what are nft’s?

‘NFT’ stands for None-Fungible Token

• Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique, digital items with blockchain-managed ownership.

• Think of it as a way to create ownership of digital content.

• Artists of any medium can mint their work as NFT’s, and sell it on marketplaces like SuperRare, Zora, or LooksRare

• You usually need a wallet + some cryptocurrency like Ethereum or Tezos.

• There are different blockchains that use different cryptocurrencies. Each blockchain has it’s pros and cons.

You can display and trade NFT’s like physical art.

You can buy NFT’s on marketplaces like:

• SuperRare

  • A curated, boutique platform for 1/1 artworks.

• Zora

  • An open platform that indexes other smart contracts.

• NiftyGateway

  • A curated platform for multiple-edition projects.

Helpful Links:

• Getting Started with a MetaMask Wallet

• A Beginner’s Guide to NFT’s by Sophie Sturdevant

• Learn Web3 with Protein

• The Sky is not Falling by Sterling Crispin

• The Ethereum Gas Tracker

• How to clear a STUCK transaction

This page is linked via the artwork you see below, titled “how to make art” - it explores some ideas and inspirations from the mid-2020 cryptoart area.

how to make art:

or, where do ideas come from?

20s @ 60fps

2048px 2048px

Blender 2.91, Octane Render

this piece is inspired by a few of my favorite artists and works of 2020.

note: There are oodles more artists that I am inspired by! For the aesthetic purposes of this work as well as my technical capabilities, only the artists directly referenced within the work are discussed below.

Glass Crane x Pak - “Thirds”

Glass Crane and Pak’s surprise collaboration was a highlight of the year for me. Glass Crane’s use of psychedelic and surreal imagery solidly balances with Pak’s signature use of negative space and masterful lighting. These features culminate in a heavyweight piece that showcases splashes of color to satisfy the mind’s eye. In my work, the white, black, and iridescent spheres that surround the central characters serve as a nod to “Thirds”.

Smeccea- “Cloud Chaser”

Smeccea is a 3D motion artist. I found her work “Cloud Chaser” to embody the epitome of serenity. Specifically, her use of smooth swaying movement in various foliage and greenery as well as her use of focal-point mirrors allows for meditative reflection by viewers to be had. In an attempt to emulate the tranquil mood of Smeccea’s piece I have included a floating and rotating mirror in my work.

Sh1elds

Sh1elds is a multimedia artist whose collective content I deeply relate to. A recurring aspect of his works that I found most innovative was the incorporation of system failure images and notifications which construct a sort of “meta-work” within each piece. I honor this concept by inserting a screen-recording of my work-in-progress screens into the background of the work. 

FvckRender 

FvckRender’s concerted attention to movement, composition, and color theory are other-worldly. I frequently take inspiration from his aesthetics, branding, and social media presence. In my work, I endeavored to focus on the expression and movement of the characters while maintaining minimalist positioning and textures to celebrate FvckRender’s artworks. 

Baron Lanteigne & toomuchlag - ‘Satoshi’s Coin’ & ‘#metawork3’

This year, both Baron and toomuchlag implemented inventive forms of a “built-in” feature in their artwork. Lag’s “Satoshi’s Coin” and Baron’s #metawork series share a theme of ingenuity that redefines the uses of blockchain application technology as well as meta-commentary within the crypto-art space overall. To continue this trend in my work I inserted a QR code that links to this write-up and is most likely the reason you’re reading this.