Tatiana Nikolova-Houston is a Bulgarian-born artist and scholar whose practice is rooted in Byzantine and South Slavic sacred art. Trained first in Landscape Architecture in Bulgaria, she later earned graduate degrees in Religious Studies and Library & Information Science in the United States, completing a PhD in the latter with a specialization in South Slavic medieval manuscripts. Her doctoral research uncovered the “secret history” of the Balkans during the Ottoman period through the marginal notes left by generations of scribes. Since 2008, Tatiana has developed a body of contemporary sacred illuminations that draw deeply on Orthodox Christian spirituality. Working with gold and metallic inks, acrylics, and Swarovski crystals, she re-imagines traditional iconographic and manuscript motifs—especially the Tree of Life and the theme of Divine Light—for modern viewers. Her work is nourished by a life of prayer, participation in the living Orthodox Church, and ongoing study of sacred texts. She sees spiritual art as therapeutic and transformative, capable of helping to heal personal and collective trauma and of reconnecting people to the wisdom of past and future generations. These illuminations live where ancient prayer meets present-day fracture. They draw on the luminous traditions of Byzantine iconography and South Slavic manuscript illumination to create contemporary sacred images: Trees of Life, circles of light, birds of paradise, hands, and scriptural quotations, prayers and poems that speak about the Divine Light within and without. These images invite quiet contemplation. Their light does not shout; it radiates slowly from within the forms, asking the viewer to linger, to read, and to pray. In a wounded and anxious world, these sacred illuminations offer healing and courage: a reminder that beauty, in Dostoevsky’s words, can still help to “save the world,” and that the ancient Tree of Life is not a forgotten symbol, but a living root

This piece is series Hallelujah. It depicts tree-like people dancing, intertwined, with roots planted by the River of Life. The inspiration came from Psalm 1:3: "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." The Psalm depicts the righteous abiding by the River of Life. The tree-like people arise from the water and their hands-like branches bear leaves that are like candles - flames. The Holy Spirit from above channels the Eternal Life into All. Just like the Tree of Life represents God nourishing All, so the righteous become like Living trees, being and growing in the Image of God, abiding by Him. The colors used beside the gold are turquoise and emerald to represent the River of Life, the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit of vigor and healing into eternal life.

myself, the artist

Large painting, 30x40 - $3500
Smaller painting 14x18 - $1500
Reproductions 11x14 - $75
Contact by email first: gabrovo61@yahoo.com

Mixed media painting, gold and metallic acrylics, Swarovski crystals