Meet the 8-Year-Old Who Created a Breathtaking Jesus Painting—Prepare to Be Amazed

Akiane Kramarik painted a beautiful picture of Jesus called “Prince of Peace” when she was just 8 years old. This amazing artwork was forgotten for 16 years after it was stolen, sold by mistake, and kept away in darkness. Now, it has been brought back to the light for everyone to see.

Now 28 years old, Akiane Kramarik is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She is known for her beautiful spiritual paintings, which feature her amazing brushstrokes. When she painted “Prince of Peace,” she felt a strong urge, inspired by a recurring vision, to create an image of Jesus as a “profound role model for humanity.”

At just nine years old, Akiane appeared on the Oprah Show and showcased her art, which was much bigger than her small frame. Among her paintings was the famous portrait of Jesus, “Prince of Peace,” created with her special techniques.

“You’re obviously gifted. Where does this come from?” Oprah asked her.

“It comes from God,” Akiane confidently answered.

In another interview, when Akiane was just 10, she was asked how she knew it was God speaking to her. She replied, “Because I can hear His voice. His voice is quiet and beautiful.”

Interestingly, Akiane’s family is not religious, and they never talked about God in their small-town Idaho home.

“It wasn’t just art that was happening. Along with the art, there was a spiritual awakening,” said Akiane’s mother, Forelli Kramarik, who grew up in an atheistic family in Lithuania. “It all began when Akiane started sharing her dreams and visions. My husband, who was a former Catholic, did not share the same beliefs. We didn’t pray together, didn’t talk about God, and never went to church. Then suddenly, Akiane started talking about God.”

Akiane was homeschooled and didn’t have babysitters or a television, so she wasn’t iNFLuenced by anyone outside the home, her mother explained. “We were always with the kids, so we knew these words from Akiane about God didn’t come from outside iNFLuences. But suddenly, there were deep conversations about God’s love and His place in our lives, and she described everything in great detail.”

Akiane said her portrait of Jesus was inspired by a vision she had since she was a preschooler. She explained that she would illustrate her visions through poetry and writing, but it became too “complex to describe through words, so I painted.”

She added, “I always think about Jesus and talk about Him. I was searching for a model of Jesus for a long time. When I couldn’t find anyone, I suggested to my family that we pray all day for God to send the right one.”

The family prayed, and then a very tall carpenter—like Jesus, who was also a carpenter—showed up at their door looking for work. Akiane remembered almost fainting when she saw him. “I told my mother that was him. I want him to be my model,” she said.

Inspired by the image in her dreams and using the carpenter as her model, Akiane painted “Prince of Peace,” a painting that is now priceless and recognized all over the world.

“Prince of Peace” showcased Akiane’s vivid and detailed techniques, which were impressive for such a young artist. The painting was sent to an exhibition but was stolen during the journey. A few years later, it was finally returned to Akiane, but when it came back, it was covered in sawdust, which she carefully cleaned off.

The family tried to share Akiane’s spiritually inspired portrait with the world again, but a clerical mistake put the painting up for sale instead of for exhibition. “Prince of Peace” was sold to a private collector, and after a long court battle to get it back, which ended with the painting stored under a dark stairwell, Akiane decided to focus on creating new masterpieces, which received praise worldwide.

Not willing to lose hope, Akiane, whose talents helped lift her family from poverty, believed she would see her “Prince of Peace” again. In the meantime, she Traveled to over 30 countries, helping different groups of people with her art and sharing her message of peace and spirituality. She also kept the memory of “Prince of Peace” alive by selling more than 100,000 prints.

In 2019, something incredible happened.

The “Prince of Peace” painting was put up for sale and purchased for $850,000 by an anonymous family. It’s said this family is “one of the world’s most distinguished and esteemed families.”

The new owners see themselves as the protectors of the original painting. They believe it is their mission to safeguard it for future generations, allowing its story to inspire and touch millions of people.

After almost 20 years, Akiane unwrapped her precious “Prince of Peace.” With tears in her eyes, she dropped to her knees. In a recent CBS interview, she said, “It was amazing to me. To be able to see this in the light again, after so many years.”

She added, “It’s still surreal to me. I’m not gonna lie… Love is so powerful. It will always show up on time for people who need it most.”

“Akiane: The Early Years,” showcasing the famous “Prince of Peace” painting, is now on display at the Belóved Gallery in Marble Falls, TX.

What Might Happen to Your Body If You Start Sleeping Without a Pillow

The first pillows we know of date back to Ancient Mesopotamia. They were made of stone, and only wealthy people could afford them. Unlike ancient stone pillows, the ones we use today are soft and fluffy, and many people can’t sleep without hugging a big cozy pillow. But in fact, sleeping with a pillow may not be the best way to rest, as it can affect your body and your mood.

We at Bright Side understand that it can be difficult to part with your favorite pillow, but sleeping without it has many Health benefits, and we did our research to introduce you to some of them.

1. It prevents back pain.

Many pillows can lead to an unnatural sleeping position and the support they provide doesn’t last long. Although the pillow itself won’t cause your back to hurt, it can worsen many of the underlying symptoms. When you sleep without a pillow, your spine can rest and your body is in its natural position.

2. It helps you to deal with neck pain.

Most pillows can’t help you sleep in the right position, and can even make sleeping postures worse. Bending your neck in any way for a long time will make you uncomfortable, and pillows that are too firm or too soft may lead to neck pain.

3. It combats headaches.

If you’re waking up with a headache or feeling light-headed, your pillow might be to blame. Pillows that are too high cause your head and neck to round forward, and they add more tension to the neck muscles. This might give you a headache in the morning once you’ve gotten out of bed.

4. It may alleviate stress.

If your pillow makes you uncomfortable at night, you might end up tossing and turning in your sleep. The more sleep disturbances you have, the less time your body has for many important functions that occur during sleep. Constant sleep deprivation can affect your mood and thinking skills, and will cause your body to release more stress hormones during the day.

5. It prevents facial acne.

Your skin will thank you for getting rid of your pillow. Your face is normally pressed on your pillow for most of the time during the night. You probably don’t wash your pillowcase every day, and it collects dirt, oil, and household dust on it. All of this can lead to breakouts, iNFLaMMAtion, and premature wrinkles.

6. It may be good for your hair.

If you’re waking up in the morning with dry and tangled hair, you might want to forgo your pillow for the sake of your locks. When you’re tossing and turning at night, your hair is rubbing against your pillowcase, causing it to break. Pillowcases can also absorb the oils from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle.

Disclaimer: Please remember that this article serves for informational purposes only. In order to get professional advice and a diagnosis, please see your doctor.

Do you sleep with or without a pillow? Have you noticed how it affects you?