Mixed media OilGraph with blood on wooden panel // 30"x48"
-Private Commission-

[Base image photographed with a Mamiya 645 on Delta 400 film developed in Rodinal. Prints were made traditionally in the darkroom and glued to a custom made wooden panel. Paint is added and removed throughout the process.]

Saint Sebastian (c. AD 256 – 288) was an early Christian saint and martyr. According to traditional belief, he was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He had Sebastian tied to a post and shot full of arrows leaving him for dead. This is often how he is depicted and believed to have died.

But he didn't die. Another saint named Irene, whose husband was also martyred, risked her life to save Sebastian and nurse him back to health. Once recovered, he took no time to surprise Diocletian and give him a public shaming because the guy was an evil murdering tyrant. Then Diocletian had him beaten to death and thrown into a sewer. He is known for being the patron saint of athletes and archers, but I only recently discovered this:

"St. Sebastian was commonly invoked as a protector against the plague. According to historical records, he defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. His association with the plague could be because he survived being shot full of arrows and in pagan belief, pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above."

It goes without saying that this was somewhat of a complicated piece to stage and pull off...

It fought me all last night but finally rested into place about 3AM. I want to thank Scott for allowing me to fill him full of arrows and covering him in blood. And Jola for absolutely hitting the emotional note needed for this piece.