Orthodox icons are for me a reminder of who I am, linking me to the past, to my Romanian ancestors. The sacred image is of utmost importance for the Eastern Orthodox Church, both for liturgical ceremony and for the private prayer, being suitable for an act of worship very popular in the Byzantine world. The portable icon is probably the best answer to this spiritual need, as the image of the saint allows the believer personal daily access to the holy power.
             Every time I paint an icon I realize that in fact I carry on a thousand years' tradition. Back at its origins the painting was exclusively religious. If the biblical and mythological subjects disappear from art history books, these books would be almost empty.