Esther Runck is a contemporary realist painter whose work brings together themes of spirituality, nature, and the human spirit. Working primarily in acrylics, she combines fine, delicate brushwork in her figures with expressive, textured backgrounds that convey both movement and mystery.

Her paintings of Jesus—whether reaching out a hand to the drowning, embracing the broken, praying in solitude, or walking on water through storm and chaos—have become central to her practice, offering images of faith, trust, and divine presence. Alongside these works, her well-known Lion of Judah series embodies strength and majesty in both monochrome and vivid color.

Equally present in her art are contemplative portraits of women by the ocean, where detailed figures meet shifting skies and seas, as well as studies of animals, birds, and flowers that honor the sacred beauty of creation. She also brings her skill in realism to portraits, landscapes, and local landmarks, each piece inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and recognize the threads of spirit woven through everyday life.