Lately, I've been having an image in my mind's eye of Jesus looking directly at me while he's being crucified on the cross.  Over and over again, this image would come to me until I felt that it was something I had to put down onto paper.

While coming up with the sketch for this, the scripture that was my guiding inspiration was Hebrews 12:1-2.  In this verse it states;

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The part that really captured me is the portion that says, "Jesus...who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross...".  It is in this passage that one realizes that each and every one of us is that Joy that was set before Jesus.  This is why I decided that this artwork should be a depiction of Jesus looking directly at the person viewing the art.  It is in this way that I try to let everyone experience the fact that Jesus had His eyes focused upon them as His inspiration to endure the cross for their salvation.

God Bless.