The JPEG Journal issue #2
Digital art news from around the world
While the NFT space continues to see a downturn this week, in particular the floor price of PFP projects due to Blur farming, the digital art market has seen some phenomenal prices being obtained for high end artists.
And how does that make you feel? By XCOPY sold for 355 ETH ($619, 418.20)
This is an incredibly important piece of digital art as it was minted during 2018 the year XCOPY began putting his work on the block chain. The years 2017-2018 will be looked back upon as the time digital art really established itself and most piece from this period will carry a large premium in the future.
ALL TIME HIGH IN HELL by Grant Riven Yun sold for 82 ETH ($146,260.12) setting an artist ATH
AI Generated Nude Portrait #7 Frame #10 by Robbie Barrat sold for 260 ETH ($432,400) again showing the demand for historically important collections, this one being an incredibly early example of AI work from 2018.
Collecting or investing which one are you and can you be both?
Collecting and investing are two distinct activities, although they can sometimes overlap. Here are the differences:
Purpose: Collecting is done primarily for enjoyment or personal satisfaction, while investing is done with the aim of generating a profit.
Timeframe: Collecting is often a long-term activity, while investing can be short-term or long-term.
Value: Collectibles are often valued based on rarity, sentimental value, or historical significance, while investments are valued based on their ability to generate a return on investment.
Risk: Collecting carries relatively low risk, while investing often involves more risk, especially in the short-term.
Liquidity: Collectibles can be difficult to sell, and may take time to find a buyer, while investments are generally more liquid and easier to sell.
Overall, collecting is a hobby or pastime that brings enjoyment, while investing is a more calculated and strategic activity aimed at generating a profit.
Now art can be both collecting and investing but in reality most in this space wish for their piece to go up in value, we see this manifest itself through the constant discussion of floor prices, even on the art side people want it to go up.
Through my 30+ years in the art and collectibles market I have come across many what I’d call “true collectors” these are generally people who buy and have absolutely no interest in selling. Take the movie prop market, I have a collector who purchased a piece from us for £5000 10 years ago, recently he was offered £150,000 for this piece but it’s just simply not for sale, he has a connection to it that is more powerful than any amount of money.
Now of course you can do a bit of both, but at the moment in the digital art space I’m seeing 95% here for the money and only 5% here for the art.
Artist interview mbsjq
Who are you and what do you do?
mbsjq (madebystudiojq) is led by Jonathan Quintin. Since 1999, he has created inspirational work at the world's top design studios for clients including Aon/Manchester United, Auto Trader UK, Bosch, Google, Intel, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1TM team, Mitsubishi Motors, Moscow Raceway, NASCAR, NBC Sports Network, Tommy Hilfiger/Rafa Nadal, Uber, Rockstar Energy Drink, The Co-operative, and VMware.
Mbsjq has gained renown for his creative prowess in graphic design, illustration, and 3D art, producing captivating and colorful works. His style is truly unique, as he blends vibrant surrealism and minimalism in a controlled chaos that is truly captivating. Drawing inspiration from the vastness of space, the surrealism movement, and the world of automobiles, he infuses his passion for these themes into his unique and engaging creations.
After entering the NFT space in October 2020, mbsjq gained OG Cryptoartist status throughout 2021 with a boom of huge sales, features, and collaborations. mbsjq has become one of the most followed artists on SuperRare alongside OGs XCOPY, Hackatao, and Pak. In 2021, mbsjq reached the Top 20 in Global NFT Sales. In March 2021, his piece 'Sweet Lullabies' was featured on BBC World.
mbsjq's first collaboration was 'LOL' on SuperRare with cryptoart OGs Hackatao featuring Astro & The Universe, which went on to sell for a staggering 185.0 ETH ($573,993.95) on the secondary market. mbsjq went on to collaborate with Playboy featuring 'Miami Dance,' which was exhibited at Bitcoin Miami Conference and featured by Adweek & Forbes.
In a hugely happy shock, mbsjq (and hpluscreative, who globally represents mbsjq) was then approached to celebrate Freddie Mercury's 75th birthday, where he created 'Colorful Soul' and all proceeds of the not auction went to fund AIDS research and education. Throughout 2021, mbsjq was featured on billboards in LA, New York & London. He also exhibited at Art Basel Miami and in Dubai, London & Shanghai.
