A luminous spirituality radiates from the iconography of Matthew D. Garrett. He paints icons of traditional subjects according to the ancient prototypes, but honors them by revitalizing their depth of meaning. He suggests the many implications of each subject, so that it seems one is truly seeing them freshly and understanding their significance more deeply. Moreover, the style of the icons often manages to reveal to the beholder a dimension of spiritual reality not directly emphasized by the more remote and austere conventions of iconography, but which is nevertheless implicit in them. This dimension, discerned and depicted so successfully by Garrett, is nothing less than the fundamental mystery of divine love permeating the universe. This is true with even the most difficult subjects, such as the suffering and passion of Christ. Without being in any way sentimental, or minimizing the numinous quality of divinity, the awesome and infinite love of Christ is conveyed through His humanity by dignified expressions of exquisite tenderness, perhaps modeled on the spiritual kiss which seems to be bestowed on the viewer by Rublev's famous icon of the Redeemer.
Events depicted in festal icons vibrate with cosmic energy and significance. In The Transfiguration, for instance, the pulsating light surrounding Christ, through some optical technique, actually seems to reach out and extend to the viewer, who becomes a witness of the event, and somehow participates in the experience itself. This experience of extended light may also remind a viewer of the indwelling presence of God, which renders him or her a living icon.
Icons of the saints reflect God's own love, which pervades the figures through the beauty of exquisite lines, dazzling colors, and refined details--and embraces the viewer as well.
The icons of Matthew Garrett first attract one by the extraordinary quality of the painting. They are awesome and powerful, and invite the viewer to contemplate the holy mysteries they depict. The spiritual reality behind the icon penetrates the observer, and in response the amazed viewer can begin to approach, and reverently enter, the realm of spirit-bearing matter, and the mystery of God's incarnation.
--Allen A. Pluth, Ph.D.
"MAGNIFICENT" -- Tanya and Wayne Lazzari
"Thank you so much for a beautiful icon" -- Mike Hanna
"We love it. Can't wait to present Benjamin with Patriarch Benjamin" -- Scott Cairns
"Received the beautiful icon of Our Blessed Lady safely; it is gorgeous. I love it and thank you so much." -- Kevin Robson
"I just wanted to thank you again for the icon. It is absolutely gorgeous!!" -- Lisa Fares
"The Icons are beautiful! Thank you. I appreciate the hand delivery. How proud your parents must be of you!" -- Thelma Dacales
"The icon is just outstanding! To think that the young lad we lived with... is now bringing theology to life in his icon writing is rather surprising, but very much a joy to see. May God bless uou in your ministry. Continue to bring joy to those who behold your work Matthew. God has indeed blessed you with a most worthwhile gift and we intend to put it to use" -- Fr. Peter Smith
"Thank you very much for the beautiful icon!" -- Eleana Silk
