The Artist Challenge

Name: Lelan Gimnick
Location: USA
Title: “Restoration of Accountability: Penance & Retribution”
Price of Original: $450 (One f these pieces, “Retribution” is being sold at auction. Contact the Artist at the links below for details)
Size: 15″ H ; 18″ -360 degree clearance needed in every direction for display
Medium: Concrete- various mixtures of acrylic inks, drawing inks, acrylic mediums, acrylic paint, and pastel chalk on concrete
Artist web site:
http://impossible-fantasy-studio.artistwebsites.com/
http://www.impossible-fantasy-studio.fineartamerica.com/
http://www.impossiblefantasystudioandartspace.com/

From Lelan:
Whilst slumbering upon some moonless night, I did walk the realms meant to remain unknown to waking Man. Besieged by fathomless wonderment and fear, I did travel. I came in short order upon a brook, seeming of neither bed nor source. Nor did this stream babble as most, instead issuing forth a hushed, choking gurgle, impressing upon me the notion the eery black fluid flowing therein would prove more similar to blood than water should some soul braver than myself seek to investigate the matter. Lacking discretion and yearning sweet purpose to my meanderings, I turned my head and feet downstream to walk in companionship with this enigma. As I walked, Time itself loosed its hold upon me. I could not ascertain whether I traveled miles or years; no answering clue could be seen to offer assurance whether I traversed this realm under Sol or Luna. Tempting lucidity and in pensive voice I queried, “What Sovereign wields power here?” Though no being appeared which could be seen, some Presence immediately joined me. Though no voice be heard, I was answered, “You must surely know. You serve Him above all. Your service to Him has been measured, and I am to accompany you to your reward.” Hardly had these words permeated my trembling awareness than four beacons, two silver and two bronze, smoldered into resolution at a great distance in the gloom ahead as the utterances of the brook beside grew louder. Unbidden came the knowledge of the nature of this noise. Voices: some visceral and primal, others enraged, others keening in sorrow and resplendent with agony. On we continued, myself, my companion, and the riotous clamor drawing ever nearer the source of those frightening beams. Alongside there presently arose great monoliths having the appearance of altars, atop each the ashen remnants of innumerable sacrifices, and upon each hung a placard bearing a single word. Here, “LUST” and “PRIDE” and “JEALOUSY”. There, “ANGER” and “GREED” and “FEAR”. Said my guide, “Behold that which the Master of this bleak world asks His servants to appease. Your service to Him is to just such an end.” A mighty rumble in the terrain upon which I stood brought my attention back to the lights toward which we had been traveling. Breath began to fail me as two pairs of eyes proved to be the source of the illumination. Devoid of pupil or iris, I found their glow cold and unrelenting; there was no compassion to be found there. Presently, a swirling mist appeared and split in twain, each quantity solidifying around a pair of eyes to grant each visage form. Before me were two seated graven cherubs, splendid and mountainous, holding each a basin. Though unmoving stone, each possessed a horrible intelligence, manifested as a singular radiance which arose from within the depths of the creatures’ compositions. The rising voices coming forth out of the tumultuous stream drew my gaze to the earth between the towering beings. There, at the far end of the brook, such unfortunately formed creatures were arising from what I was now sure was blood, black with Death. By droves, these figures would rise and climb either one of the great living statues to come to settle inside either of the basins they held. The beings held in the arms of the cherub to the left, a shimmering tower of silver-blue with hair and wings of pearl, wore such bittersweet smiles, as if taking comfort and were few. A vast multitude more took places in the arms of the opposite statue, aged bronze in hue with wings and hair of coal. This creature’s eyes smoldered so intensely as more and more people clambered aboard as to seer my own. A great struggle for breath rendered me desperate for relief, as if drowning, and terror did take me. I cried out to my guide, “Spirit, save me!” Cold wind shrieked through me as my body collapsed to the ground and my companion replied, ” In life, you scorn my counsel and shun my assistance when offered.” Unspeakable agony tore through every fiber of my being; as if I were being ripped apart and consumed by flame and feasted upon by a thousand lions all at once. “You spoke to me of reward at the hands of the Master I have served so well! What of that?” Then, in the place from which the voice I had been petitioning came, was a vision of my own reflection, though shriveled and mangled and warped. Again my guide spoke. “You have served no greater purpose than your own means throughout your entire life. Those you see before you are the souls you have encountered in Life and demanded their all from to gain your favor. Those in the arms of the statue to the left are those whom you have wronged and made restitution to, for his name is Penance. The other souls are seated with Retribution, a creature of your own design. Every person who met ill at your hands with no remorse formed another piece of him. I can help you no longer, Master. Behold your reward”

Whilst slumbering upon some moonless night, I did walk the realms meant to remain unknown to waking Man. Whilst slumbering upon some moonless night, I was murdered in my sleep by an agent of one of the many Innocents I had wronged in life..