Mbsjq also released a unique collection of art piece called The Funkies, where there are just 100. These were created from the art mbsjq made over the last 7 years. They turnt out to be successful with selling out with a total volume of 149ETH
There are plans of developing this collection and rewarding the collectors with diamond hands.
https://opensea.io/collection/thefunkies
In July 2022, mbsjq collaborated with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1TM team for the F1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. mbsjq created an art car and also a race helmet which was worn by George Russell over the Grand Prix weekend. mbsjq's art also featured on the live MF1 race cars which were watched by millions on Sky Sports F1.
mbsjq recently exhibited at ArtInnovationG in Miami Beach from 1-3 December, and the most recent or upcoming exhibit will be at #NFTNYC2023 in April 2023.
Below is a Origin story/thread on my Cryptoart journey since 2020
Why art?
"Why art?" someone may ask. For me, art is life. It is the only way that I feel I can successfully communicate and share my emotions and thoughts. I enjoy every second of the creative process; it gives me a buzz, the thrill of not knowing how my art will be received. And yet, I strive to stay true to my own style, finding it extremely rewarding when my art resonates with others.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
My biggest artistic influence is my 7-year-old daughter, Boo. It may sound cringe, but it's genuinely the truth. I have never been one to be scared to share my true feelings and thoughts. Through her imagination, creative process, and art development, as well as our collaborations together, I draw passion and vibrancy from her energy.
How do you work?
As an artist, I am constantly exploring new ways to express myself and push the boundaries of my craft. With a background in both graphic design and illustration, I bring a unique perspective to my 3D art, infusing it with a sense of depth and dimensionality that is truly my own.
However, I also recognize that collaboration is a vital part of the artistic process. By working with other artists, I am able to tap into new sources of inspiration and learn from their experiences and perspectives. Together, we are able to create works of art that are greater than the sum of their parts, combining our individual strengths to achieve something truly remarkable.
Whether working alone or with others, I am always striving to create art that is both beautiful and meaningful, that speaks to the human experience and touches the soul. For me, art is a way of connecting with the world around me and expressing the emotions and ideas that are otherwise impossible to put into words. It is an ever-evolving journey of discovery and exploration, one that I am honored to be a part of.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
A great question! Let's rewind back to my early teenage years when I used to ride my BMX to deliver newspapers every morning from ages 13 to 16. I enjoyed saving up the money I earned to buy matchbox cars (yes, I'm that old - haha).
This job instilled in me a strong sense of drive and independence, teaching me that with hard work and ambition, anything is possible. To get through university, I worked various jobs including in supermarkets and DIY shops. After graduating, I started my career at a design agency as a junior designer, and over seven years, I worked my way up to become a creative director, managing a team of five designers. This experience was truly rewarding as it allowed me to hone my time management and leadership skills, furthering my independence.
Eventually, I decided to take the leap and go freelance full-time eight years ago, as I yearned for the freedom to pursue my creativity.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
The highlight was at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix. We were having a general conversation about the team when someone said, 'I absolutely love the art on the Mercedes F1 car.' I replied, 'Oh really! I was the one who did it :)' and was smiling from ear to ear for the rest of the weekend.
What has been a seminal experience?
The first time my artworks sold as NFTs back in 2020 felt surreal and incredibly exciting. It's amazing to see what I have been able to achieve since that day. With luck, hard work, and determination, opportunities arise.
What is your dream project?
My dream project would involve Porsche and/or Lamborghini. I believe that my vibrant style would be an excellent fit for their brands. Achieving this would be my ultimate goal. Additionally, I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Nike.
Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.
While I don't believe I can be compared to any other artist, as each artist is truly unique, I hugely admire artists such as Magdiel, SixnFive, Daniel Arsham, Beeple, and Alessio De Vecchi. Each of these artists stays true to their style and exhibits the same drive and commitment to the industry that I feel I possess.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The best piece of advice I have ever received is to work hard and create opportunities. Without a strong work ethic and drive for ambition, life won't change. To achieve the freedom I desire in life, I have had to make bold moves and step out of my comfort zone.
What’s the best piece of advice you would give an up coming artist?
The best advice I would give to any upcoming artist is not to be afraid to make mistakes. Don't be afraid to believe in your own style and work hard on both good and bad days because there will be both. Stay true to who you are, be genuine, and seize opportunities that are truly for you, not for what you think others want to see. Just be yourself, work hard, and maintain that driving ambition. Believe in yourself, but stay humble, be appreciate and keep your feet on the ground.
