Bytom: Hello, everyone! We are glad to meet here: Andrea, a multi-disciplinary creator & collector, she is invited to discuss crypto and her exciting NFT journey, anything you need to know about the becoming of a crypto artist in the NFT era.
Andrea: Hello there! Thanks for having me!
Bytom: Welcome Andrea, thank you for taking your time today! Let’s start with the introduction. Could you introduce yourself to our community?
Andrea: y’all, my name is Andrea, as mentioned, I am a Canadian multidisciplinary artist, based in Toronto, ON. I got into NFTs around March 2021 and haven’t looked back, it has completely changed my life. I focus primarily on my digital 2D collage work, all created in Adobe Photoshop, I have been doing digital art for only 1.5 years but was a painter for a long time before that, so transitioning from the traditional art background to digital was a big hurdle at first, but it is my preferred medium now. I tailor all of my work to the spiritual realm, astrology and the divine feminine. To date, I have sold 14 NFTs, two of which sold this past weekend and one went into a bidding war. I am now sold out on all platforms, I have some major drops coming in the following weeks, including collaborations. I am also a community leader and moderator for a Canadian based start up called Chestr, where I run bi weekly Twitter spaces to support the NFT community, and emerging artists just starting out.
Bytom: Great experience in art space! I wonder that what made you interested in NFTs? What’s the trigger that inspired you into the NFT world? when did you start your art career? And What made you pursue NFT art?
Andrea: A good friend of mine who is also a 2D collage artist in the same niche as me, introduced me to NFTs around Dec 2020, but didn’t take it seriously till March which was when NFTs really took off. She explained how it’s providing a platform for artists to be properly compensated, including royalties on secondary sales and the potential exposure and opportunités that could come from it, so I didn’t think twice at that point but to give it a try. I have a computer science background, I work full time for a technology company so I have always been one to be immersed learning new technologies and following market trends, so I felt there was nothing to lose in trying it out. I started my art career seriously in April 2020 just after the pandemic was declared, I run my art business side hustle along with my full time job, so it does get tough at times to juggle, NFTs is a lot of work but very much worth what you can gain from it if you put in the work. Seeing that there was potential to be apart of an amazing community was also something that caught my attention, I was told the NFT community was extremely supportive and it is definitely true! It’s like a family, I couldn’t imagine my life with out being apart of the NFT scene and making all the connections I have up to this point. The community is the #1 reason I am still in the scene today. They’re my main drive and motivator.
Bytom: Thanks for your sharing. What type of work do you create the most? Could you show us some of your works? Are there any links or channels we could access to your works?
Andrea: I create for the most part 2D digital collage artworks inspired by the spiritual realm, astrology and the divine feminine. I will share my NFT platform links here, and a few images of my recent work.
https://foundation.app/@crownandpalette
https://opensea.io/crownandpalette?tab=created
The piece you see displayed here with the purple dress, this piece had a bidding war between 4 collectors in a matter of 24 hours, starting price was 0.88 ETH and final price was 1.76 ETH.
Also some of my recent pieces.
Bytom: I bet NFTs played a big role in changing the trajectory of your art career, or did it not? Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to know in your opinion, what determines the value of your NFTs?
Andrea: NFTs have completely changed my life, on a personal and professional level. It has provided my with opportunities that I feel wouldn’t have been achieved so quickly in a traditional setting, the scene is always going at such a fast pace, and I can’t believe how many interviews, blogs I have been featured in, collaborative opps, commissions, etc. That have come my way in a matter of 7 months.
What determines the value of my art, is a big question for sure, my answer is this. When I create a piece, you’re getting an experience. My work is spiritually based, so you’re also receiving an energetic transmission of my essence, my soul in every piece I sell. All of my experience over the years of being an artist, all the time I put into perfecting my craft, it is a major energy exchange and with it being on the Blockchain, you’re also getting a certificate of authenticity, that it is created by me and only me, and you will not be able to purchase it anywhere else, it is rare, unique and one of a kind. I also base it off the market, and many other factors but this is how I determine my prices of each of my works. Some I sell for a lower price not because it’s not worth it but because I want to make some of my work accessible to those who may not have budget as others and want the opportunity to have that energy éxchange and connection with me.
Bytom: Thanks for your answers! Which platform you think is the most convenient, and in general, if we talk about platforms (NFT platforms), what requirements and criteria do you, as an artist, impose on them?
Andrea: Great question, Opensea is the best to start out on if you’re new to the scene as it doesn’t require any invitation, you’re free to mint your pieces anytime you want. Second would be Foundation, this is invite only but is a great platform to have the opportunity to have your pieces be auctioned off and potentially experience bidding wars. Another platform that is on the tezos blockchain called Hic Et Nunc is great for starters who are on a budget as well, as it is much cheaper than Ethereum, and gas prices are much more manageable. Next level up would be to apply to KnownOrigin and Makersplace, which are application only, I was accepted into both over the last few months and will be dropping new pieces there this week and next week. I do feel that there is room for improvement for the major NFT platforms I just listed that are on the Ethereum blockchain to improve on the ever increasing gas fees as this is something that isn’t sustainable for both collectors and creators, I hope in time this can be better.
Bytom: How do you feel about NFT rise and trends. Do you think it will bring more value to the artist and their art
Andrea: I feel that the market is slowing down, as mentioned that the gas fees are becoming to be a big issue for collectors and creators, until this can be improved, I can see the market steadily slowing down more, collectible projects were a commodity for a while, still is but feel it is on the decline and it is good balance of 1/1s and collectibles, I think more platforms will be introduced over time that may shake things up a bit, but like I said, the scene is moving so fast, never know what’s coming next. Being an NFT artist, you to be adaptable and pay attention to the trends, so that you’re ensuring that your project will provide the most value to your collectors. But in general, NFTs gives creators and collectors an opportunity to really connect, even if it is online, and not in person like in a traditional setting, it doesn’t mean that can’t be a possibility, and in fact, more VR events are happening as a result, where it connects everyone through the art, on a much larger scale than ever before. It doesn’t devalue the experience by any means, if anything, it provides opportunités to improve the experience, by your NFT being on the blockchain.
Bytom: Currently NFT is developing and becoming a new innovation in the Blockchain world. However, many Artists/Creators still don’t understand how to create NFT. How does solve this problem? Do you have plans to educate about NFT to Artists outside of Non-Crypto? Thank you.
Andrea: I have a feeling there will be some new platforms in time that will resolve this gap, as it is still very much an issue with many creators who want to get into the scene. I have created some resources myself to educate my audience on social media, since March I have on-boarded plenty of new comers to the space, I also work for Chestr, who’s main mission is to push the nft space forward, democratizing and equalizing discoverability of emerging artists, offering support programs such as gas fee sponsorship; where a creator may not have the financial means to get started and mint their first nft, this program gives them that chance to get going and be discovered by Collectors. I also run bi weekly Twitter spaces with Chestr to help answer questions, mentor new comers, and provide opportunities to share their work as well.
Bytom: Last question. As we all know NFTs are in trend, so what is your future goal after this?
Andrea: My goal for now is to drop my Makersplace Genesis collaborative piece this week, my KnownOrigin Genesis collaborative collection the following week, prepare for one of my pieces to be auctioned off on Suspended Soul, a well respected NFT curation platform that runs 24 hour auctions, and prepare a new piece for a new platform that will be dropping sometime in December. Amongst other projects and collaborations that I have on the go, always have something to work on in the NFT space. I just want to continue to grow, perfect my craft, make new connections, support artists and find more opportunités for my work to be showcased.
