NFT artists
Showdeer NFT Artist Interview Part 2
Showdeer was one of the earliest NFT artists we were able to interview. His unique style have quietly made him one of the strongest NFT artists in the space. To date he has sold 540 of his 1,000 creations. Currently the collection has a floor of .5 ETH and total volume traded closing in on 300 ETH. We were lucky enough to sit back down with him to learn more about what has changed over the last 6 months!.
Hi Chris! What has changed since we last spoke?
Hi Mal! A lot of crazy stuff has happened and changed in the last six months since we last spoke back in April! Since then I sold my Genesis to a collector and friend Foobazzler for 20 eth ($64,000). I was featured on the front page of OpenSea twice with a now verified collection. The President of TIME Magazine Keith Grossman contacted me directly and picked up two of my pieces off secondary. My collection continues to sell out every drop even during bear market which people seem to be astonished by. Maybe scarce and quality artwork can outsell aped in community pfp 10k projects? My collection also reached a milestone of $1 Million volume traded. Which to me is just insane.
What new art are you working on and plan to work on?
I recently finished my first minted Genesis piece with Foundation. This is the first fully new Showdeer piece that isn’t part of the main 1000 collection on OpenSea from 2008 – 2020. It shows a new direction I am moving in. I do have OpenSea Special Edition 100/100 pieces I have created and remixed from older pieces but this 1/1 is completely new. I have also finished my second Foundation piece which is the most elaborate piece of digital art I have ever made. Also the most meaningful.. It deals with feelings I have experienced in life with things like anxiety and the chaos and beauty of this world. The Genesis piece is inspired by this Digital Renaissance and the possibility of a new world and currently on loan with Mint Gold Dust for an auction at NFT NYC. I am extremely excited to drop it and more on Foundation and new art on bigger platforms in the near future.
What do you see for yourself and your art as it grows?
I’m excited to expand my art into a more meaningful and personal direction. Where the collection of Showdeer pieces made in the last twelve years did tap into ideas and feelings I had in small moments of life, these larger more elaborate animated pieces will expand on bigger ideas and feelings including anxiety, depression, excitement, sadness, and beauty.. Social behavior and patterns, ideas of being appalled by greed and toxic human behavior, evolution, spiritualism, esotericism, and all of the feelings and ideas we experience which can sometimes be too much to deal with or articulate verbally. Or at least for me. The pieces will be reflecting on society as all great art can and should. As well as giving homage and being inspired by the master painters of classical art, and art movements like Surrealism, Expressionism, Dadaism, and Contemporary Art. I also am very excited to dive into 3D rendered art and animation.
What do you see for the future of the NFT space as a whole?
I think we will see a lot of ups and downs and possibly a total crash and complete revamping of the system of selling NFTs by early 2022. Maybe even with eth 2.0 but who knows. Perhaps a more efficient network and platform will emerge. Yet I also see NFTs becoming more popular and accepted by the mainstream. Even to the point that everything will be an NFT. And it will completely change how we interact with our world. The metaverse and the world will become more symbiotic. NFTs are just the building blocks of something bigger. The nodes of a larger structure of physical reality, metaverse, augmented reality, a decentralized economy and eventually true AI all interacting together in harmony with us. Everything in the new world will have a smart contract like NFTs that are connected to the real world which we will also discover is just as artificial as the metaverse and AI is only a reflection of ourselves. Meaningful and important art and artists will rule and be celebrated and remembered with history while most cash-grab 10k pfps collections will turn to rubble and dust on the floor or just blend in homogeneously into our culture and system.
Any advice you can give to aspiring artists wanting to excel and succeed in the NFT scene?
Make great art. Make art that says something and makes people feel something. Actually put in the work. Stop checking Twitter. Stop complaining and comparing yourself to others and creating drama for yourself. Work on your time management. Spend the time even if it takes you years to get good. When you follow your passion the universe works in your favor because you are doing what you’re supposed to be doing here on Earth. If that is art, put in the work and get good. Not good, but great at doing it. Many doors will open for you to get where you need to go just by putting in the work. Might not even be NFTs but it probably will. If it is, be patient. Keep making art until your style finds you. Don’t follow trends but be inspired by others. Let your authentic voice shine through your art. Help other artists as you grow and expand.
