Galatians
1:4

Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

Qui dedit semetipsum pro peccatis nostris, ut eriperet nos de præsenti sæculo nequam, secundum voluntatem Dei et Patris nostri.

Sketch Version

he following sections are

documentation of the making of my digital painting Galatians 1:4.

This page is meant to briefly show the process of converting an emotion or concept into a piece that

conveys those ideas. You will be confronted with apathy, violence and you will most likely be challenged.

Concept Sketch

Back Story

The story that influenced the piece, the cultural impact and the spiritual response.

he spark for this piece came to me after the

murder of Iryna Zarutska on a public bus in North Carolina on August 22, 2025. This event was so heart wrenching because of the fact that it happened in the open while others watched passively. The bystander effect and desensitization was on full display within that bus that night. Random acts of violence, racial/gender based violence, human trafficking, and public assaults are occurring often across the United States everyday. Much of this suffering is known about, but is hidden behind bureaucracy, fear, or

indifference. Victims are seen, yet help is not given. Crimes are documented, yet no justice is served. Over time, this constant exposure to violence through the media dulls our response. We often perceive suffering as distant, normal, and inevitable. This painting attempts to make the suffering of victims clear and unavoidable. How violence and victims are made a spectacle, while they remain in crisis and the avoidance of assistance from systems, agencies and individuals. I wanted to capture distress, true pain, acceptance of fate, lack of empathy, and the state of modern America.

First Tone Sketch Attempt

Color Layout

Tone Layout

Artist
Insight

restarting different aspects, colors, lighting or compositions trying to stay honest to the idea behind the painting. I realized that trying to convey a perfected/cleaned version of the piece does not convey the message I wanted. So I kept imperfections, distressed the work area, and stopped overthinking. Also using my signature rough edges, visible paint streaks and unclean lines helped portray the message of damage. Almost every one of my pieces are openly or subtly Christian. They often have a darker tone but have a hopeful message. This is loosely influenced by the painting styles of 20th century painter, Edward Hopper and digital artist, Sam Spratt. From them I try to integrate harsh shadows to emphasize the light in the composition and limit my color palette to focus on showing emotion through tones.

alatians 1:4 was a difficult project that spanned almost 4 months. I worked on and off, starting and

Time Lapse

Closer Look- Face

Closer Look

or show compassion. A closer look at the woman’s face shows the focal point of the piece and the exhaustion, fear and realization she feels in this moment. Mascara streaks down her face, blood staining her shirt and skin, eyes pleading for help. She's looking directly at the viewer, breaking the distance between observer and victim. She is on display, both in her world in front of people standing idly, and on the screen you are reading this off of. You are now a part of the composition of the piece.

eople stand around this woman as she suffers and do nothing to

You are viewing her pain as a spectacle as she experiences in real time. Her hand soaked in blood pressing against a fatal wound in her side shows her urgency to survive. Around her neck hangs a small cross necklace that is a subtle nod to our God who knows the pain of human suffering. She is reminded of this by her wrist tattoo that ties directly to the hopeful message of the title. These details invite the viewer to look deeper and closer, rather than glancing over everything. There is a deeper meaning to all my paintings and hidden clues to such meanings in all of them.

Closer Look- Hand

Closer Look- Cross

Closer Look- Tattoo

Galations 1:4- TIVariable

Bible Verse

he Bible verse Galatians 1:4 explains Jesus willingly giving His life to rescue all of us from this evil world. The verse

does not avoid the idea of evil but acknowledges it and gives us an alternate route. The woman shown suffering expresses inability to save ourselves, the lack of action the world will have, and the hope that our God gives his children. An alternate Bible verse title that was in contention was John 16:33 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Both these verses give a reminder that evil has corrupted all of creation, but Christ has defeated sin and death and allows us to be in His presence of pure goodness. Although God talks about a way out from this evil world, He still wants us to live in it for one reason or another. Everyday is a gift, everyone is an image bearer of God, and we are all sinners that have one Savior.

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.

Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭30‬-‭35‬ ‭

Galatians 1:4