My Journey Into Digital Art Collecting

When I first became interested in NFTs there was a lot of hype around quick flips and big gains, and I will be the first to admit that is truly what caught my attention. How the heck can I make a zillion bucks on a JPG? I was curious. I wanted to build my own 10k PFP project and reel in the big bucks (looking back now I am SO GLAD I did not follow through on that one). After almost a year, I came to discover that the PFP project isn't what I thought it would be, and at the time of my "entering web3" there were just so many extra cruddy options to sift through it became clear that the PFP game was not for me. It's what was in when I came into the world of web3, but it has since then certainly lost it's momentum.

So why did I stick around?

For starters, I knew the technology was good. I wanted to be part of the evolution of this tech, no matter how small my role may be. I didn't know what that meant then, and to be truly honest I'm still navigating that every day. It was a learning experience to learn to understand that expectations can't be met but you can be truly surprised by what you find instead.

The second reason was due to the fact I had made some pretty solid friends in the space, and a lot of them are still very active and very dedicated to their missions in web3. It's inspiring, it's consistent, and it's a support system.

I was navigating a new career in web3, too. Which was beyond exciting for me. Joining a community during the most extreme hype of PFPs and NFTs and riding out my first NFT.NYC, launching an entire Art program with Adobe, and creating lasting connections with colleagues and community members really gave me a sense of belonging I hadn't felt at this level before. I got to learn new skills while also keeping true to my background, passions, and identity.

When working to roll out the Artist in Residence program, a program designed to elevate emerging artists and provide amazing art to all of our holders, I opened the door to my collector mindset. I slowly uncovered the community of collectors, the passion of the creators, and how web3 makes it easier than ever to connect those two. My first piece of art collected purely for the sake of art is where the concept of art on the blockchain really started to hit me. I began to wonder more deeply than ever what can blockchain do for artists, and why is it such a special place to grow as an artist? Can this benefit ME as an artist too? 

My whole life I've been creative. Starting with small crafts with my mom growing up, really getting into scrapbooking for a brief period of time, and turning it into a passion for (poor) drawing, photography, and writing. I found digital art and turned it into a career. I've always been creative, surrounded myself with even more creative people, and will never allow myself to lose that part of me.

I had never really considered too much the idea of collecting art, because to me it was for people with deep pockets. I am no millionaire and I have no idea even how to become a collector. How much do I need to know about art to be a collector? I was intimidated. I didn't know where to start. And I'm glad that something totally unexpected, like my job, to open a door into connecting my creative drive with other artists.

I realized that I found much more joy in supporting artists like me. Artists who were passionate about what they do and just trying to make ends meet. Sprinkle in the opportunity to collect from established artists with the accessibility of the blockchain and things really started to get more exciting for me.

I also realized, collecting art doesn't have to be about big gains either. Here I was again thinking I had to put in big dollars with the hopes of the value going up over time. And this could be true for some of the art I collect, in the future, that's the exciting thing about supporting artists who are newer in their careers.

I'm collecting based on the connections I've made with either the art in front of me or the human creating it. I'm supporting the idea that something can make me happy just because, and that I can make someone else happy just by appreciating something they've poured their heart and soul into.

Collecting Art on Ethereum

Ethereum was the easy place for me to start.

‍It is where we launched the Artist in Residence program and where I was the most familiar with collecting NFTs. Ethereum has paved the way for artists to create 1/1 art, 10k collections, dynamic art and so much more. It's allowed artists to easily build and own their own contracts. It's a foundational community of blockchain lovers who have a passion for emerging tech and breaking boundaries.

Collecting Art on Solana

I discovered art on Solana, which I was slightly familiar with but really only collected a few NFTs on that chain. I was first drawn in because an artist I followed on Twitter kept posting works that I couldn't refuse. I finally decided to add more to my Solana wallet to be able to appreciate and support an artist that not only had a similar background to me and my professional career, but showed art that resonated with my personal journey. It also felt really good to be someone's first collector. It gave me a sense of joy I didn't even realize was capable. When you buy art from someone that fuels their affirmations, and gives them that sense of hope, sense of feeling seen, it's a feeling that is hard to come by in this world.

A little can really go a long way, and the world of art on Solana opened my eyes to that.

Collecting Art on Tezos

What I found was a VIBRANT community of passionate and talented creatives.

I also collected art on my newest favorite obsession, Tezos. I kept hearing chatter about Tezos but wasn't really sure what the point of another blockchain was. Was it even worth my time to dig further into? Ultimately, I was pushed into Tezos to launch my own collection of digital art exploration. I uncovered the accessibility of Tezos to providing a launchpad for those who just want to get their art out there. It also is a place where many established Ethereum artists are putting work at a more affordable price. It allows them to expand their collector-base, and gives a lot of us the ability to support and cherish works that would otherwise be out of reach. I have gotten so lost in the world of Tezos art.

Final Thoughts

Over time I discovered that art is everywhere and Ethereum art was really just my stepping stone into the world of digital art. The blockchain will always be a place for artists to be creative, to elevate their work, and to grow their talents in ways they never imagined. Cutting-edge art is at our fingertips and it feels so great to watch it all unfold. The blockchain allows for the exploration of what art means, what ownership means, and how artists can still find value long after a piece leaves their possession.

I have found a place that keeps me creative and inspired, and allows me to also instill that in others, and I don't think I can see a world without me being a collector to some degree. I'll speak it into fruition now that one day I will be curating and really elevating art with more intention, but for now I'm going to continue to stumble and explore with curiosity and an open mind.

Here's to the next wave of art and collectors!