PRECURSOR/////
On November 15th 2001, a video game titled, “Halo: Combat Evolved” was released to the public for the first time. This game was the vanguard in a wildly successful trilogy leading to Halo becoming one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. The Halo universe is steep in lore, with astonishing art direction, incredible combat, and overall unprecedented world building. It has recently evolved into the $90 million television adaptation “HALO” for Paramount+, showcasing the infamous supersoldier, John-117 (The Master Chief).
BACKSTORY/////
Nick’s introduction to Halo coincided with the release of Halo 3 in 2007. Off the jump, hearing the Gregorian loading theme music, to joining fellow UNSC Spartans online… he was hooked. A ridiculous amount of time was spent playing, exploring, and thoroughly enjoying everything these iconic games had to offer. Above all else was a newfound fascination with Halo's architectural structures that were, as explained in the game’s story, made by ancient hyper-advanced beings… The Forerunners.
codename: RIVERWORLD
painting status: (AVAILABLE)
size: 48 x 48 x 1.5in
An iconic throwback to the Blood Gulch era of early Halo, Valhalla is a stunning take on the wide open, canyon style gameplay its predecessors thrived on. Most notably, each end of the map features a massive Forerunner structure that emits a Plasma beam into the atmosphere. Much of this map takes after the Pacific Northwest landscape that is familiar for the game’s developers, Bungie/343 Industries.
“Valhalla is a beautifully scenic place to use rocket launchers.” - Nick
Easter Eggs:
“117” architectural accent for John-117
“Forerunner “V” on the monolith façade
Covenant Banshee ship in background
PNW Pine trees
Plasma Beam
location: INSTALLATION 00
painting status: (AVAILABLE)
size: 48 x 48 x 1.5in
Skyboxes (aerial scenic environments) in Halo tend to be awe inspiring. Guardian is no exception. Upon loadup, players find themselves amid a Forerunner structure tucked deep inside a radiant misty jungle. Each section of this map features varied coloration allowing a swift learning curve. Players engage in rewarding combat along catwalks, gravity assisted man-cannons, and the ever famous Sniper Ledge. Don’t get caught top mid when someone’s just grabbed Snipes.
“Guardian just looks stunning and plays so well. 2v2’s 1v1’s 4v4’s… All solid.” - Nick
Easter Eggs:
Main door to Blue “Shotgun” room
Sniper Ledge Grav-lift
Holographic Forerunner “G” for Guardian
codename: CYBERDYNE
painting status: (AVAILABLE)
size: 48 x 48 x 1.5in
This is the only Earth-based (non-Forerunner) map in this series. The Pit remains a staple within hardcore gameplay circles, though at face value it is quite simple. Symmetrical, relatively flat geometry, and decent walls for cover, it’s an all around iconic Halo 3 map. The design for the map was informed by studies of military training facilities around the world. Isaac Hannaford, Halo concept artist, stated he wanted the site to appear crafted out of rough plywood, metal, and spray paint. The locale for the facility is in East Africa near Mount Kilimanjaro. For these reasons, the painting here reflects a boxier and more human-made (UNSC) aesthetic.
“Though this map is rather simple, it plays very well and is unique.” - Nick
Easter Eggs:
Three Battle Rifle fired bullet holes in the green padding
K1 (Shotgun spawn) wall decal
Subtle curved roof
Forerunner “P” for The Pit .
(Yes, this isn’t lore accurate, “P” is included for consistency)
codename: SHRINE
painting status: (AVAILABLE)
size: 48 x 48 x 1.5in
Sandtrap provides a video gamified aesthetic parallel to Tatooine or Dune. Needless to say, it is different from other sandy sci-fi locations. Players spawn into this map with violent dusty winds, and stark contrasting light as they embark throughout the half buried structures to seek out vehicles and power weapons. When aiming to make Halo-inspired canvases, one would be remiss to not include this beast of a map. This map is stunning as ever. It feels like you are in an ancient cathedral of sorts. This map evokes a deep sense of awe. Forerunner architecture purposefully evokes this through its impeccable use of scale, texture, repetition, and dynamism.
“Massive brutalist Egyptian-like obelisks & power vehicles? Count me in!” - Nick
Easter Eggs:
Forerunner “S” & “T” for Sandtrap.
Gold plated hieroglyph wall façade
Covenant ship wreckage in background
codename: CHILL
painting status: (AVAILABLE)
size: 48 x 48 x 1.5in
One of the things Bungie/343 (Halo developers) are stellar at is crafting something complex and simple at the same time. Narrows is just that. Truly a three lane highway of a map, but with man-cannons and power weapons precisely balanced to influence movement and garner wonderful sight lines of opponents. This map evokes a nostalgia to early YouTube videos of 360(p) no-scope gameplay montages edited in Windows Movie Maker to blaring Linkin Park songs. LOL WHAT A TIME. One of the things that stand out on this map are the color coated bases that are symmetrical. ‘Narrows’ embodies much that has been memorable in the Halo franchise over the years. Simple Design. Forerunner scale and awe. Great Map movement.
“Even if you don’t play Halo or even know how… Just give someone the controller and watch them walk into a gravity assisted Man-cannon, and they’ll grin ear to ear. Such a simple, yet stunningly perfect map.” - Nick
Easter Eggs:
Motion sensing radar - bottom left
Regenerative shield HUD display
Forerunner “N” for Narrows
Peach + Lilac base accents indicate team spawns
The ”Forerunner Architecture” paintings were produced by Nick Abstract in his Indianapolis studio (Circle City Industrial Complex), February 2022-March 2022. Each piece is hand painted entirely by Nick Abstract himself using straight edges, tape, charcoal, aerosol oil enamel, acrylic paint and more.
CANVAS SIZE: 48in Width / 48in Height / 1.5in Depth
PRICING:
VALHALLA - Available $950 usd
GUARDIAN- Available $950 usd
THE PIT- Available $950 usd
SANDTRAP- Available $950 usd
NARROWS- Available $950 usd
Contact: info@nick.abstract.com or 317 374 8486 for purchase details.
LIMIT: All available pieces are up for sale. Purchasing multiple results in discount.
MEDIUM: Genie Canvas - Assembled and securely built. Aerosol and acrylic paints used, Each piece is ready to hang!
Nick has signed, titled, dated and individually numbered each piece on the reverse.
SHIPMENT: Worldwide Shipping
*Please take note that due to the aerosol coatings some minor dust, and particles could appear embedded in the finish. All pieces have been inspected by Nick and therefore all artworks have passed his inspection. All sales are final. We do not accept returns. In the unlikely event of damage in shipping, it is the buyer’s responsibility to file insurance claim with the post office. We insure, and declare full value of the artworks being sent. We are not responsible for your country import taxes. Thank you for understanding and your support.
“Extra thank you to Bungie + 343 Industries, Ziad, Trent/Loran, Ludvig Wernissage, Genie Canvas, Blaze, Courtney, and all others who helped make this series happen. Much love.” - Nick