Cultivating Wonder

Inspired by a beloved mentor who found deep joy in helping children grow, this piece honors those who lift others up—literally and figuratively—so they can encounter beauty, joy, and confidence. It’s a quiet portrait of love that empowers, echoing the way God supports us: not with force, but with gentle strength and intentional care. Perfect for nurseries, classrooms, jiu jitsu gyms (where the original hangs!), or any space where wonder is nurtured, Cultivating Wonder is a reminder that the greatest love often shows up by simply making room for joy.

When I began this Art, I thought about what it means to nurture wonder. True guidance is not about perfection; it is about presence. The mentor who inspired this piece lived that truth daily. Through patience and kindness, they helped children discover courage, creativity, and confidence. Their life reflected the love of God — a love that never pushes, only invites.

In this Art, the central figure gently lifts a child toward something bright and unseen — a symbol of potential. The movement is upward, but peaceful. The light flows softly around them, signifying God’s grace that empowers without demanding. The posture of the figures tells the story: strength offered without dominance, love given without condition.

Every stroke in this Art was a meditation on encouragement. The soft tones evoke comfort and trust. The warmer hues symbolize growth — the unfolding of purpose. Gold accents glimmer subtly in the background, representing divine delight that shines through every act of selfless care.

This Art honors those who lift, teach, and believe when others cannot see their own worth. It is dedicated to mentors, parents, leaders, and friends who pour themselves into others with open hearts. Their work often goes unseen, yet the fruits of their love last forever.

When you gaze at this Art, you might think of your own mentor — the one who believed in you when you doubted yourself. Or perhaps, it reminds you of the times you’ve lifted someone else, helping them find balance and light. The story it tells is simple but eternal: love grows by giving room for joy.

In the original setting, this Art hangs in a jiu jitsu gym — a place of discipline, respect, and transformation. There, it reminds every student that true strength comes from gentleness. It stands as a quiet message amid motion: that even in struggle, there can be grace. The same message belongs in classrooms, nurseries, and homes — anywhere hearts are being shaped.

The mentor who inspired this piece never sought recognition. Their joy came from watching others thrive. That spirit shaped the composition — humble, centered, and full of light. I wanted the viewer to feel that same peace, that same quiet assurance that love’s work is never wasted.

This Art also echoes the heart of God. He lifts us not through power, but through presence. He does not force; He forms. He steadies us when we stumble and celebrates when we rise. Like the mentor in this piece, His strength is tender, and His joy is in our becoming.

As I painted, I reflected on how God calls us to mirror that love — to be hands of grace in a restless world. The brushstrokes became a kind of prayer: that each of us might learn to lift others the way He lifts us.

Every detail in this Art carries intention. The upward gaze symbolizes hope. The intertwined hands represent trust. The background light portrays divine support, always near but never overwhelming. It is a portrait of faith in action — not loud or grand, but enduring and real.

Hang this Art in a place where life is nurtured. Let it watch over the spaces where laughter, curiosity, and courage take root. Whether in a home, classroom, or gym, its presence will whisper a truth: that wonder grows best in an atmosphere of love.

This Art is not about achievement; it is about relationship. It invites reflection — on how we lift others and how God lifts us. It reminds us that love’s greatest expression is not in what it demands, but in what it makes possible.

Through color, movement, and emotion, the piece becomes more than a portrait — it becomes a living prayer for every heart that teaches, mentors, or simply listens. It calls us back to the beauty of compassion expressed through action.

So when you look at this piece, remember: strength and gentleness are not opposites. They belong together. The strongest hands are those that lift, not those that grasp. The brightest lights are those that help others shine.

Let Cultivating Wonder fill your space with that reminder. It is a visual hymn of encouragement — a celebration of every quiet act of faith that helps another soul rise.

And may it remind you, always, that the greatest love often shows up not in grand gestures, but in gentle ones. Not through power, but through presence. Not through words, but through wonder.

This work is a thank-you to those who lift others toward the light — and a call to become one of them.