"Unwinged Victory" by Steven Russell Black

This was part of Steven's "Drawing A Day" series and penciled on 11"x17" toned paper. This is what he wrote about this piece:

What's in a title?

Titles of artwork are interesting things. For the longest time I dismissed them, in favor of the piece standing on it's own. I have always said "There shouldn't be a bible next to the piece to tell you how great the piece is" and I stand by that.

Lately however I find them extremely useful in setting the mood or tone I want the piece perceived in. For instance the above drawings original title was "Every time you hear a scream an Angel loses its wings" That is a really fun title, but not the mood I wanted to set. The mood of that title is better suited for an 80's metal band lyric. "EVERY TIME YOU HEAR A SCREAM.....(enter guitar solo slashing here)....AN ANGEL LOSES IT'S WINGS".... (more metal and thrashing of heads along with the hot chick rolling around in feathers). Fantastic imagery but not where I want to lead you with the addition of the title.

I am going for more classical beauty and emotion as it is applied to modern subjects that will fit safely within the sci-fi fantasy genre, but keep it's class while still being bad ass and sexy. So I thought of classic pieces and referenced fine art works with the title "Unwinged Victory" referencing "Nike of Samothrace" and "Winged Victory". A piece which itself is commonly referred to by either name.

This drawing as a finished painting would fit nicely in the frame work of a Magic:The Gathering card.

"Unwinged Victory"
Target creature loses the ability of flight for this turn.
So a given piece stands on it's own aesthetic merits, but if I can lead you around the piece in a certain frame of mind to set the tone, great. Titles are useful creatures after all.