Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
A quiet, protective moment holds the painting together: a bearded figure in a soft blue robe cradles a small child against a landscape of tall grasses and distant flat‑topped trees. The child's large, steady eyes meet us directly, carrying both vulnerability and a surprising calm, while the adult's profile reads as thoughtful and watchful. The muted palette—gentle ochres in the field, pale greens in the trees, and the robe’s cool blue—creates a hush that feels both tender and resolute. Brushwork is smooth and refined, emphasizing the warmth of the embrace and the subtle textures of skin and fabric rather than dramatic gesture. There’s an intimate human certainty here: care offered without pretense, and a sense that one life held close can change the feeling of the whole scene. It’s the kind of image that lingers, quietly reassuring and quietly demanding compassion.
The Artwork
About Worth of a Soul Gallery Wrap
When Mothers Without Borders approached me about going to Africa, I told them I was not interested. For me Africa was a world away, “and besides,” I thought, “I am too busy.” Imagine my surprise when I found myself on a plane to Zambia in June 2007. One of the first children I met was Kennedy, the little boy you see in the painting. At three years old he has lost both of his parents to illness and was found living alone with his six year old brother and ten year old sister. When I thought of those three children struggling to survive and the millions of others across Africa in similar circumstances, I felt an overwhelming hopelessness and said to myself, “No amount of money can fix this.” Later that day while we were filming, Kennedy climbed into the arms of the man portraying the Savior. As I stood watching them, Kennedy turned towards me and our eyes met. At that moment I knew it wasn’t hopeless. I realized that the Savior could fix not only the problems of Africa, but of the whole world…and we can be His hands to do it. For the first time in my life I felt what Isaiah meant when he said, “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces.” To Kennedy and all who struggle to understand why, I promise that God has not forgotten you. Looking back I realize that my reasons for not wanting to go to Africa are likely the same as yours. We are busy and feel like we cannot make a difference, but I know now that neither is true. We are never too busy to lift another and every good work is known to Him who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of…these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
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About the Collection
Liz Lemon Swindle's figurative art captures the emotional expression and profound spiritual connection in contemporary portraiture. Known for her religious and Christian art, her paintings often explore themes of faith, family, and the human experience. Swindle's fine art portraits evoke deep emotional resonance, particularly through her poignant depictions of mother and child and spiritual portraiture. With a modern realism approach, her art is symbolic, telling powerful stories of love, hope, and faith. Her narrative art captures intimate moments that speak to universal truths, inviting viewers to reflect on their own connections to family, faith, and the deeper meaning of life. Swindle's work continues to inspire and uplift through its emotional depth and spiritual themes.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by Liz Lemon Swindle.
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Limited-edition artwork includes a Certificate of Authenticity when one is issued by the artist, publisher, studio, or authorized source. Open-edition pieces may not include a certificate; this does not affect their authenticity. The Collection Shop sources artwork through artists, publishers, authorized distributors, galleries, and other approved channels. Any additional documentation included with this specific piece will be noted above.
"Liz Lemon Swindle has a deep, abiding faith that she feels blessed to share
through her art. A lifelong Utah resident, she studied fine arts at Utah State
University. She worked for several years as a set designer and painter for the
Osmond Studios television production company. As her family grew (she and her
husband Jon Swindle today have five children), she saw the need for a more
flexible career and decided to focus on oil painting. In the early 1980s she
tutored under renowned wildlife artist Nancy Glazier and soon after established
her own impressive reputation as a wildlife painter, participating in shows at
major galleries in the central and western United States. However, Lemon
Swindle became increasingly discontent, feeling artistically and spiritually
unfulfilled. In October 1988 she reached a turning point when she submitted a
portrait of children to the National Arts for the Parks competition and
received the coveted Founders' Favorite award. She realized then that there
was an audience for her portrait painting and by the early 1990s she had
devoted herself to the topic closest to her heart: her faith. A one-woman
show of her Christian art traveled to cities nationwide in the summer of 1997
and a book of her paintings, ""She Shall Bring Forth a Son"" was published in
1998."
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