The “Follow Me” Collection: 21 Moments of Faith

By Gregory Michael Maness

Inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, The Follow Me Collection represents a deeply personal journey of faith expressed through art. Over the course of 2024 to 2025, I specifically created 21 unique mixed media pieces of Art—one for each time Jesus profoundly said, “Follow Me” during His miraculous life on Earth. These words hold a timeless and transformative power, calling each of us to walk in His footsteps and embrace His teachings.

After His crucifixion, death, and resurrection, we are reminded that following Jesus means learning to carry our own crosses. It is a call to live with purity, awareness, and goodness, trusting that by doing so, we will be offered the Keys to the Kingdom and the promise of eternal life in Heaven.

Unique Artistic Mediums: Cabernet Sauvignon Paint / Red Cedar Boards and Metal Crosses

Several pieces in the Follow Me Collection were created using a groundbreaking concept I developed—a paint made from thickened Cabernet Sauvignon wine. This medium was inspired by the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread, spices, and red wine with His disciples as a symbol of His sacrifice and love. Through a meticulous process, I layered this Cabernet Sauvignon wine-based paint onto wooden boards and 3D canvases, creating rich, textured artworks with a dramatic and timeless effect. The deep red hues remind us of the blood of Christ, shed for the salvation of all mankind.

Several of the “Follow Me” artwork pieces were crafted using milled and polished Red Cedar, a wood native to the Blackwater River where it was sustainably harvested. I chose this particular wood not only for its natural beauty but also for its symbolic meaning—it is also indigenous to Lebanon and Israel, forming a spiritual thread between nature and the sacred. Each tree reflects the unique and personal nature of God’s love for us all. * Welded metal crosses —hand-forged from aged railroad spikes and rustic enlarged mails—were added to the cedar, representing the agony and weight of Christ’s sacrifice. The rich texture of the wood, combined with the intricate blend of color and metals, brings a powerful sense of depth, complexity, and reverence to each piece.  

Why I Paint: A Calling from God

I don’t paint for myself. I paint because God gave me the mindset, ability, and vision to do so. My art is an expression of faith—a way to share the greatest love the world has ever known.

This collection, simply titled “The Follow Me Collection”, is numbered 1 through 21. Each piece holds its own story, yet they all come together as a testament to the enduring message of Christ’s call to humanity: “Follow Me.”

Final Thoughts: Sharing God’s Greatest Gift

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16).

 As an artist, I believe it’s my responsibility to continue sharing God’s love through my work. This collection is not just art; it’s an invitation to reflect on the call to follow Christ, embrace His teachings, and carry His light into the world—so that we all may walk the path that leads to everlasting life in Heaven.  

Thank you for joining me on this journey of faith and creativity.

~ Artist Gregory Michael Maness