ABOUT THIS PIECE

The Ultimate Sacrifice was created as a result of a possible heart attack Brad experienced while working on a commission painting for a church of an angel. In extreme pain, Brad promised God that if He would get him through this experience, he would then paint a piece to glorify his creator. As if it were meant to be, the chest pain resolved and Brad was able to complete the commission piece he was working on. He began creating this piece, 'The Ultimate Sacrifice' the next morning. Not knowing what this piece that he promised God would be, he began painting what he says was an emotional and spiritual pull toward the crucifixion of Christ. This piece was not planned out, not laid out, and not even thought out.  It was Parrish with Mozart's Requiem blasting in the background and a divine spiritual experience that was driving Brad to paint this piece. The piece was painted in one 16 hour sitting. Parrish working from the center out knew he wanted to capture a close up and personal experience with the viewer and Christ in this his last moments.  As he put it, "I was being driven to create a work that I truly believe was not my conception but that of God.  I was the tool. I had already completed the head and torso of Christ and was working on his shoulders and arms when I realized I was not only an observer of this tragic event, I was for some a participant.  I knew what to do next. I began scratching a box around Him.  Here I was saying to Christ what so many had said to him on that fatal day, "Here you are, king of the Jews,  lets frame you in and glorify you! Save yourself!"  I found through my actions and efforts I realized that I had put myself in the position of those who crucified him. I was no better than any of those who mocked and crucified him.  I found myself reaching for the red paint, a representation of Christ's blood that was shed for us. To the crescendo of the background music, I began throwing it at the canvas over and over again. Finally, I was exhausted, and as tears fell from my eyes I knew it was over, I could paint no more". 

Original Painting Painted in: 1996

This Print Was Released in: 1998

Print Image Size: 18"H x 24"W