Psalm 33:12
My mission has always been much deeper than painting portraits.
Through Project Compassion and my artwork, I hope to honor the lives of America’s fallen heroes, bring comfort to their families, and remind people that every life carries meaning and value in the eyes of God.
What began as a single painting became a lifelong calling to preserve memory, share compassion, and encourage others to live with faith, gratitude, and purpose. Every portrait is created with love, prayer, and deep respect for the sacrifice made by these heroes and their families.
I believe art can help heal hearts, preserve legacies, and bring people closer together through remembrance, truth, and faith.
“Asking God for a blessing means being thankful for what He’s already given you and not being wasteful.”
Kaziah Hancock
“Freely ye have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
“They gave us their lives. We give them our hands.”
Project Compassion
Project Compassion was created from a desire to serve families who had lost someone they deeply loved.
Over the years, thousands of portraits have been painted to honor fallen service members and preserve their memory for future generations. Each portrait represents a real person, a real family, and a story that deserves to be remembered.
Families from across the country have shared letters, photographs, memories, and personal stories that helped shape the spirit behind every painting. Through this mission, I have witnessed both heartbreak and incredible strength, and it has continually reminded me how important compassion truly is.
My hope is that these portraits not only honor heroes, but also inspire people to love more deeply, appreciate life more fully, and grow closer to God through gratitude and remembrance.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
One of Kaziah Hancock’s earliest major speaking engagements took place in the heart of the Pentagon around the summer of 2007. Through a media company connection, she was invited to deliver her thoughts directly to generals inside the Pentagon.
Not long after, she was invited to speak at a Sheriff’s Convention in Southern Utah. At first, Kaziah tried to get out of attending.
“He said, ‘Don’t you know you’re the hottest speaker in town?’”
“And I said, ‘No, I don’t know that.’”
He continued asking what it would take to get her there, and finally Kaziah answered in her own honest and humorous way:
“Fine. Have a sheriff pick me up. I want the backseat to myself because I’m bringing a pillow and blanket. I’m always tired because when I’m home, I’m working. Let me sleep on the drive. Feed me, put me up, and bring me back home safely, and I’ll do it.”
“He said, ‘Okey dokey.’ So that’s how that happened.”
On February 20th, 2008, Kaziah spoke at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During that event, a man from West Point sat in the audience listening closely.
“My God, we have to get this woman to speak at West Point.”
Later that year, on September 11th, 2008, Kaziah Hancock became a guest speaker at West Point.
What made Kaziah stand out was not polished speeches or carefully rehearsed accomplishments. It was the way she connected to people through stories, conviction, humor, and heart.
While speaking at the Air Force Academy, Kaziah shared a story about kids helping her work goats on the ranch.
“There are the wannabe cowboys who take a wild swipe at an animal and barely miss it, expecting me to be impressed.”
“Well, I’m not impressed.”
“Then there’s the real cowboy.”
“He sees that little sucker and says, ‘Okay. You think you’re fast? Guess what? You’re going down.’”
“And when the moment comes, he grabs it, even if he gets flipped through the mud, crud, and blood.”
“He may come up missing a tooth, but guess what? He’s got it.”
Then Kaziah turned the lesson toward the cadets in the room.
“And I said, ‘That’s how I see you guys.’”
The room erupted. Cadets lined up afterward to shake her hand. Her message resonated because it was raw, honest, and deeply personal.
Kaziah’s message has never centered around status or recognition. It has always been about courage, faith, grit, and the willingness to stand for something greater than yourself.
“It was wonderful.”
“Because there are pretenders... and then there are the people with guts, grit, and the determination to get things done.”
Kaziah Hancock also spoke briefly when she received the Daughters of the American Revolution award and later spoke at the Utah Arts Gala.
“You may be able to find some of those online.”
At the Air Force Academy event, a goblet award was presented to Kaziah by Mary Kaye Huntsman, wife of the governor at the time.
“They showed the Karol 11 video behind me while people received awards.”
“One person had donated $20 million and people barely reacted.”
“But when Mary Kaye Huntsman asked me to stand and say a few words, the entire place stood up.”
Kaziah remembers the moment vividly, especially hearing what her sister later told her.
“My sister said it was a standing ovation for three or four minutes.”
“She said that woman’s $20 million donation didn’t give her the heart, guts, or love for God and freedom that Kaziah had.”
“That was amazing.”
Even with the recognition and invitations, Kaziah has always remained grounded in what matters most to her.
“But I’m not going to go beg people to invite me.”
“If they want me, pay my way there and get me home safely.”
“I’ll speak for free. I’ll risk my life. Just get me there and back safely.”
“That doesn’t seem like too much to ask.”
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