The Texas-based alternative rock band ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead released their last studio album, XI: Bleed Here Now, back in 2022. The band never split, but frontman Conrad Keely has confirmed that there are no immediate plans to tour or release new music.
In the meantime, he has been exploring visual art. After fronting a rock band for over 20 years, he told us he decided to focus on art because “the current music industry is far darker than any dystopian fantasy painting”.
Before the Battle
“Originally titled ‘pray the gods will force Spotify to pay artists what they deserve’, I like the idea of seeing what happens before a warrior enters the shield wall."
Oracle of Cups
“Another theme I always return to, the Oracle priest holding a goblet. This acrylic painting on a smooth wooden panel provided a challenge in building up layers.”
Leonidas before Thermopylae
“Another before-the-battle scene, showing the Spartan king, who is weary from six days of battle, resigning himself to his fate on the seventh day.”
Prisoner of the Labyrinth
“Being a taurus, I sympathise with poor asterion (the minotaur). Painting monsters is less stressful than humans because you have a lot of leeway with realism!”
Lagertha
“I’m a fan of the vikings TV series (and the sagas). I wanted to portray the famous shield-maiden, lagertha, as also being a protective mother. I couldn’t resist the star wars-esque blue and red lighting.”
You can see more of Conrad's work on his website.
This article originally appeared in ImagineFX. Subscribe to ImagineFX to never miss an issue. Print and digital subscriptions are available.
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