About the Artist I was born with a form of Dwarfism known as SED Congenita which causes daily physical struggles, pain and the need for multiple surgeries. Yet, in the middle of all that I see a precious gift as I’ve watched the trials of my life grow my faith and deepen my relationship with Jesus. For that, I call myself blessed for being created as I am. In 1987, as a result of neurological damage, I became fully dependent on crutches for the next 13 years of my life. I remember, in hope and utter frustration, declaring, "If the day ever comes when I don’t need my crutches, I’m going to burn them!" When I asked my doctor if he thought that day would ever come, his wisdom spoke, "Most likely, no". But I never stopped believing in the One who could heal me. A few years later, on September 29, 2001, into a big bonfire, I threw the very crutches that ‘man’ said I would always need! To God be the glory! The Lord upholds all those who fall... Psalm 145:14 About the Painting My Hero was inspired by the words of someone dear to my heart. He calls me his hero because of the strength he sees in my life, but what he doesn’t see is the source of that strength. In this painting I’ve portrayed myself as a little girl who has fallen while walking with her crutches. She looks up to the One behind her as if to say, "…but it hurts." His strong but gentle look reveals His response, "It will be okay; I am with you." On my own I am weak, but His strength is always there to pick me up. He is my hero and His name is Jesus. After countless prayers, tears, and three attempts, which took a full year and a half, I was able to fulfill the vision God gave me and complete the work, My Hero. Those two failed attempts taught me more than any successful painting I created. Without the leading of the Holy Spirit I would never have had the strength or courage to try a second and then a third time. My prayer through it all remained the same: "Lord, I cannot do this alone; I need You to be the artist and simply use me as Your paintbrush through which You reveal Your heart." "But this treasure - this light and power that now shine within us - is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own." 2 Corinthians 4:7