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The Photograph

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 kjv
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Introduction:

My photo
Current: Danbury, CT, United States
Welcome! A few years ago, I discovered an application that artists employ in their works to bring cultural awareness to their audiences. Having discerned this semiotic theory that applies to literature, music, art, film, and the media, I have devoted the blog,Theory of Iconic Realism to explore this theory. The link to the publisher of my book is below. If you or your university would like a copy of this book for your library or if you would like to review it for a scholarly journal, please contact the Edwin Mellen Press at the link listed below. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Thank you for visiting. I hope you will find the information insightful. ~ Dr. Jeanne Iris

Announcements:

I have demonstrated or will demonstrate the application of this theory at the following locations:

2023-25: I am writing my third book on iconic realism.

April 2022: American Conference for Irish Studies, virtual event: (This paper did not discuss Sydney Owenson.) "It’s in the Air: James Joyce’s Demonstration of Cognitive Dissonance through Iconic Realism in His Novel, Ulysses"

October, 2021: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT: "Sydney Owenson’s use of sociolinguistics and iconic realism to defend marginalized communities in 19th century Ireland"

March, 2021: Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, North Carolina: "Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan): A Nineteenth Century Advocate for Positive Change through Creative Vision"

October, 2019: Elms College, Chicopee, Massachusetts: "A Declaration of Independence: Dissolving Sociolinguistic Borders in the Literature of Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan)"

12 February, 2025

Image of Jesus in My Maple Tree and Iconic Realism


I took this photo one gray, winter day. 
If you look at the very bottom center, you will also see a natural, etched cross. 

Each morning, as I sip my cup of coffee and look out my living room window, I am blessed with this image of Jesus, divinely etched in the trunk of a maple tree. Sometimes, He is more difficult to see at first, but His appearance always comes through eventually. Isn't that just like Him, though? Whenever we struggle through life, we don't always feel the presence of our Lord until we step back, ponder, and realize that He has been with us all along, guiding, sharing, and comforting. 

How does this reveal the semiotic theory of iconic realism? 

1. We have an iconic, etched image of Jesus, the Christ.

2. His image has been etched by God (or Nature if you like) on the trunk of a maple tree, not the usual placement of such an image. 

3. He is present there to remind my family, friends, and me that He is always with us, even when our troubled, bewildered minds fail to recognize His beloved, peaceful presence. 

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