How has your practice change over time
I wouldn't say my art has changed over time; I feel it has been more about how it has evolved while introducing 3D with my graphic design and illustration background. I have always been known for vibrant colors in my art, so I suppose that has always been present. I am self-taught in 3D for about 6-7 years now, and my design and illustration background is over 20 years old. It's been a fun, ongoing development of merging my creative genres together.
What’s your favourite art work?
"It's very hard for me to pick a favorite piece since my preferences change over time. What I really enjoy doing is going back through my art over the years and seeing how it used to look and how it has evolved in different directions.
However, if I had to choose one piece that has the greatest meaning to me, it would be OXYGEN, which sold to Kyboard Monkey for $99,000 on SuperRare back in 2021. https://superrare.com/artwork-v2/oxygen-19025
This is a piece I have referred to and related with, as its meaning of oxygen being necessary to breathe is very powerful. With oxygen, one can be set free and embrace life. My daughter, Boo, is my oxygen - she is the reason why I breathe. That's why I'm currently in the process of having this artwork tattooed on me. It's a piece I'm truly proud of and one that means a lot to me."
What themes do you pursue?
My aim is to continue with and evolve my Art x Surreal Automotive direction, developing mbsjqartcars™ (https://twitter.com/mbsjqartcars) and gaining more exposure within the automotive world. It's a place where I feel I belong, as well as my art. I am a total car nut, so bringing my art and cars together is a true joy, and I am excited for the future. It feels like I have finally been set free to create what I have always been meant to do.
What art do you most identify with?
My art definitely leans towards 3D art, which incorporates vibrancy, holographic surrealism, and automotive compositions.
Whats Next...
This interview comes at the perfect time, as today 24th March, Mbsjq release ON THE LINE Open Edition with a Max allocation of just 162.
A thread here about the journey so far
In depth artist review Astro Wurlddd
Astro is a digital pointillism artist, he paints with dots and the purpose behind his pointillism is to express the feeling of something greater and looking beyond the little details but instead seek a bigger picture.
Astro have been drawing his entire life and has been using other mediums of art to express himself since he was a child.
He has created in many mediums including oil, wood carving, digital art , but more prominently charcoal. His journey into pointillism began a little over 3 and a half years ago.
As a child Astro was 100% obsessed by the renaissance Especially by one name in particular “Leonardo Da Vinci” , he watched a lot of shows and series about him, this was further influenced by his father encouraging Astro by purchasing him books/novels filled with the legendary artists of that era.
Astro’s first encounter with pointillism was with this show called Kyle xy, he was just so amazed at this character called Kyle drawing out his memories with dots.
It was too advanced for Astro back then but fast forward a few years and some practice coupled with my love for the renaissance, and he started recreating renaissance paintings with my pointillism and he dubbed it digital renaissance.
The Devil inside
As a child I was really into mythology and obviously the renaissance, I got this A-Z encyclopedia of myths from my dad and there were tons of renaissance/baroque paintings among others in them, but I took a particular liking to one exactly, The fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel is one striking painting at first sight, not going to lie it filled my younger self with so much imagination, who was this man, why was he angry and why did he have wings until I got older and read more and realised he was the Devil. I made a lot of sketches by tracing the book itself and almost lost the page to me continuously pressing my pencil on the page but I was never quite satisfied with it, It might have taken a couple of years but I’m quite happy I brought this painting to life and also not by just tracing it but making it in my very own style.⚜️❤️🌹
Widow’s Penitence
She prays for forgiveness, with regret in her eyes And offers repentance, for sins and lies Her sorrowful heart, now open wide
Her future now clear, with hope inside.
The magic of pointillism is that one colour affects an adjacent colour through a complementary nuance in tone. Applied to painting, this meant that colour pigments are no longer mixed either on the palette or directly on canvas, but instead placed as small dabs side by side; the colour or lighting effect taking place, from a suitable distance, in the observer's eye.
Artist mints to look out for this coming week
Anthony currently has a lovely piece on Foundation titled “Tunnel of Love”
MEGS.IO collection "Mea Culpa" drops on NINFA on the 25th
SU mints a new piece on KnownOrigin Today titled “An Emotion”
SymbolicArtist piece Fairway drops on Foundation next week
Megzi series FEAR is now live on Foundation
James Livitski series Parallels drops this weekend
Techtomi mints Suyin on the 25th
Benji Connell genesis piece on SuperRare is now live
If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter share it with friends and spread the art love!!
Until next time have a great weekend! Jamie
Thanks. Always enjoy reading it👍