God Who Sees Me

4′ x 4′ Oil Painting

God Who Sees Me is an original oil painting that places the biblical figure of Hagar within a contemporary setting, inviting the viewer to encounter an ancient story through a familiar lens.
The composition depicts Hagar in the midst of packing up her home. Seated on the floor with both hands resting protectively over her womb, she appears exhausted, burdened, and uncertain of what lies ahead. The room is filled with the chaotic evidence of departure, suggesting a life interrupted and a future she cannot yet see. It is an ordinary, deeply human moment—one that speaks to fear, vulnerability, and the weight of carrying on when hope feels distant.
Measuring 4 × 4 feet, the painting is rendered at life size, allowing the viewer to share the same physical space as its subject. In my work, I find myself continually exploring the relationship between expressive brushwork and faithful representation. I am drawn to the richness and physicality of oil paint—its ability to hold colour, texture, and light—while pursuing a realism that feels both immediate and deeply human.
Although rooted in the Old Testament, Hagar’s story continues to resonate because it speaks to experiences that transcend time. Pregnancy itself can be a season of profound joy intertwined with uncertainty, and many will recognize something of themselves in her weariness. More broadly, the painting reflects those seasons of life in which we feel unseen, forgotten, or overwhelmed by circumstances beyond our control.
The title, God Who Sees Me, comes from Hagar’s remarkable response after encountering the Lord in the wilderness. Having been mistreated, used, and driven away, she expected only abandonment. Instead, she discovered that the God of Israel had not overlooked her. He met her in her distress, spoke hope into her future, and gave her a promise of her own. In response, Hagar became the only person recorded in Scripture to give God a name, calling Him El Roi—”the God who sees me.”
That truth is the heart of this painting. The God who saw Hagar is the same God who continues to see those the world overlooks. My hope is that this work serves as a quiet reminder that no life is insignificant before Him, and that even in our wilderness moments, His compassion, presence, and promises remain.