfold as Mary Jane discovers love in the desert for the first time. The Ranch by Mary Jane Miller describes Mexico in the early 70's, a time forgotten with behaviors and lifestyles left for the history books. She offers a glimpse through humorous events and activities you might find have found on any ranch around the country. There is no doubt that our human capacity for love of beauty, awe, and surprise is never out of date and always worth remembering.Young readers will find this bi-cultural adventure packed with anthropological moments that come to life. " I was introduced to a lifestyle on a ranch outside San Miguel Allende and one particular family when I spoke no Spanish and they spoke no English ". Whether getting water or getting married humans have changed little from one generation to the next.The love story about an American in Mexico was written and formatted side by side for easy translation from Spanish to English. The translations reveal the subtle difference between cultures, and sometimes Miller's comical determination to be understood. Mary Jane has told these crazy stories at parties and to strangers for forty years. The stories cross cultures and educate anyone learning to bridge two worlds, a bi lingual account of an adventure in Mexico in 1974. The subject matter stimulates great conversation regardless of learning Spanish or studying English.

The Stations of the Cross became a Christian devotional practice in the thirteenth century. This collection of image and text highlights new perspectives on an ancient tradition. Miller has used the ritual metaphorically to journey with Jesus Christ from his trial to his entombment. The participants use Christian art to meditation on the Biblical story. The story of Jesus Christ's final sufferings reveal themselves like a passion play as we walk with Him to Mount Calvary. Sacred Art is more than biblical story telling. These 15 Stations of the Cross were designed to help navigate through a prescribed set of messages and motif to understand better how we humans fit into Christ's message of love. Three times he meets the Women, three times he falls and is only helped once, He is stripped of his dignity yet is resurrected into light and loving energy. The hope is to understand the ritual practice, which is no longer limited to only church, but speaks of our human capacity to go beyond suffering.

72 pages of egg tempera icon painting collection and commentary. An exploration of women in iconography and the absence of their voices in the church and icon image. Exquisitely painted icons are juxtaposed with text describing each of the images history, religious context and reflections about the world we live in today. This book is a must for any library, for those collectors of icons and those in authority who preserve this great tradition. Iconography has the potential the shape future theology through new liturgy and perspective for men and women everywhere. Mary Jane Miller's collection of new work is exquisite.

Mary Jane Miller discusses her Icon Painting technique, the history and meaning of icon painting. The How to book orients icon painters and examines why icons continue to be a spiritual tool. From a uniquely Western perspective, this step-by-step study of art and teaching of a practical course in Icon Painting technique. The religion and spirituality of this technique brings to life the sacred and beautiful art of egg tempera painting. Included are egg tempera recipe guides and patterns to work from. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced iconographers will all find new insights.With in-depth information, invaluable advice, and superb illustrations of each step, this is a most comprehensive guide to the philosophy and practice of icon painting. In addition, this Icon Painting technique book can be read as a step-by-step guide of how to create your own icon. The 12-step sequence put forth here is a guideline or road map for the process from vision to creation. However, while easy to follow detailed instructions about technique and materials are provided, my main objective is to emphasize the mystical experience of the process itself, bringing the the Icon Painting technique to a better understanding of the two natures of Christ - flesh and spirit.Details ; Looking at Icons Revealed, One Secret Prayer Method, Brief History of Iconography, Organic Egg Tempera, Icon of St Luke, Overview of How to Paint Icons, Wood, Linen, Gesso and Gold, First lines, Chaos of Color, Second lines, Highlights and Veils, Final Lines, Analysis of Icon Images, Mixing Paint for Lettering, Prayers for an IconographerEgg Temepra and Earth Pigments 41Rules for the Iconographer 42Conclusion

