I SPY THE MARTYRS – Something has to die for another to live.

I SPY THE MARTYRS – Something has to die for another to live. Multimedia illustration pelican fish

Ask at this link for the framed original or number 1 of 25 limited edition acrylic enhanced reproductions. Multimedia illustration pelican fish

THE STORY

In 1990, this work began as playful experimentation with black, silver, and white on hardboard. As the forms developed, a narrative emerged. I introduced a single, bold colour — red — and the idea of blood and conviction followed naturally.

The title Blood of the Martyrs arose from reflecting on passion taken to its extreme: when belief, purpose, or desire becomes so strong that sacrifice is inevitable. In every pursuit — religious, political, personal, or even within nature — something must be surrendered. Time, comfort, alternatives, or life itself are the unseen costs behind fulfilment.

The pelican rests, satisfied after the hunt; the fish, an unwilling martyr. This tension reflects the DNA of life itself — gain and loss, vision and sacrifice — bound together in the pursuit of purpose. Multimedia illustration pelican fish

2016 rework

In 2016, I reworked the original painting by introducing the pelican and the fish kingdom, removing the red symbol of blood from the stream and replacing it with silver. In some traditions, silver represents value, refinement, and rich living, which deepened the work’s symbolic direction.

This shift allowed the theme of sacrifice to evolve more quietly. Using water colour pencils, I rendered the fish as unwilling participants in the life-cycle — caught in the ongoing school of life and death that governs creation.

With these changes, the painting that began in 1990 reached its final form in June 2016.

STATUS and MATERIALS

ORIGINAL FOR SALE  * 
Artist and household acrylics, watercolour pencil on gesso primed New Zealand hardwood, and Corflute board. Gloss dammar varnish and acrylic gloss protection. Handcrafted, gutter mount NZ Pinus Radiata frame on NZ particleboard.
* Original and Limited Edition reproductions are supplied with Provenance, coded Authentication of Sale Certificate, and maintenance/care information.

25 LIMITED EDITION “ACRYLIC ENHANCED” CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS
Please ask about the price and sizes. 

75 LIMITED EDITIONS CANVAS REPRODUCTIONS * 
Unframed sizes | 960 x short side – $960  |  650 x short side – $650
Printed on long-life archival canvas and protected with two coats of UV archival spray.
* Stretch-mounted reproductions will incur added charges for mounting and freight.

OPEN EDITION POSTER ART PRINTS * 
Unframed sizes | 594 x short side – $120
* Posters printed on fine art papers and treated with two coats of UV archival protection spray.

FASHION

Images from “I SpyThe Martyrs” may be exhibited on multiple product lines at Fine Art America

SHIPPING

• Includes insurance and package/handling fees.
• The Original and Limited Edition reproductions ship with the Provenance-coded Authentication of the Sale Certificate and maintenance information.
• Poster art prints ship in insured tubes.

AWARDS