Sweet Lamb
Artwork Credits
Artist: Daniel C. Smith
Title: Sweet Lamb (2026)
Medium: Acrylic on Plexiglass
Size: 20 × 20 inches
Idea Collaboration: Rachel Anne Galloway
The Story of "Sweet Lamb"
When I was a child growing up, my father Lenny Smith, would go to the Christian Bookstore and buy all of us kids a “Name Card.” They were pretty popular at the time and the card displayed our name with usually a pretty cheesy picture on it and the meaning of our name. He loved bringing us home these cards and we loved getting them. Often my name would be spelled differently from how I actually spell it.
My “Anne” card definition at the time (1980’s) was “Sweet.” So I grew up knowing that my name “Rachel Anne,” meant “Sweet Lamb of God.”
When it was time to create the art for this album I knew I wanted my brother Daniel to paint it. He has created so many incredible pieces of art for both his and my father’s album covers. I actually have a distinctive memory of coming home one weekend from college and helping him to lay down tiny pieces of tile on a huge board on the kitchen table that eventually became the cover art for the Tri-Danielson Albums. Did I mention that is it HUGE?!!!
(Picture of me helping to tile the art)
I lived in France twice during my college years and have always been completely fascinated by the spiritual art in the cathedrals. The architecture of the cathedrals themselves draws you into the magnificence of the presence of God reflecting both the grounding of the body and the enlightenment of the spirt as one. The divine symbolism and beauty of the creativity expressed is simply breathtaking.
I sent this email to Daniel with some intial art inspiration:
“This is a tile from a church in France and I’m sure you’ll recognize the Flower of Life. However what really struck me with this specific one is that you can see the flower both behind and in front of the grid which is symbolic of the “veil” depicting thought and presence behind the veil emerging forth into form which is so incredibly beautiful.”
R: “Was this you?”
D: “No, I wonder if Mary designed that? It’s great!”
It was. My dear friend Mary Brewer had designed this incredible logo for me years ago of a joyful lamb with my Danielson Heart on a carousel. This was the inspiration for the lamb jumping through the veil.
She was an integral part to me encouraging me to finish this album and worked on all of the art layout and type for the LP. She is an incredible friend, musician, and artist.
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
D:
“This first sketch was inspired directly by your examples that you shared. Both Elin and I felt like this drawing feels too much like a fence. Where the flower of life pattern feels more cosmic and has more movement. Let’s discuss!”
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Daniel:
“I want to make the (currently green) wide lines weave in an out of each other like woven ribbon. This direction feels fun to me. I love the flower of life pattern and it might be a direction to add lots of color in those more stain glass vibes. And the sweet lamb makes me so happy. Let’s discuss tomorrow afternoon?”
“Heading to bed but here’s more notes for tomorrow.”
Friday, March 14, 2026
D: “Hey Rachel hope you are doing great! Here’s where I’m at with the sketch. I’m pretty excited about the “woven ribbon” pattern. What do you think?”
R: “OMG me too! I LOVE it! It’s perfect. I’m loving the colors too.”
“Just to compare, I wouldn’t mind seeing the lamb in a slightly darker shade of teal, but I love the joy of all the colors together so it might be the right shade.”
Tuesday, April 15, 2026
D:
“It is happening! The size is 20″ x 20″”
R:
“OMG, it’s incredible! Are you having fun?”
D:
“Oh yeah! It’s going to take awhile, but it’ll be worth it!”
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
D:
“I’m lightening up the dark purple ribbons (see example bottom left) and I’m going to make the light pink more purplish. Try scratching some texture in the lamb fur. Everything needs another coat but… Sweet Lamb is emerging! She is going to bring much Joy to many!”
Monday, June 16, 2025
R:
“WOW Daniel! This is so incredible! The silver is everything!”
D:
“I’m trying to finish it but these details are so important and very time intensive. I’m feeling so excited, it’s getting so close!”
R”
“It looks fluffy soft and like armor too!”
D:
“YES!”
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
D:
“Sweet Lamb and Sweet Elin! Art-making on the back porch.”
“I’ll get it scanned in Philly next week and we can start laying out the album art with Mary and get the manufacturing moving forward.
After I scan it, my museum buddies will help me frame it and pack it up so it arrives safely to you. I’ll run frame stock options by you as I get a better idea of options.”
Unboxing Video
The original video was over 7 minutes long–that’s how well this thing was packed! Thank you John from the Delaware Art Museum!
Video edited by Nora Galloway. Thanks honey!
She's Home!
