Sacred Art on Ostrich Eggs

Vanya Petkova, a hearing-impaired artist from Kardzhali, Bulgaria, creates unique icons of saints on ostrich eggs. Though she’s been painting since childhood and held solo exhibitions, her journey with these unconventional canvases began nearly 15 years ago when a relative asked her to paint a saint on an egg. She chose to depict Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, and the success of that first attempt sparked a long-lasting passion, CE Report quotes BTA

Since then, Petkova has painted many saints on ostrich eggs, including St. Marina, St. Petka, St. Menas, St. Pantaleon, St. George, and Saints Constantine and Helena. Despite not considering herself deeply religious, she approaches her work with reverence, finding peace and calm in the delicate process.

Those who have seen or touched her work often describe the icons as "alive," admiring the spiritual depth captured on such a fragile surface.