The Secret Artist Project (TSAP OGs)

0x4…b5e

ERC1155

**Secret Artist #19 — Hermodice's Revenge** Hermodice ran a long turquoise nail along the edge of the cauldron as she walked past. The shiver-inducing screech echoed around the room. He was going to regret betraying her. She took off her robe and folded it neatly, removing a letter from its pocket before returning to the cauldron. She held his note in her hand one last time, looked at the rushed handwriting of a weak man, and dropped it into its final resting place. This was no time for sentimentality. It was time to let her body and soul take over. Her bare feet took her to a bookshelf filled with more than just reading material: feathers, powders, bottles and herbs. Her hand went straight to the largest jar. It was filled with what looked like sand, or salt. In fact, it was neither. The cauldron drew her back. As she stood over it, emptying the jar, the ends of her lips curled into a smile. The jar was returned to its shelf, and one of the only things she was still wearing was removed — a golden ring. It echoed as it landed at the bottom of the cauldron. Watching her, you might wonder whether she was cold. The dark, stone room appeared to have no light or heat. But Hermodice was far from cold. Heat was coursing through her body, like it always did before she carried out a ritual. And the hand which was now held out over the cauldron began radiating heat, so much so that it began to glow. The cauldron’s contents burst into flame. Yellow. Orange. Gold. The flames spiralled and licked the sides of the cauldron. The room was filled with the roar of the fire and what sounded like the beating of drums. Hermodice began her incantation as the fire swirled into a thick molten gold. She began pulling at it, her fingers unburnt as she began pulling ropes of gold from the cauldron, which began to surround her. Hermodice stood adorned in her golden ribbons and splendour, the goddess and witch-queen who would have her revenge. Everything fell silent. In the cauldron's golden pool, an image began to form. A face. His face. The face of a weak man. A face that was to be his last. A moment of sentimentality threatened to undo her spell, her mind flashing with thoughts of his final words to her. She shook her head. “No” Her fingertips collected the golden rope coming from the cauldron and pulled it taut. It was time. Hermodice screamed and pulled hard on the golden rope. The cauldron burst into flames once more as she collapsed to the ground. *Somewhere, far away, a weak man heard a scream and at once knew who it belonged to. He put his hand to his chest and felt nothing. It was already too late.* *** **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. We want people to buy the art simply because they love it. The Secret Artist Project has no utility and 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 NFT to hang in your home or display in the Metaverse, you also have the opportunity to discover more of the artist’s work. In addition, by holding the NFT and discovering 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 have well-known artists in our collection too!) — to promote art we love and collaborate with artists we trust *** If you have any questions, or if you’re an artist who would like to feature your artwork in the project, please go to https://linktr.ee/merchantofvenus for contact details/socials — The Merchant of Venus, Curator of The Secret Artist Project