“Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.”
Locusts & Honey
The name Locusts & Honey is inspired by St John the Baptist, also known as John the Forerunner. John prepared the way for Christ, baptised Jesus in the Jordan, and lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, where he ate locusts and wild honey.
My journey into iconography began unexpectedly. A family friend, who is also priest, introduced me to the saving mystery expressed within the resurrection icon. I was captivated by its depth and began researching orthodox iconography, initially out of curiosity, but soon finding myself drawn deeper into its theology, history and visual language.
Shortly afterwards, I experienced a profound conversion that reignited my Christian faith. I began to realise that my art could have another purpose — one that I had not previously considered.
Although contemporary iconography works from established prototypes, iconography is not simply craft or copying. It is a living tradition, rooted in the theology, prayer and artistic heritage of the Church. The iconographer receives and studies this tradition while seeking to serve it faithfully through their own work.
A little about me
Jason (Paul Maximus) Gregory.
I am an Orthodox Christian and trained artist, holding a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and a Master of Fine Art (MFA), together with postgraduate studies. I have also studied painting at the Cyprus College of Art.
I make both contemporary art and iconography; the latter has required a fundamentally different approach to my process. To facilitate this I have undertaken courses with renowned iconographers Aidan Hart & Peter Murphy, learning through sustained practice, research and study.
My aim is to create paintings that are useful, beautiful and transformative - work that is faithful to the tradition while speaking meaningfully to those who encounter it.