The JPEG Journal issue #1
Digital art news from around the world
Digital art leads the way this week with a fantastic collection of artist at Sotherby’s, some of the highlight were
Seelight $88900
Pindar Van Arman $35560
Daniel Liang $24300
CMPLX $17800
Terrell Jones $16510
YUYU $6800
So why art? and why will it be the defining use case for NFT?
Collecting art is a popular pastime among many people around the world. From paintings to sculptures to photographs, art collectors are always on the lookout for the next addition to their collection. But why do people collect art? What motivates them to invest time and money in building a collection? In this article, we will explore some of the reasons why people collect art.
Personal enjoyment
One of the main reasons why people collect art is for personal enjoyment. Art is a form of expression that can evoke emotions, tell stories, and bring beauty into our lives. Collectors often find joy in admiring the works in their collection and sharing them with others. For many, collecting art is a way to surround themselves with beauty and creativity.
Investment
Art can also be a valuable investment. Over time, the value of certain pieces of art can appreciate, making them a lucrative investment opportunity. Some collectors are motivated by the potential financial gain that can come from owning a valuable piece of art. However, it is important to note that not all art will appreciate in value and that investing in art comes with risks.
Status
Owning a collection of valuable art can also be a status symbol. Some collectors are motivated by the prestige that comes with owning a rare or sought-after piece of art. For some, owning a collection of art can elevate their social standing or help them to be perceived as sophisticated or cultured.
Supporting artists
Many collectors are passionate about supporting artists and the art community. By purchasing and displaying artwork, collectors can help to support artists financially and promote their work. Collectors may also feel a sense of satisfaction in knowing that they are contributing to the growth and development of the art world.
Preservation
Collectors may also be motivated by a desire to preserve art and cultural history. Art collections can be seen as a way to preserve the works of artists and cultural artifacts for future generations. Collectors may feel a sense of responsibility to protect and care for the works in their collection, ensuring that they remain in good condition for years to come.
In conclusion, people collect art for a variety of reasons. Whether it is for personal enjoyment, investment, status, supporting artists, or preservation, collecting art can bring joy and satisfaction to collectors. By building a collection, collectors can surround themselves with beauty, support the art community, and contribute to the preservation of cultural history.
Artist interview Rik Oostenbroek
Who are you and what do you do?
Hello there.
I am Rik Oostenbroek. A digital artist from the Netherlands. I've been creating in the digital realm for over 19 years already. Growing up as a kid from 2 primary school teachers I was always quite drilled to do either sports or be good in school. I realised at my 14th I only wanted to do one thing in life and that was to create art.
Why art?
I literally suck at everything else in life. Not that that is the reason why I do it, but I am sane when I create art. From the age of 14 I started to fall from depression into depression and I sort of figured art was the right therapy for me. I simply fell in love with it the first moment I saw a piece of digital art.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
That's actually a weird one, since these days I actually focus to make my art as close to "myself" as possible. I became my own muse in a very weird way. I started out being heavily inspired by other artists such as Alex Trochut, Gmunk and the depthCore art collective for instance. But I figured that I feel best when I am inspired by whatever triggers me in real life and built upon my own legacy instead of being focussed or looking up to others. I hope this doesn't sound weird or arrogant, but I feel being true to yourself is really the way. Also on social media for instance.
How do you work?
Always a white canvas, my work is always intuitive. I barely start with a clear image in mind. I'd almost call it freestyle what I do. Mostly inspired by either emotions or things I stumble upon in real life. Could be as easy as an eroded piece of metal, a structure of a tree bark or the way light is reflecting into a puddle. What memorable responses have you had to your work? I'm always touched by people who hit me up that it made them feel something for instance. But the best responses are our 2 year old kid that sometimes reacts on a piece that are constantly looping on 27" screen in our living room. Just someone responding or reaching out in general is something I always appreciate.
What has been a seminal experience?
There have been plenty throughout the years.. My first client job, the first time a client wanted to work with me for my personal style. My first NFT sale. BUT. The biggest was probably the "self" competition I ran last September. With over 400+ submissions of remixes of my work and being able to showcase all those unique pieces in a gallery was just mind-blowing. It really shown the power of art. It was also good that it was a web3/NFT related event but didn't had any commercial/selling aspect to it. That blew my mind.
What is your dream project?
I am not sure yet. I've always had dream clients and I ticked most of them off ( except Coca-Cola lol ). BUT. I think these days I'd love to do a curated drop in collaboration with a generative artist on http://Artblocks.io one day.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to?
