A combination of mysterious art borrowed from medieval monks and perfected with the studies at the Romanian Academy of Belle Arte.

…Under the regime of Ceausescu, there was no place for Ioan Varadeanu and for his fantastic icons.

…He prefers to express himself with a very small brush, which he maneuvers with extraordinary ability.

(Il Giorno) – Italy – Sat. March 13, 1982

The Life and Works of the Artist – Ioan Varadeanu

Ioan Varadeanu was born on October 3, 1930, in a small town in what is known as the oil and grapes region of Romania. He attended the “Popular School of the Arts” for secondary school followed by the University of Theater" I.L. Caragiale, in Bucharest, where he completed his masters degree. He also completed courses in fine arts at the University in Bucharest. His artistic talents had been recognized early by the influential Iosif Pop and by his teacher. His talent goes much further than painting he is also a highly regarded woodworker and restorer, a talent he developed from his boyhood love of wood and its potential. He has combined his talents and has become a noted icon artist. Romanian icons may be made on wood or the popular “Rivers of the Glass” method. In 1968 he took first prize in an art competition in Bucharest, but this success was short lived under the Ceausescu Regime. He was terrorized for thirty years by the communists because of his beliefs and the religious nature of his art. In 1980 after his prolonged struggle Mr. Varadeanu left his country and immigrated to Germany in search of greater artistic freedom. He was forced to leave Germany in 1981 because he could not obtain a visa for his wife. The Varadeanu’s moved to Italy where Ioan secured a job in the Castiglione Olona Art Gallery, in Varese. He was welcomed by the Mayor and honored with a one-man exhibition called “Eternity Windows". A review of this exhibit appeared in the newspaper “Pre Alpina: Il Giorno”, Where he was called “A brilliant painter”. Senor Pios de Los Casares, The Spanish Ambassador to Romania, who introduced his work to other dignitaries and associates, acclaimed him. His paintings and icons can be found in collections in Romania, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Holland, Sudan, and Switzerland as well as the United States. In June 1982 his works received an award at the International Art Competition at Legnano, an outstanding honor for a refugee artist. In the Vigevano Art Competition in Milan (1983) he received a best in show award with his icon "St. Gabriele". After many difficult years Mr. Varadeanu and his wife (an award winning artist in her own right) immigrated to the United States where they now reside and work. Mr. Varadeanu is the head restoration artist for the “Newel Art Gallery” and continues to paint in his free time. His remarkable wood icons, incorporating ingenious antiquing effects and gold leaf work as well as his inspiring paintings continue to be his greatest strengths.

The Life and Works of the Artist – Constanta Varadeanu

Constanta Varadeanu, was born in Romania, October 1952, and graduated from Mihai Viteazul High School in Ploiesti 1970. She grew up planning to be a painter. Her passion began to bloom when she was age fourteen. In 1968, at the “House of Culture” Ploiesti, her works were shown; it was her first contact with the professional art world. In 1971 made her to candidate for the University of Fine Arts, Nicolae Grigorescu, Bucharest. In July 1971 she was admitted to this Fine Arts University. In 1976 she completed a Master degree with 9,50. She was teacher in art at the High School Negru Voda (Constanta) and High School Dobrogeanu Gherea (Ploiesti), and she attended concurrently Museology and Archeology at the University N. Grigorescu, in Bucharest for three years. In 1982 Mrs. Varadeanu immigrated to Italy in search of greater artistic freedom. In June 1982 she took part in the International Art Competition (Legnano), where her works received an Award. In October 1982 she was honored with one-woman exhibition in Castiglione - Olona (Varese) Italy. In 1983 she took part at Vigevano (Milano), Art Competition with the landscape "Old Houses from Bucharest'.' and received another Award. Color with Constanta, is closely connected with the significant elements of her painting. Through color, the artist actively participates in the social struggle, color helps her to penetrate into the most intimate life of man. She has works in private collection in Romania, France, Germany, Switzerland, and U.S.A. She was admitted with her husband to the U.S.A. as a Refugee after along struggle with the Romanian Communist regime. In 1991, Emerging Artists Competition, (LIMNER Gallery), she was a finalist in the last round of the jury process. In 1992, she won the prize (E) of the SOHO INTERNATIONAL ART COMPETITION ' 92. Winning this prize warrants the inclusion of her portfolio in the Gallery registry - which is called ART - MINE. Her works have been reviewed by the gallery management and were found to qualify for Gallery representation, which includes exhibition.