Rage of Achilles (Painting as of Sept 22, 2025)

Here is my painting as it looked on Sept. 22, 2025. The deadline was fast approaching for the "Homer" event at Porter Mill,  featuring paintings inspired by the Iliad and the Odyssey.  I wanted to participate because this painting will become part of my series of paintings with literary-themes. This happened somewhat by accident because over the last year or so,  I have participated in a number of shows with literary themes:  "Moby Dick",  "Alice in Wonderland",  "Scarlet Letter" and  a "Midsummer Night's Dream," and now Homer's "Iliad".

This painting represents the shield of Achilles, but instead of fantastical images (as Homer describes it in his poem),  it is decorated with Homer's words:   the opening line of the "Iliad,"  as translated by Robert Fagles.:

"Rage -- Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls." 

On Sept. 22, I added pale blue background to the corners, hoping to evoke the sky.  And I used metallic gold paint around the edge of the shield.  This was now getting very close to completion.