Hard one. I think in art you can't really compare since every big artist has their own niche. I love Reuben Wu, Jakefried and Joepease for instance for various reasons. LOVE what they do and how they are being "them". Like they have a signature and don't lean too much on successful artists from the past for instance. They are their own genre.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Although it hasn't been personally given to me I'd always like to refer to this speech from Alan Watts.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give an up coming artist?
Be as close to yourself as possible. Avoid trends and build your own journey. Don't let success by others take you down. It's common that artists feel bad about their own work from time to time, but it only motivates to push theselves to a new level in the end.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Haha nothing actually. I went freelance from my 18th and have done it ever since. Been full-time for over 6 months at an agency one day but that's it. I did some weekends for a gardener and worked in a clothing store for 1 day lol.
How has your practice change over time?
It did a load. At first I was mainly focussing on what others did. Especially the artists I looked up to. Like I really tried to be as "good" in everything I touched but figured it isn't about technical abilities all the time. Yes it helps you execute ideas, but it doesn't make you better at expressing yourself. I also was pretty passive in taking risks or to collaborate. Right now that changed. A load. I'm WAY more confident in my craft and are more free in my mind to create whatever I want to create. Back in the days there was always something in the back of my head that was scared IF people would like it. IF companies still wanted to work with me. Letting go of that mind-set made me work more freely and experimental.
What’s your favourite art work?
Hard one and impossible one to answer. I just love when I create something and 5 years later I still can appreciate the piece of art. That happened quite often. So there are plenty of projects that sort of have a special place in my haert. Most are on the blockchain by now btw. From the impact the "arcus" collection had in the commercial world to the impact the piece "self" had on fellow creators. But when I look back every piece that had a breakthrough to me was very important.
What themes do you pursue?
States of minds. My work is inspired by things that made me itch in real life in some ways. I'm a very restless chaotic person and I'm looking to find this perfect state of mind since ever. Still didn't find it. But my work reflects upon that peaceful state of mind.
What art do you most identify with?
Hm. Hard one. I feel I can identify with everything that's sort of abstract. I'm never a fan of reflections of the reality or from the darker pieces of art. I like accessible art. Art that makes you smile. Art that makes you feel something positive. Art that heals. That's really my vibe and also something I'd like to put into my work myself.
Artist review J_SKY
J_SKY, grew up in a creative family, with her grandfather being an honoured artist. She has been doing creative work all her life and is an interior designer by education, J_SKY also studied monumental painting and has created more than a dozen interior murals. She also creates oil paintings and has participated with them at exhibitions. She creates art mainly with animals and unusual faces that contain various human vices and emotions.
J_SKY’s main purpose as an artist is to share her passion, feelings and perception of events with the whole world! The feelings that she express through her paintings are pure! She is honest with herself and honest with her art, this allows her to create and glow…
J_SKY believes in promoting her work all over the world, to share her vision with people, and has always looked for new opportunities to do this.
Therefore, when J_SKY learned about the NFT space in February 2021, it quickly became apparent that she needed to figure it out. Thus began her career in the NFT space. In March 21, J_SKY created her first art for the CryptoAnimals collection on Opensea.
In April J_SKY received an invitation to the Foundation and started creating 1/1 art, in 2 years she created more than 50 art works and all were sold out except for the last work "Artifact", which was recently shown at ArtsDao gallery in Dubai.
Having good results on FND, J_SKY still dreamed of getting on SuperRare as an artist and in September 2022, with the help of Space Monograms, her dream was fulfilled.
Monsterville is her latest available art on the SR. With this art J_SKY wanted to show the events in small town Halloween festival that finds itself intruded upon by an evil carnival in colourful monster costumes. This town will never be the same, now it's Monsterville!
This artwork will be demonstrated in Times Square at NFT NYC in April 2023. T
VICIOUS CIRCLE
Money is the biggest trap in the human history. People spend their health to earn money, and hen spend money to get cured. thinking about the future, they forget about the present. They live as if the will never die, and when they die, they realise that they have never lived.
HAPPIEST DAY
One event, but what different emotions. Sadness, despair and hopelessness are on one side of the scale, fun, strength and superiority are on the other. You can't change the past, but you can always change the future
J_SKY’s pulsating compositions reflect an energy of bold vibrant colours, her characters intertwine through each piece on a journey of human emotions. She tells a complex story in the most beautiful detailed manner yet never fails to bring peace to each work.
Artist mints to look out for this coming week
All Time High In Hell by Grant Riven Yun
Fvck That Noise collaboration between Dolce Pagan and DarkMarkArt
TheAristocrats will be minting collection 20th March
many thanks
thank you