Any other artists we should check out?
Yes! Check out my homies here in Portland Zachary Winteron and Pop Wonder! Also friends Toppy Eton (amazing digital repaints of classical paintings with tons of allegory blended with social ideas and references to the meme universe), Empress Trash (fun and important art and helps donate money to orgs), Dario.eth (Super fun illustrations representing interesting people of NY), Perpetual Dream Maze (beautiful collage pieces), OpusOuch (next level animated Digital Renaissance art), and Dogs Unleashed Project (Super smart 11 year old artist creating art to help save dogs) and so many more! Check out my retweets on my Twitter!
Any upcoming things we should know about?
New 1/1 pieces minted on Foundation, I’m also currently on #0538 of my 1000 piece Showdeer collection on OpenSea.. I drop every Sunday around 2pm (pst). Best of the 2500 pieces I created in the last twelve year span. Possibility of working with some bigger platforms in the near future as well. Thank you Mal!!
MikeGrillMadeIt NFT Artist Interview
We’re excited about this interview. Michael (Michael Grill) is from Hampton Bays New York but currently live in Vancouver BC.
Michael, Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed, please tell us about your background.
I owe all of my creativeness to my mom. She constantly bought me Legos, Models cars, Painting / coloring sets. I was always drawn to the creative side of life. My senior year of high school was the first time our school introduced a graphic design class. I took it with all of my friends but actually fell in love with it. As I transitioned into college, I wanted to go to a design school but didn’t have a strong enough portfolio to get in. I ended up going to St. John’s University in Queens where I majored in Advertising & Marketing with a minor in Graphic design.
I have designed websites, logos, posters, magazine pages and more. But always for clients, friends and family. I design for myself in my spare time.
As an active member of the cannabis community the magical strains of the world have helped me conceptualize and cultivate art that makes me feel incredible. If you’re not designing for yourself then you’re not doing it right.
Here is a short and sweet description of Da Burning Bush Collection:
A ripple in time where Renaissance meets the modern day we live in today. Although times have changed our behaviors stay the same. Old or new there is a medium to be discovered. https://rarible.com/mikegrillmadeit
One thing you cannot live without?
Music – Music has been such a huge influence in my mood and creative process. Throwing on a the10 min deadmau5 strobe set, Heavy Metal or my favorite rappers (Kid Cudi, Lloyd Banks, Waka Flocka, Gucci Mane, 50Cent & more)
Who are your favorite artists?
For NFTs I love Slime Sunday and or DotPigeon . I also love Chemical Messiah. The Dirt god is not only an unreal artist but his marketing tactics are next level. He has shown me the way and has been such a supportive friend in the industry.
What made you pursue NFT art?
My friend Ryan Dargan has always been ahead of the tech times. He knows I always wanted to be an artist and he saw this as the perfect opportunity to turn my hobby into some smart investments.
What is the one piece of NFT art you wish you had purchased but missed out on?
Trevor Jones Bitcoin Angel – I’m a huge fan and this was a staple collectible that set the world on fire. Excited to try and grab his next drop.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
– Egypt, I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids
What are your other passions besides art?
Digital Marketing – I’m a fulltime Marketing mad man who loves taking someone’s dream and turning it into reality. I have grown a client from 0$ in sales to 1.6M in 27 months. This inspired me to branch out on my own and help as many people as I can. I eventually want to me a professor so I can continue to take all of what I’ve learned in my years to come and help the next generation find what motivates them and how they can help others in the digital space
Do you make other forms of art?
Music – I’ve dropped a mixtape named after my Cat (Milli) called MilliSZN and also have an epic music video I have never released to the public as I was scared at the time to get fired from my job. Maybe I’ll drop it as an NFT!
