On Thin Ice: NFT Artist Interview

Natalee

2 years ago

On Thin Ice is a visionary artist creating surreal detailed digital photo manipulations/animations in Photoshop, exploring human behavior and the crucial importance of understanding ourselves. Her first drop on Nifty Gateway is June 21st curated by the Mad Pups.

Can you tell us about your background and what lead you down the path to becoming an artist and ultimately experimenting with NFTs?

I started taking photos when I was 15, after I joined after school photo club and since then never had doubted that I will be a photographer. At age 20 started working as a assistant for lead editorial and commercial photographer. In few months was already doing my own photo sessions. In 5 years was at TOP10 Lithuania’s editorial photographers. But industry I was admiring while I was younger, wasn’t aligning with my values anymore, and two years later joined young artists incubator “Fluxus” in Vilnius. This is where I had wonderful and very important time experiencing bit of bohemian artist life and freedom to create. Made “316 portraits for our selfs” exhibition and short movie “Dream”, few light and wire sculptures. I met my future husband there and we decided to move to UK if we want a chance to live out of our passions (he is a DJ). My first job was giving out club event leaflets at night in London… Never had a professional job here, never had enough of confidence as self tough photographer, with no post school education and huge language barrier. Our first priority was to support our son. In 12 years together, we never had family holidays, as all the extra money would go in to our passions and setting up our home studios. I was getting ready … My plan was to open portrait studio and having stable income to start slowly create art. But Covid hit. And then company I was working for the last 8 and bit years bankrupted and I lost my job at the beginning of 2021. And about same time I started noticing all the NFT thing on internet. So I decided to give a try for 2 months working full time on that, and later if needed part time. I thought that timing of all what happed is crazy, and I will be forever sorry if I will miss this opportunity. Everything was just saying “There is no better time than now”. 16 months latter I am still creating NFTs full time and giving my best 100 percent to stay, and live my dream to be an artist.

Link to Website:

https://linktr.ee/oonthinice

Social links:

https://twitter.com/oonthinice

NFT marketplace links:

When Did You Mint Your First NFT? What Platform Did You Choose And Why? My first mint was 05.05.2021 on Open Sea. At that time I haven’t a lot of choice and friend suggested it so…

Can you tell us one thing you cannot live without?

When my son asks me “Mum, do you need anything?” I say “peace and quiet”. Of course it goes after my son, husband and my cats. :DDD But, yes, I love quiet time when I can simply think. There is a massive 12 years gap between my art creations, not only because life circumstances, but also I needed time to think, what I want to say with my art, and is it needed. And also what is the purpose of me as an human, or individual, or character? Whats going on with the world, and who am I? Lots to think :DDD But I am very happy I took time. It was life changing. So now any time I have chance just to be by myself in peace an quiet just to think about stuff its like a never ending favorite dessert for me.

Who is your favorite artist(s) (Non NFT)? What about their style resonates with you?

I haven’t seen a lot (enough) of art to start choosing favorites, but from what Ive seen I will mention a few. First would be Ash Keating. He creates those massive color dripping / blending murals, and first of all I would love to do it myself. His workflow is so messy, but controlled, satisfying and meditative. And result – most tasty colorful voids. They are loud but also radiates some sort of quiet tension and minimalism. I am just in love with his creations. My recent abstract art discovery was Eric Minter. Probably colors and especially acid bright colors are my week spot. It’s funny because I am mostly creating B&W art. But I think its just for now. Probably my favorite art forms would be kinetic art, light and sound installations. I hope one day I could visit space installed by TUNDRA collective. Or any that sort of installation what has ability to lift you from your normal day for a moment and let you experience something magical.

Who is your favourite NFT artist? What makes this artist unique?

This one easy. Reuben Wu. He is unique for me personally, as his creations expanded my photographers brain, on how I can look and create using old tools inventing new things. Massive inspiration and impact.

What made you pursue NFT art?

(I would call it digital/digitalized art locked in NFT). Freshness of it. New community, new way of using new technology, no rules, bunch of artist, almost equal opportunity for everyone, chance to survive out of art, chance to work from home, do what I like the most – create.

What is the one piece of NFT art you wish you had purchased but missed out on?

Art vise? None. I am not a “collector collector”, investing in art is a serious job, requiring lots of research, bit of luck, very steady nerves, and of course taste. My all attention is on creating art .Yes sometimes I collect what I like and what I can afford, but not as an investment. I believe there so many talented artists, and everyone will have their chance to find their Mona Lisa, me including. So no, I don’t feel like I’ve missed something.

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? Why this location?

New Zealand. Because from a distance it looks like a paradise, except earthquakes. Also Canada. The only minus there is grisly bears 🙂

What are your other passions besides art? Why?

Nature, birds, plants, garden, thinking, writing. These things just makes me whole. Walking quietly through field or forest, watching birds, being surrounded by plants, just feels so right, so peaceful, like I meant to do that, to live like that.

Do you make other forms of art?

I like to experiment with sounds. I like making textiles. But also I probably don’t know where is the line between hobbies and experiments and where art starts. I have huge passion trying different creative mediums out, and getting to know how other artists/creators/ creative professionals are working. Their tools, techniques, cultural arts. Thats why I am exited about my future as an artist, because I am sure that I will not be working only on one art form.

How did you come up with your specific style?

Hmmm… I don’t know, just a lot of photography editing I guess, and choosing mainly B&W. I would say I have slight OCD which helps me to go crazy on details, and not to avoid very repetitive editing.

How has your style evolved over the years?

I am experienced enough photographer, but fresh artist. So my style is still evolving, and anyone who been following me, has opportunity to witness that. And I hope my artistic journey will be as much exiting for them as it is for me .

What is coming in the near future?

More colors, more animations, more experiments. Fasten Your seat belts.

If you could collaborate with one artist who would it be?

Banksy.

Do you have any upcoming drops?

Yes! Mad Pups curated drop on Nifty Gateway on July 21, 2021. “ETHER” is a five piece artwork. I used stop motion method to create animations and created different soundscapes for each part. I hope You will enjoy it, as I am really exited it is finally finished.

“UPROOTED” – 2ETH

https://knownorigin.io/gallery/11187000-uprooted

What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that? Here in NFT space? Not listening to my own gut when it comes to choosing people. Yes, theres is thousands of creative, friendly, passionate people here, but also this place is turning around big money, and big money attracts lots of shady and dangerous characters. Be brave, be kind, but trust must be earned. Do not listen and belief all the influencer’s and NFT preachers straight away, even if they are labeled as a community builders, famous artists. It is easy to fell after FOMO. Double triple check, and do You own research, and do not invest more than You can afford to lose.