An Unexpected Gift …
A Chicago area prodigy made a name for herself in the art world at 8 years old with this painting of Jesus. Akiane Kramarik’s career was launched and then the painting went missing. It was taken from her, sold, and kept out of the public eye for nearly two decades. The artwork was recovered just in time for Christmas. This was divine timing and an unexpected Christmas present. That is what Akiane calls bringing “Prince of Peace” out of hiding after 17 years. Sitting in her North Shore home studio, she recalls her story of growing up in a shack in rural Illinois. Akiane tells CBS reporter, Tara Molina, “My family was very poor. We grew up in an environment that was nurturing and caring. Everything around us felt beautiful.”
Akiane – Guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2003
As a young girl, Akiane stood beside one of her paintings of Jesus. Oprah said, “Eight was a big year for you. Oh my goodness. I don’t know what nine is going to bring. Where does this come from?” Akiane replied, “It comes from God.”
“Prince of Peace” Is Now a Famous Depiction of Jesus
“That’s how my whole entire career blossomed.” says Akiane. The reporter notes, “And of course that’s the piece that started it all, Prince of Peace, a now famous depiction of Jesus.” Akiane says, “I don’t belong to any religions. I really belong to God.”
It took more than 40 hours for then 8 year old Akiane Kramarik to finish the painting nearly twice her size – the painting that launched her career, with thousands of copies like this one sold around the globe. Now years and hundreds of notable paintings later, Akiane says “Prince of Peace” is her most recognized work.
Akiane Kramarik’s “Prince of Peace” Painting Reappears
The original portrait, just now returning to view, was taken by an agent and sold by mistake. The piece spent years in the dark, wrapped up and hidden under the stairs. It was recently recovered by her family and sold to a private collector for $850,000. It is not the sale putting a smile on her face. Akiane says, “That was a Christmas gift to me. It was amazing for me to see this in the light again after many years.” It is a reminder of words she works by – Let love guide your light. Akiane says, “Love is so powerful, it will always show up on time to people who need it most.”
Watch the video, How Jesus Saved His Own Portrait…The True Story of Akiane’s Lost Masterpiece
NOTE: When she was very young, Akiane saw Jesus in a vision and then painted what she saw at the age of eight. Colton Burpo and thousands of others confirm this as Jesus’ likeness. Watch the video, Colton Burpo: Heaven is for Real and see what Colton experienced in Heaven.
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