A few years ago, a friend told me about a short story he was writing about a captive bride and a warrior prince who was fighting to free her. Images of the bride were playing around in my mind when I spoke to my mom, who told me about some things she had recently learned about redemption. The version from Isaiah 43:1 was impressed upon me strongly: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine."
Immediately, everything came together and I knew I needed to get the images from my heart onto the canvas. I gathered the models and photographer, and we set the stage for what I hoped would be a powerful depiction of Christ's redemption of us all.
Since then, grown adults have wept in front of this painting. Women have poured out their stories of abuse, neglect, and fear to me, and have found solace in this painting.
