artist, “Prince of Peace” was sent to an exhibition, but stolen along the way. A few years later, it was finally returned to Akiane, though during shipping, it came back covered in sawdust, which she carefully removed.
The family’s efforts to share Akiane’s spiritually-inspired portrait with the world again ran into difficulties when a clerical error put the painting up for sale instead of exhibition.
Not willing to give up hope, Akiane–her talents pulled her family from poverty–believed she would again see her “Prince of Peace” and in the meantime, she travelled to more than 30 countries, counseling diverse groups of people about art, sharing her message of peace, and spirituality, along the way. She also kept the memory of “Prince of Peace” alive by selling more than 100,000 prints.
In 2019, a miracle happened.
“Prince of Peace” was put up for sale and purchased for $850,000 by an anonymous family, that’s rumored to be “one of the world’s most distinguished and esteemed families.”
The new family “views itself as the stewards for the original. They feel it is their mission to protect this masterpiece for generations to come, so it can touch millions of more lives with its story.”
After almost two decades, Akiane carefully unwrapped her magnificent “Prince of Peace,” and wiping the tears from her cheeks, she dropped to her knees. Looking at her most treasured work, Akiane recently said in an interview with CBS, “It was amazing to me. To be able to see this into the light again, after so many years.”
She continued, “It’s still surreal to me. I’m not gonna lie…Love is so powerful. It will always show up on time to people who need it most.”