Life in Christ ~ Knowledge of God made visible in Jesus the Man is a 110-page book that incorporates 30 full-color plates of my paintings, a collection of contemporary iconography inspired by classic Byzantine style iconography, painted using traditional egg tempera technique. It is an old-world painting process of mixing egg yolk and ancient earth pigments.The practice of iconography is a visual language about God that comes alive in color and texture through practice, patience, and prayer. My dedication to this ancient tradition over the past three decades has inspired me to write, to explain, and to communicate my love of God. The narrative icons and written words are juxtaposed to highlight history, its religious context, and my own inspired reflections.The book contains three sections. Part 1, the Life of Jesus: his beginnings 2, Signs and Wonders: his miraculous events witnessed by his disciples, Part 3, Christ who is spiritually present and emotionally tangible.Church doctrines change slowly. Mostly, those with no title or schooling leave them unchallenged. But because of newly discovered texts, human creativity, and liberal artists like myself, the contemporary phrasing of old theology is contributing to re-examining who we are in God. There is a movement underway for changes in Christian ideology about women, art, psychology, and its interpretation inside the church and out. The book I have created, Life in Christ, Knowledge of God made visible in Jesus the Man is, I hope, an essential piece of this conversation.The text and imagery is a voice for yet unspoken insights and deeper discernment about what it means to live a spiritual existence. It is my great hope that the fascinating tradition inherent in icons and the unique techniques involved in egg tempera and earth pigments will speak to you and draw you into their ancient noesis.

Our journal/coloring book is an interfaith workbook for children and adults alike which explores interfaith peace between religions - Buddhism, Christianity, the Mayans etc.Experiment with gods and goddesses, to create your own reflections on ecumenicism, multi-culture and pluralism. It becomes a visual journal, where you color the illustrations as well as write the text. One Mind, One World is a pathway to peace, rejoicing in our Diversity through interfaith Dialogue. As a guide, the Workbook h Ambassadors for interfaith gives information so you can explore faiths practices around the world.This coloring book contains line drawing of the paintings from The Dialogue Installation for peace and represents a sampling of the holy, the mystical, the miraculous, and the forever impossible-possible, ideas from civilizations. Interfaith and peace education curriculum's might one day be required in every school at every level, as well as religious education and tolerance programs in every temple, ashram, church and mosque world-wide.New age spirituality and ancient wisdom work together in this collection, aiming at highlighting the human search for divinity and the diversity we have shared. Looking over the images, noticing their purpose and historical dates hopefully will encourage some curiosity, to know more and understand what part of the archetypes live in you.Our consciousness is changing. Are we willing to allow Jesus and the philosopher Lao Tzu, to be positioned beside the Mayan corn God and Buddha beside Mohammad? Use the Journal space to record what you "hear" and "receive" from coloring the images. In the process, recognize commonalities and your response. Ask questions and write as if the "answers" given becomes your memoir

This coloring book is a collection of templates ideal for Iconography. Line drawings can be transferred and enlarged. Experiment with markers, watercolors, crayons, pencils or pastels to create your own iconographic art. Each coloring book image illustrated in the Byzantine style iconography has a small message and ample area for text. If used as a journal, you would write your own insights and thoughts. It becomes a visual journal, where you color the illustrations from ancient iconography.The images are classic; Virgin Mary, Jesus, principle Saints and angels. They are drawn in a variety of styles. At the end you will have a collection of your own.Ancient Image, Sacred Lines offers a coloring book format for church schools and parishioners. The book is a new resource of historical spiritual imagery. The coloring book can serve as graphics for christian clip art, church bulletins, inspirational christian images, Sunday school projects and/or as a person journal and workbook.This Byzantine icon collection of illustrations is offered as a unique and interesting idea, maybe a great gift for those in the hospital. The book has been designed to support and spiritually assist those during their physical stay in the hospital or any timely crisis as it unfolds. It encourages documenting your short memoir, where you color the illustrations as well as write the text. Peak transitions in our lives are often left as a clear memory with no evidence.Mary Jane Miller is a self-taught icon painter with over 25 years of experience. The work has been exhibited in galleries, museums and churches in both the United States and Mexico. She is the author of seven self-published books including Icon Painting Revealed and The Mary Collection. Published online and in publications such as Divine Temple Russian Orthodox Journal and Faith and Forum Magazine. Each year she shares her knowledge and experience by teaching intensive courses and 5 day workshops. Check out her blog for more info and perspectives website: www.sanmiguelicons.com.