Behind The Keys: Special Edition
Behind The Keys: Special Edition
The best from the best! (So far)
Hey! Welcome to another edition of Behind The Keys!
This edition is a special one. I wanted to write a super edition with what I found to be the best answers to the questions I repeatedly ask in the interviews. I didn’t include all the questions, but I did include at least one answer from each artist as I think there is something we can learn from each one of them.
Another thing I want to point out is that I might not be able to share an interview each Thursday, as some artists take a couple of weeks (and sometimes months) to answer the questions. The last thing I want to do is pressure the artists and make them feel uncomfortable about it, so from now on, I will only share a Behind The Keys post when an interview is ready. Thank you for understanding <3
And that’s it! Hope you have an amazing Thursday wherever you are.
Thanks for reading,
Dalos
Behind the Keys: The Best Answers
What does your creating process look like?
Answer by Snowfro: My process starts with one basic question:
“Do I think this could make someone smile?”
If the answer is yes then I proceed. I really think kindness can be infectious, and often times something as small as a work of art on a wall can be the catalyst to change someone’s day.
What is one thing you think artists should focus more on, and why?
Answer from DeltaSauce: Connecting with others is the greatest tip I would give anyone in the space. The web3 space is truly about getting to know others, and building a community of people you can connect with. Not just about art either, but about what else is going on in the space, about their lives and how they are doing.
It doesn’t have to always be about selling your work; that comes in time and can come after truly connecting with another person. For me, the greatest pillar in the web3 space is and always will be community, because they can elevate you in a way you couldn’t on your own. It can be taken for granted.
I personally say that my success isn’t my own; it definitely has happened because of the support I have gotten in the space, and I think as an artist it is important to help elevate others and give back.
What activity do you fall into when you are trying to enhance your creativity?
From Alejandro Campos: This is either A) Reading crappy web novels or B) Going for a run. But mostly, when I’m on a creative block, I just stop and let the time go by.
From my work as an architect, I’ve learned that sometimes you cannot push creative processes or find shortcuts. Just do something else meanwhile.
What skill should anyone harvest early in their artist career that will pay off massively for years?
Answer by Thomas Lin Pedersen: Learning to listen to your own creative voice. The faster you feel confident following your own vision, the faster you’ll begin to hone the skills that eventually turn into a personal style.
While a personal style is important for recognition as an artist, it is also something that will somewhat insulate you from the urge to compare yourself to your peers and the inevitable self-doubt that can follow. When you have your own style it is much harder for you to look at a successful project and think “I wish I had made this”, because it obviously isn’t your work/style.
Why do you create art?
Answer from Jimena Buena Vida: I create art as a means of authentic self-expression, a way to communicate emotions, thoughts, and ideas that cannot be conveyed through words alone.
Art allows me to tap into my innermost creativity and imagination, giving form to intangible concepts and giving voice to my unique perspective. It is a powerful outlet for introspection, healing, and personal growth, allowing me to explore and understand myself and the world around me on a deeper level.
Moreover, I create art with the intention of evoking emotions, inspiring others, and sparking meaningful conversations. Art has the incredible ability to transcend boundaries, connect people, and create a lasting impact.
Ultimately, I create art because it is an intrinsic part of who I am, bringing me joy, purpose, and a profound sense of fulfillment.
What does success look like to you?
Answer from Snowfro: While success in individual endeavors means that humans come to appreciate the work I have put into a concept, overall I am terrified by “success” in that I see it as the end of the road.
Success in life is always being curious and excited about innovation and empowering people to be their best selves, including myself. We can always improve ourselves, we can always be better at what we do.
Success is a life full of improvement.
If you could ask yourself one question every day to set yourself up for success, which one would it be?
Answer from Ellie Pritts: “What would you rather be doing?”
The projects that are born out of me avoiding some other obligation, perceived or actual, are usually the most successful and fulfilling for me in the end.
What is one strong opinion you have?
Answer from Casey Reas: Everyone can learn to code. I’ve been teaching artists and designers how to code for over twenty years and I think everyone has it in them. It’s easier for some than others and it can be scary, but it can also be very fun and rewarding. Everyone can do it.
What is your favorite failure?
Answer from Jimi Wen: The ones that I gave 110%, even if the result is out of my control.
What’s the hardest part of being an artist?
Answer by Jeff Davis: I think the hardest part of being an artist is carving out time to create art. I’ve always had professional responsibilities beyond being a practicing artist, which still continues today with my job at Art Blocks!
Even for full-time artists, communications, marketing, and other business aspects can interfere with the ability to actually make art. The key is prioritizing your creative time and making it sacred.
What would you say to your 25-year-old self?
From Casey Reas: Relax a little more. Slow down, just a little bit. Take better care of yourself, take time for that. I tell myself these things all the time now too!
What is something you wish someone had told you before becoming an artist?
Answer from Per Kristian Stoveland: Don’t overthink, don’t wait, just start making art. Self-doubt is a powerful obstacle. It has taken me time to overcome it, so I would have loved to have identified this obstacle earlier in my career.
