"Still Known"

When people look at Still Known, I want them to first see the girl and the cross. Both are made from Bible pages, not just for visual effect but to make a deeper point. The cross holds the word King, and the girl holds the word Joy, which is both my name and a reminder of what the Holy Spirit offers. It’s a reflection of Christ being the Word, and humans being made in God’s image. It’s not just symbolic, it’s personal. The girl is me, but she’s also every daughter of God, still learning what it means to be seen, held, and led.

The sky behind her has a swirly, mystical texture. That technique was new for me and came from a place of curiosity. I wanted it to feel surreal, alive, and full. It’s rooted in nature, but it’s not ordinary. It’s a reminder of spiritual abundance. Blessings are always around us; we just have to be present enough to see them. That’s what it means to walk with God. To trust His pace, even when we don’t know where it’s leading.

I used acrylic paint on canvas panels, layering in Bible paper as an intentional act of reverence. I only used pages to build the cross and the girl. That felt sacred. It wasn’t just about making art; it was about physically honoring the Word. 

The process felt peaceful because it came after a turning point in my life. This was the first piece I made after accepting Christ for my own reasons, not because someone told me I should. It was quiet, clear, and full of purpose. I felt honored to be able to create from a place that was spiritually grounded.

This piece captures what it feels like to be in that still, quiet space where you finally feel God clearly. The verses in the background are softly rendered purposefully. They’re reminders that He is always near. That if you stay close, if you keep walking, everything will come together the way it’s supposed to.

Showing my need to be known by God is not always easy to admit. I struggle sometimes with being consistent in that truth. But this painting reminds me of where I want to live spiritually. It helps me return to that place when life gets noisy. I don’t think art should be afraid to make people uncomfortable. That’s not a bad thing. If something in you shifts when you look at this, sit with that feeling. Ask yourself why. Art is supposed to move us. That movement is where growth starts.

Diversity among God’s children is normal; it’s always been that way. We don’t have to prove it. We just have to look around. We are already the art. The proof is in the creation itself.