I'll Take You Home

This 36X36 inch oil painting on linen was inspired by a quiet moment observed in New York City: a mother carrying her young child toward an elevator at the end of the day. The setting was stark and impersonal—fluorescent light, smooth walls, and hard surfaces—yet within it unfolded a scene of profound warmth, comfort, and care.

I was drawn to the contrast between the tenderness of the embrace and the sterility of the environment. The mother’s posture speaks of physical strain, sacrifice, and perseverance, while the child rests in complete trust. It brought back the memory of hauling children through public spaces as a young mother—how heavy that responsibility can feel, and yet how deeply meaningful it is.

As I worked, the image began to feel symbolic. The elevator became an echo of the parental role itself: the quiet, often unseen labor of lifting, carrying, and helping a child rise. In this sense, the painting reflects not only the daily sacrifices of parenting, but also its sacred dimension—the opportunity parents have to guide, support, and elevate their children as they grow toward their fullest potential and their heavenly home.