How did you come up with your specific style?
My style has been adapted through various times in my life but the most influential time was when I lived in Rome for 7 months. Looking at all statues and famous biblical / renaissance style paintings have always caught my eye. I started to layer modern day concepts with historic works of art. The more layers and time the finer the details. With A.D.D. my mind is always running so an idea or concept can sometimes fall apart mid design and then inspire a new concept. Almost like I have to try and fail to find what best suits my imagination.
How has your style evolved over the years?
My style has changed over the years as I’ve learned to slow down and let 2-3 days pass before calling it finished. But I think my style will forever evolve as I see more inspiring art it helps me formulate a new style technique but at the end of the day the concepts will stay consistent.
What is coming in the near future?
MORE ART – I plan to keep creating as this was a hobby for me but now more than ever the NFT space has jump started my imagination. Everything I see if an NFT now lol I plan to utilize my marketing experience to introduce more ways to collect and eventually help others find their own strategy that works best for them. Like how I build clients websites with amazing marketing road maps. I want to help artist find their target audience and develop a strategy to grow. I also want to collaborate with more musicians and animators o help bring my designs to the next level.
If you could collaborate with one artist who would it be?
Alotta Money – I believe our minds work in a similar manner, I’m obsessed with his style and I’m always excited to see what his next concept will look like. You can never expect the same thing he wows me every time.
What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that?
My greatest failure was under valuing my time when starting my business. I kept low balling myself so I could get the job. I was not okay with being told no if my pricing wasn’t in line. I ended up doing 10X the work just to please clients. This burnt me out where I started to produce poor quality work. I learnt that its okay to say NO and to stay firm on your pricing. This translates to the NFT space as we create and set prices and sometimes think its not good enough so ill just keep lowering it until its good for someone. WRONG Stay firm and hold your ground. Instead of taking that focus on lowering your prices, focus on meeting the right people, working harder on your art but never under value it. If you don’t believe in yourself then no one will.
Anything else you’d like to share?
My DM’s are open! I want to help anyone and everyone whether its tips and tricks on how I’ve sold my art. How to get noticed by big whale collectors, networking and more. Just like those who helped me get started In this space, I want to give back to the community and help others achieve their goals inside or outside the NFT space.
Do you have any upcoming drops?
I drop a New NFT every 2 – 3 weeks.
I just dropped an edition of 3 called “ STONΞD ” featuring a blunted Medusa with Gucci mane face tats and an illuminati handler holder her head.
Where can collectors learn more about you?
NFT marketplace links:
Rarible: https://rarible.com/mikegrillmadeit
Link to website: https://linktr.ee/MikeGrillMadeIt
Social:
https://twitter.com/Grillenem
https://www.instagram.com/daburningbush/
Additional Pieces of Art:
The key on my pieces is to ZOOM IN! For example the praise be the highest NFT edition of 420 was a piece of artwork that started my collection called “Da Burning Bush”
This piece I wanted to have a high edition of 420 because I want this piece to be affordable so everyone who appreciates and or wants to support me doesn’t have to break the bank to build a connection with me. Interestingly enough this piece took me almost 3 years. I would work on it ever so often and add more and more as I went.
It has over 230 layers. Each person is wearing a different designer fabric, Money, blunts, smoking elements is all over one of the greatest paintings by Raphael. Cool things to look for is a Dice game of Ce Lo being played, A woman wearing a gas mask bong, dabs, bongs and more blunts being ripped. This piece you can find something new every time you look.
Praise be the Highest (0.01ETH) The price of a gram from the Gods
Mo Money Mo Problems: (0.11ETH)
The dream of money, power and influence inspired the Pazzi’s to murder the Medici family heads, the wealthiest family of Florence, Italy circa 1478.
Plague Doctor Fiat:(0.09ETH)
The dark must bring new light…. plague forces change. Reboot the system…. the dawn of crypto has arrived.
