**The Secret Artist #3.1 — Viktor Vercace** “Do I look like I’m having a single-shot espresso kind of morning!?” Viktor Vercace is shouting at his assistant as I walk into the organic coffee shop in the West End where we’ve agreed to meet. “This day cleeeearly calls for a double-shot!” He extends a claw, pointing his assistant in the direction of the baristas behind the counter, who are trying to pretend they haven’t noticed the commotion. Viktor slumps back into the booth as his assistant, a gerbil, scurries away. I walk over and Viktor acknowledges my presence by raising his head and narrowing his eyes. He doesn’t get up. “You’re from the paper, right? Come to get your talons into some of my juicy gossip.” I sit down (deciding that waiting for an invite is probably a bad idea) and point out that there seems to be no shortage of juicy gossip surrounding fashion model-turned-designer Viktor Vercace. “You little birdies do like to tweet, tweet, tweet about all my adventures… and misadventures!" He purrs with delight at his own quip. I feel slightly irritated at being referred to as “little” by Viktor Versace. Putting aside his over-inflated head, he’s a pint-sized-puss compared to this eagle-eyed journalist. I change the subject. He’s wearing a yellow button-up winter jacket with a pink woollen scarf, despite the fact it’s perfectly warm inside. That’s a lovely scarf and jacket combo, I note, and enquire if they are from his new range? “Of course, darling! I’ll get you one of the scarves… JERRY!” He yowls at his assistant, “JERRY! YOU USELESS BUTT HAMSTER! GET THIS JOURNO ONE OF THE SCARVES FROM MY NEW WHISPERING WOOL RANGE!” Jerry jumps with fright, spilling some of the double-shot espresso he’s just been given. He’s now trying to juggle the coffee with his tablet to make a note of his orders, meanwhile spilling more coffee. I look back at Viktor and, though I hate myself for thinking it, concede that it is a lovely scarf, so I keep my beak shut. Viktor looks me up and down. “A LARGE ONE JERRY!” I tilt my head to one side. “Birds of prey have long necks and suit large scarves.” He reassures me. I’m not sure how to respond to this, so I ask whether he’ll be wearing any of his new range on Aberdonia’s Next Top Model? “Ugh, don’t even...” It’s well-known that Viktor has fallen out of love with the show and is only doing it for exposure, but he knows better than to openly criticise it. The falling ratings speak for themselves. A slightly scalded Jerry arrives and gives Viktor his double-shot. His eyes dart over and meet mine. “Can I get you anything m-ma’am?” Ma’am… I probably *am* old enough to be this gerbil’s mother. Nothing, thank you. (Just the scarf…) Viktor sips his coffee and only then do I realise he’s in a bad way. Presumably he’s been out all night, living up to his reputation, partying hard at glamorous parties. I hear he’s thinking of taking a break after the new season of ANTM wraps up? “Yes. Off the forest of Dunth. Got a beautiful cabin by one of the lakes.” Will he be taking his new partner, Pete the Playboy Bunny? “Ugh... Partner? Is that what they’re saying? If Pete can figure out how to pack his own suitcase he can come.” Finding it hard to keep up with someone 8 years his junior? “Pfft… he’s always whining… about nothing and everything all at once.” Our interview seems to be boring him, so I decide to turn up the temperature a bit. Is it true that the catfight at Justin Beaver’s mansion was over Pete. Or was it, I ask, about his refusal to go back to rehab? Viktor hisses. “I’m clean! And I’m not answering questions like that from some scrawny old bird who still uses a notepad…” I pause, quill resting on the page. Was it a late-night last night? “RIGHT! THAT’S IT! JERRY, TELL THIS JUMPED UP JOURNO…” I don’t get to find out the rest of Jerry’s instructions, because Viktor has leapt up in the air, waving his claws around so much that it dislodges a giant bag of what can only be catnip from inside his jacket. It lands with a thud on the table in front of us. Viktor and I both look down at the bag. Jerry lets out a whimper and Viktor looks up at me with a terrified look on his face, arching his back. “...Please don’t print that.” I stand up and look at Jerry. No need to get me that scarf, Jerry. I think I’ve got everything I need… — Hadley Freebird, The Intergalactic Times Viktor Vercace is a unique 1/1 piece from **The Secret Artist Project** *** **The Secret Artists Project** The world of NFTs opens up new, creative opportunities for artists and also for the ecosystem that surrounds them. The Secret Artist Project works to curate innovative artists from inside and outside of the NFT community. We ask them for a piece of their work that has yet to be minted and add it anonymously to our collection. This puts the focus on the art and not the artist. If someone likes the art, they can buy it. Simple. The Secret Artist Project has no Discord, no Telegram, no overambitious roadmap. However, there is one very special bonus you receive with your NFT from The Secret Artist Project, and that is... **The Artist** While their identity remains a mystery to everyone else, the artist's details will be revealed to you after purchasing the NFT — as if you've discovered their signature scrawled on the back of their painting. So now. you not only have the art to display/hang in your little corner of the Metaverse, you also have the opportunity to discover more of the artist’s work. In addition, by holding the NFT and keeping its secrets, you become part of The Secret Artist Project community. Those who hold secrets, hold power... **The Aims of the Secret Artist Project*” — to positively impact the artist by putting their art first — to introduce new artists to the NFT space (though we reserve the right to include a well-known artist too!) — to feature only art we love and collaborate only with artists we trust (i.e. no nasty surprises) *** — The Merchant of Venus, Curator of The Secret Art Project If you have any questions, or if you’re an artist who would like to feature your artwork in the project, please go to The Secret Artist Project collection’s Opensea page for contact details/socials https://opensea.io/collection/the-secret-artist-project
Name
The Secret Artist #3.1 — Viktor Vercace
Owner
0xC56c9FFC4465598A7872484A3a76Cae67eE42810
ID#81034769…168321
Rarity
N/A