Cherished

In March of 2024, our daughter and her family attended the Manti Temple Open House. The day was bitterly cold, and our grandchildren had to huddle against the foundation of the Temple for warmth. Our daughter told us how members, those participating in the Open House, handed out blankets that they draped around our grandchildren for warmth and protection. This incident deeply touched my heart. That the members would have exhibited such loving kindness, or Hesed, was something the Savior would have done. In my mind, the blankets were symbolic of that love.

Hesed is a Hebrew word that means “kindness or “loving-kindness.” It is often associated with God’s covenant with His people, and demonstrates His unconditional love, kindness, and mercy.
I have been mesmerized by the idea that the Savior wraps each of us in a blanket of Hesed. In fact, the word “Atonement” means: to cover.

Many things coalesce visually for me when I see a painting in my mind. Once, I had experienced a painting by N. C. Wyeth: a man standing on a mountain peak, the wind whipping his cloak about him. I then envisioned the Savior, blanketing His precious lamb with His redeeming strength and power.

After weighing several title options for this painting, the one I should use suddenly became obvious to me: Cherished.

The Savior blankets you, and me in His unconditional love! I hope when you view this painting you feel cherished by the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Scripture reference: Isaiah 54:10

Reproduced from the artOil on ACM panel, 20 x 24. May 2024

A preeminent realist painter, Sandy – as do all great masters – carries on the traditions and canons of classical art ideology practiced from the Renaissance down through 19th century. Her paintings and drawings demonstrate her virtuosity, a manifestation of unparalleled technical excellence, which result in great works of lasting beauty. Sandy’s unsurpassed knowledge of anatomy, color theory and design, facilitate her portrayal of the human condition – in all its complexities – with breathtaking elegance and mastery. Sandy’s feels privileged to paint her testimony through her love of the scriptures, and passion for religious figurative painting.

Sandy’s husband is writer, Dave Gagon. They have three children.

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