Scrippas(0.05ETH) my personal favorite
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Four Tips to building your name in the NFT community (and selling your #NFTart)
Four Tips to building your name in the NFT community (and selling your #NFTart)
Beeple made waves in late 2020 when he became an overnight success. At the time he broke NFT records passing $3.5million on the exclusive platform Nifty Gateway. The thing many people don’t know is that it took a long time for Beeple (real name Mike Winkelmann) to become an overnight success.
Beeple has spent over 5,000 days creating “Everydays.” These pieces of are have been posted on his social media for many years. The art community has been following him for years. In fact, he has nearly 2 million followers on instagram alone. The point is, it took a ton of passion, dedication, artistry, and maybe just a little bit of luck for Beeple to get where he is. (This article wont even cover the fact that he’s also worked with icons like Louis Vuitton, Nike, and others.)
It starts with the NFT community
Art is all about the community. It’s about making something beautiful for the sake of making something beautiful. Artists need to support eachother on social media, NFT platforms, and discord. Social media can be a great way to connect with other artists who share the same interests as you, and sometimes people just want to talk about art in real time.
Participate in the NFT art community. It’s important that you support the artists that are around you, and that you actively participate in the community by searching for artists to follow and by commenting on their work. When you’re building a community around your art and brand, it’s crucial to comment on the artist feeds of other people. Artists are looking for interaction and they’ll engage with you if you interact with them first.
Don’t copy or steal
There are a lot of great artists out there who you should be looking to learn from and learn from their work. It’s important to never steal work or ideas from others, because it will only end in disaster. Granted there are a lot of topics that are trendy in the NFT community (Skulls, NEON, Cyberpunk, Erotic images). There are also common tropes around landscapes, trading cards, and others. Some overlap is inevitable, but try to do something unique. Use your individual style to create a new interpretation and create something beautiful.
Create Badass Work, and only share your best NFTs.
Never underestimate the power of a good image. Images are one of the most powerful ways to get people’s attention and they can help you stand out from your competitors. If you mail in your art creation it will show. If you put a lot of time and effort into an artwork, do yourself a favour and make sure you have the best quality print available.
The best way to improve your work is to practice and get better at it. The only way you can get better is to spend time practicing, and the only way you’re going to practice is if you have something to work towards.
Don’t be afraid to take risks. Someone who is in the artistic community said, “If you mail your art creation it will show.”
When you’re creating a piece of art, it’s important to add the extra polish to it. In other words, don’t try to rush your final piece.
When you’re developing your brand, get rid of all the bad work. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter about the quality of your work if you don’t want to put it out there. If you want to create an NFTart, you should think about the time it will take to create it. It’s important to always keep quality in mind when you’re creating art, whether it’s for the public or your personal collection.
Stick with it. Make engaging in the NFT community a habit
Nothing is going to happen overnight, you’re going to have ups and downs but stick with it. You can’t build social proof over night. The most important thing to understand about being an artist is that you’re not the only one who feels this way. You can find similar artists by joining communities online and then commenting on other artists’ work. It’s important to create a schedule for blogging and make sure you get at least 20 minutes to an hour every day on engaging with others.
When you’re focusing “in the business” (creating your art) you aren’t focusing “on the business” you need to spend time promoting yourself, learning from others, helping other artists, and being an ambassador for our amazing community.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it’s about having a community, whether that’s a hobby or job. Art is about sharing with others and creating something from nothing. Social media is a great way to build your brand, as well as connect with other artists.
Featured NFT Crypto Artist
Robbie Tilton
Robbie Tilton is a 3d designer and founder of Wonder Assembly “A creative studio building the future of digital toys. On a mission to make computers more playful and less mundane”. Before breaking into the NFT art scene, Robbie held design jobs at both Apple and Google. Based out of Los Angeles, Robbie takes a creative toy like approach to his NFT drops. His latest NFT release on NFTgateway is going to be a massive set of collectable cards. His website describes that much of his work is, “is inspired by his childhood obsessions including X-Men, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda.”
Are you an
NFT Artist?
WE WOULD LOVE TO FEATURE YOUR WORK.