Gratia et Fides (Grace and Faith) is oil on Canvas work that examines devotion as a lived, fragile experience shaped by endurance, doubt, and quiet perseverance. Rather than presenting faith as absolute or triumphant, the work situates belief within the human body, where grace is inseparable from vulnerability. The cross appears eroded and incomplete, emphasizing faith as something continuously negotiated rather than firmly resolved.
A wounded hand descends from above, reversing traditional religious hierarchies and shifting focus toward human struggle. Marked by subtle traces of pain, it suggests faith as an act of reaching despite uncertainty. Entwined around the cross, the crown of thorns becomes both offering and burden, transforming sacrifice into an intimate, personal gesture. These elements invite reflection on belief not as inherited doctrine, but as something shaped through lived experience, loss, and resilience.
The restrained palette of earth tones reinforces humility and silence, allowing texture, shadow, and material presence to carry emotional weight. The three dimensional components blur the boundary between painting and object, emphasizing that faith is not merely observed but physically felt. Space, surface, and restraint are used intentionally to create a contemplative encounter rather than a didactic statement.
The creative process behind Gratia et Fides began with introspection rather than fixed imagery. I approached the work intuitively, allowing memory, questioning, and moments of quiet devotion to guide each decision. Layers were built slowly, embracing imperfection and material resistance. The surface evolved through accumulation, removal, and reworking, mirroring the instability of belief itself. The act of making became a form of meditation, where doubt and faith coexist. Ultimately, the work stands as a reflection on grace not as certainty, but as something continually sought, carried, and lived. It offers no resolution, only an honest space where faith survives through endurance, humility, and sustained hope quietly.

I reflect on the scripture passage 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This verse resonates deeply with Gratia et Fides, as the artwork centers on faith not as strength displayed, but as vulnerability endured. The wounded hand and fractured cross echo a theology where grace does not erase suffering, but dwells within it.
In the work, the descending hand marked by pain embodies human weakness rather than divine distance. It suggests a God encountered not in certainty, but in moments of surrender and doubt. Paul’s admission of weakness becomes a radical act of faith, mirrored by the exposed materials and imperfect surface of the piece. The cross, stripped of triumph, becomes a space where fragility is not failure, but invitation.
The crown of thorns entwined within the form recalls Christ’s suffering as an act of love that embraces limitation. In this sense, faith is not heroic endurance alone, but a willingness to remain present within pain. The scripture reframes weakness as the condition through which grace becomes visible, aligning with the artwork’s refusal to present redemption as immediate or complete.
The muted earth tones and restrained composition reinforce this reflection. Silence, absence, and restraint parallel the scriptural understanding that grace often arrives quietly. Just as Paul learns to boast in weakness, the work invites viewers to reconsider brokenness as a site of encounter rather than shame.
Gratia et Fides ultimately becomes a visual meditation on this passage. It affirms that faith is sustained not by certainty, but by trust formed through suffering. Grace, as the scripture suggests, is not proven by power, but revealed through endurance, humility, and the courage to remain open when strength has been exhausted. Here, belief breathes slowly, held together by wounds, patience, and hope.

I acknowledge my family, whose unwavering support and presence have grounded me throughout the creation of this work. My life experiences shaped by resilience, struggle, and growth form the emotional and spiritual foundation of Gratia et Fides. These experiences continue to inform my understanding of faith as something lived rather than idealized.
Beyond all human influence, I recognize God as my constant source of strength. In moments of uncertainty, doubt, and perseverance, faith has remained a sustaining force, guiding both the making of the work and the courage to submit it. This artwork is ultimately an offering shaped by gratitude, endurance, and trust.

Availability and Purchase Information
Gratia et Fides is available for acquisition at a price of USD 2,500. Interested collectors, curators, and institutions are welcome to contact me directly for purchase inquiries, additional details, or documentation.
For personal messages and direct communication, you may reach me via WhatsApp at +63 968 593 2404 (Dexxie). You may also contact me through Instagram for inquiries, previews of my work, and further engagement with my practice:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dexxyarts
All transactions, shipping arrangements, and related details can be discussed privately to ensure a smooth and professional acquisition process.

In addition to creating original artworks, I offer commissioned pieces tailored to individual collectors, institutions, and private clients. These commissions may include mixed media works, paintings, or concept-driven projects developed through close dialogue with the client to ensure both artistic integrity and personal relevance.
I am also available for exhibitions, collaborative projects, and creative partnerships that align with my practice and values. These may include curatorial collaborations, interdisciplinary works, and participation in art talks or artist-led discussions that explore themes of identity, faith, and lived experience.
Limited-edition prints of selected works may be made available upon request. I also offer studio-based consultations and creative discussions for collectors and organizations interested in deeper engagement with my process and conceptual approach.
All inquiries regarding commissions, collaborations, prints, or professional engagements can be made directly through WhatsApp at +63 968 593 2404 (Dexxie) or via Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dexxyarts. Each inquiry is handled personally to ensure clear communication and a thoughtful, professional exchange.