Friendship Forged

Unjust blame strains heart

Forgiveness lightens burdens—

Bear hug seals friendship

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Tell-Tale Heart

Self-portrait at home on Cobble Ridge, Pittsboro NC

Journey Of Life

Keep in mind days of wine and roses,

When life seems darkest at death’s door.

It’s by design life juxtaposes

The good with bad and ugly, once more.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

The Good, Bad And Ugly

Flooding at Seaforth Peninsula on Jordan Lake NC

Daybreak Soliloquy

Connect with nature at sunrise,

Let your heart renew strength and soar.

Childlike, hail dead of night’s demise—

Her dark dungeons hold sway no more.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Divine Awakening

Seaforth Peninsula on Jordan Lake NC

Solace

Anguish torments hearts 

Solace springs from quietude—

Restores flesh and soul

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Solace

Great blue heron fishes flooded shoreline at Jordan Lake NC

Virgin Mary And Christ Icon

I am a lifelong artist and have a deep, abiding interest in classic Byzantine icons—their beauty and power as windows into Heaven and channels of divine grace.

In the early 1960s our family resettled in California. Within the next year or two, at age 16, I painted this icon—emulating the Byzantine style.The Mother of God looks out at us and gestures with her hand towards Jesus, guiding our attention to Him, as the Way and the Light.

Photo of my painting (c. 1963)

The Virgin Mary and Christ..the Savior of our souls

Courage Reborn

When heart brims with joy,

Each beat wakes strong emotions—

Passion fuels courage.

© Ilija Lukić 2025

Courage Unchained

Oriental bittersweet vines in woodlands north of Pittsboro NC