On the doorstep of a humble abode, Master Occultist Erie Oldfather presents his young scribe, Benj, his "Ill-Begotten Reward." But the gold and treasures he holds offer little comfort, for they are the fruits of a trade he may soon regret. This painting, the fourth in my "Summoner and Scribe" series, tells the story of a dream abandoned and a pact made with the infernal.
“Ill-Begotten Reward“ 24×18 Oil on Panel 2025
Summoner and Scribe,” tells the story of Benj, a melancholy young lad who gives up on his dream of being an author of children’s tragedies to take a good-paying but unsatisfy job as a scribe for a Master Occultist…who specializes in the summoning of demons.
Here, we see Erie Oldfather paying Benj the promised gold and treasures for his scribe work—for penning a grimoire of demonic occult lore, sinister spells, and dirty jokes. Benj doesn’t feel very good about bringing the diabolical text into the world and wishes he would be paid for his melodic, creative writings instead. As uneasy as Benj feels, he can provide for himself and his wife, Dovie, who sadly was blinded after drinking too much coffee (a cautionary tale in itself!).
Here it is in the frame!
In the painting, I wanted to capture Benj’s internal conflict by showing his wife Dovie through the odd cutaway and off-perspective of the house. I wanted to show their couple’s melancholy financial situation through the dark blue-gray colors they are wearing.
Erie Oldfather, Master Occultist
The “Summoner and Scribe” series is inspired by the idea of setting aside one’s dreams or choosing a good-paying career over a creative and fulfilling one. Artistic pursuits vs financial security. Personally, being an artist is VERY hard and VERY demanding, and sometimes I consider doing something that pays better, like computer programming. Morally, I feel that painting--even painting demons--is pure, whereas I might feel some reservations about spending my life working with computers. …it’s very tempting though. I used to bartend, and I felt this way all the time.
ORIGINAL AVAILABLE: “Ill-Begotten Reward” 24x18 Oil on Panel 2025
Summoner and Scribe Series 4 of 9.
If you're drawn to stories of moral ambiguity, the clash between dreams and reality, and the allure of the occult, this painting might be the perfect addition to your collection. Visit my store for inquiries!
What do you think? Does Benj deserve his "Ill-Begotten Reward"? What would you do in his situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!