I See You

Medium: Acrylic

$900.00

Painting Process: I See You

The creation of I See You began with a compositional sketch and a bold, unfamiliar palette—minty teals, chartreuses, fuchsias, and periwinkles. During live worship, I used a large, loaded brush to sweep textured greens across the canvas, forming a luminous field. The sheep emerged through palette knife work—thick purples and lavenders shaped their wool with quick, fluffy strokes. Scratched lines added movement and form. As songs of praise filled the room, color and texture danced in rhythm with the music. The process was intuitive and layered—a Spirit-led blend of risk, rhythm, and reverence.

I See You
acrylic on canvas, 2024
Painted live during worship on Mother’s Day
Erika Strickland

Artwork Statement
I See You began as a simple image: a ewe and her lamb facing one another—an intimate moment of maternal connection. Painted live on Mother’s Day, it was intended to honor the beauty of motherhood. But as worship filled the space, the painting transformed.

Lush greens and teals danced with the song of worship on a vibrant, living backdrop. Thick and broad palette knife strokes in deep purples and soft lavenders shaped the wool with texture and tenderness. 

As the song Agnus Dei rang out—“Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb, HOLY!”—the worship leader vamped on the lyrics, flowing into spontaneous praise:

“Righteous is the Lamb… Holy is the Lamb… Loving is the Lamb…”

In that moment, the lamb in the painting seemed to lift its gaze. Perceiving. Piercing.

What began as a tender, childlike moment became something more—divine.

The ewe was no longer just a mother—she became humanity itself. The lamb became Jesus, looking straight into the soul with love and sacrifice.

I burst into tears. This was no longer a painting. It was an encounter.

Jesus leans in and says:

“I see you.”

To mothers. To the weary. To every heart:

“I saw you before you were in your mother’s womb. And I already set you free.”

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