If you purchased a copy of Katerina Mertikas’s painting in memory of Nathan Cirillo, you’ve helped to raise tens of thousands of dollars to benefit the fallen sentry’s family.
Mertikas, the Ottawa artist, made a painting of Cpl. Cirillo and his young son shortly after the corporal was shot in the back and killed by a would-be terrorist at the War Memorial in Ottawa in October. Koyman Galleries, where Mertikas shows her work, created copies of the colourful painting, and pledged all profits to a fund to support Cirillo’s young son, Marcus. Hundreds of people from across Canada purchased copies, and during the holiday period $50,000 was deposited into the Cirillo fund.
Mertikas has heard from many buyers who were moved by the image, and by the Cirillo story.
“Some kids are using the image as the computer screen saver,” the artist says. “One 12-year-old boy told his mom this is his 9/11. Others buy it to support the family, in particular Marcus Cirillo, others in memory of their own family that had served or are serving. I love hearing the stories. I especially liked that the veterans felt important and honoured.”
Copies of the painting at still available at Koyman Galleries, 613-526-1562, or koymangalleries.com.
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