You’ve seen the extraordinary paintings of Jesus’ life. They’re in bookstores and magazines. They’re all over the Internet.

Jesus -- by Liz Lemon Swindle

They’re the work of artist Liz Lemon Swindle. They’ve won worldwide acclaim – even compared to Italian master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, who refused to paint Jesus with halos or holier-than-thou poses. 

Swindle paints a very human Christ. But where does she get her inspiration?

Several years, construction worker Phillip Miner, raised a Mormon, but who had decided he didn’t want anything to do with religion, was approached in a bookstore by a total stranger, who asked if he would model for her. He was at first skeptical, but accepted her offer.

CLICK to read his story

More from Beliefnet and our partners