The Pieces
HOW IT STARTED
The Artist Behind
Exploring faith, God's healing, and spiritual renewal through contemporary fine art.
About the Artist
From as early as I can remember, I have always loved to draw and create. I can still laugh looking back at the various times I got into trouble for sketching on my parents' walls and the backs of our car seats. However, I didn't recognize my true passion until I was 11 or 12 years old, when I began following YouTube tutorials to draw celebrities and cartoon characters. As I practiced, I started to notice real progress in my skills.
Realizing that videos alone weren't enough to reach the level I wanted, I began researching and buying instructional books to study how to construct different figures. By then, my classmates had taken notice; on more than one occasion, entire groups would ask me to handle the artwork for our school projects.
When I finally reached the age where art was offered as a formal class, I immediately signed up to learn foundational concepts. Even then, progress felt slow, but I stayed committed to learning as much as possible. Over the years, my art teachers recognized my potential and invested extra time to help me grow. Still, comparing my work to the skill level of other artists left me hungry to improve. I didn't stop—I kept sketching relentlessly, whether in the back of my math journals during class or late at night in my sketchbook at home.
A couple of years after giving my life to Christ, right around my freshman year of high school, I began to truly understand the power of prayer. As I sought His plan for my life, I brought my art directly to God. I prayed and asked Him to supernaturally bless me with the ability to create art with excellence and advanced skill. From that point on, my abilities expanded dramatically, shifting my work from creating "just art" to crafting pieces deeply anchored in meaning and purpose.
During the summer of my sophomore year in high school, I began seeking the Lord for my assignment and vocation. As I noticed a growing interest in human relationships, psychology, and the mind, I spent the entire summer praying: "God, I really want to do psychology. Please allow me to do it, but only if it's Your will; I won't pursue it unless it is Your purpose for my life." God supernaturally confirmed His path through a minister very dear to my heart, Dr. Gabriel Rogers, revealing that my life assignment lies in counseling and art therapy—news that left me completely ecstatic.
Around that same time, after vowing never to work in color—preferring to stick strictly to graphite and monochrome—my art teachers challenged me to broaden my horizons. As I began experimenting with color, I prayed before and during the creation process, asking God for the skill and knowledge to create on an acceptable level. Soon, I found myself satisfied with my work. I began submitting pieces to competitions during my final years of high school, culminating in winning first place and a $2,000 scholarship in my very last contest.
I went on to attend Oral Roberts University, graduating a semester early with honors (Summa Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Art. Building on that foundation, I am now stepping into my next season at Houston Christian University to pursue a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling, with the ultimate goal of becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a registered Art Therapist.
My creative process is deeply rooted in my walk with the Lord. Many of my art pieces are born directly out of worship—whether in the privacy of my home, during personal devotions, or sitting in church listening to sermons. As I read the Word of God, I vividly visualize biblical scenes and historical moments as if I were standing right there in the room, which inspires me to draw and depict them.
These pieces are profoundly personal to me, serving as visual testaments of who God and Jesus Christ are and how They have moved in my life. God has supernaturally changed my life, and I would never be the same without Him. Through my art, my ultimate desire is to convey the freedom, joy, and comfort that Jesus Christ brings when He enters a person's life and truly becomes Lord over it.
Finally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, and especially to my parents, Rondy and Regina Long. Their unwavering support, help, and encouragement—along with their generosity in helping fund and push me toward this path—have been instrumental in every step of this journey. Above all, I give my Lord all the credit, glory, and honor for the gifts and talents He has bestowed upon me; He gave His life for me, so I have given mine to Him to utilize in whatever way He sees fit to advance His kingdom!