I wanted my art piece to tell scripture in a relatable way. When people view my piece, I want them to relate and find comfort in knowing our savior will always be there for us, even when he seems far away. After I selected a scripture, I started brainstorming ways to display it and settled on a girl kneeling before the cross in the middle of a busy, noisy, dark, and stress-filled world. She is covered in the glow of the Prince of Peace, showing that Jesus will always be watching over you in a world filled with chaos and trouble, bringing you peace and reassurance because he has overcome this world. The initial artwork is traditionally sketched, then digitally refined in Procreate, where I then start thinking about color, texture, and shading. I wanted the colors and textures to enhance the artwork, helping the viewer feel the atmosphere, creating a sense of realism.
The scripture I chose is, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). I choose this scripture because I felt it was relevant to our world, especially now. This world is filled with daily stress and anxiety. There is always something negative on the news. I wanted this art piece to be a reminder that Jesus Christ, our savior, is the Prince of Peace, and you can always seek him in any situation, no matter how stressed or troubled you may be. That's why I chose to draw a girl kneeling at the foot of the cross, smiling and surrounded by Jesus’s peace, glowing in the presence of the holy spirit, despite being in the middle of a chaotic, stress-filled world, because Jesus has overcome the world!
The 2026 Engage Art Contest will be accepting new artwork in January 2026!