Commission: Sacred Icon Paintings for Church

In early 2010's, Annie had the privilege of visiting a 500-year-old Orthodox church in Istanbul, a place steeped in history and adorned with breathtaking icon oil paintings on wooden panels.

As she admired the sacred works of art, the church’s priest approached her and asked Annie if she was an artist. After a meaningful conversation, the priest expressed enthusiasm and told Annie she had remarkable energy.

He asked her if she would consider accepting a commission to create icons on wooden panels for a church in Armenia.

She was told that such projects are rarely assigned to female artists, and the individual must have a pure, loving heart.

Although she had never previously worked with the technique of applying gold leaves to wood, she embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.

Six months later, she received three wooden panels, specifically prepared under temperature-controlled conditions within the church and consecrated through prayer.

Annie meticulously created the icons in a month, immersing herself in the sacred nature of the task.

This project was a profoundly meaningful experience. It allowed Annie to contribute to a centuries-old artistic tradition within the realm of religious iconography.

The combination of artistry, spiritual reverence, and cultural heritage made this commission one of the most significant milestones in her journey.