Spicing things up around here!
I am thrilled to announce that I am now a part of the Aesthetes Marketplace, a curated platform dedicated to phygital artwork and NFTs. My first painting listed on the platform is titled ‘The Dawn Chorus’ and is part of my expanding collection, Uncivilization.
Uncivilization explores the paradoxes of contemporary life through the lens of human imperfection. By utilizing simplified colors and styles, these paintings invite viewers to reflect on the origins of our collective artistic heritage and contrast it with our seemingly advanced civilization. They portray how our everyday actions betray our unchanging nature, despite technological and societal progress.
Below are some updates I’ve made to different areas of my art business.
Painting
I have been keeping busy creating new oil paintings! The decision to pursue painting was not only a natural path for me but also an important one in the face of AI’s emergence. I believe it is crucial to create artwork that cannot be replicated by AI. Since my paintings are physical pieces of art with unique brushstrokes, replicating them would require AI to combine with machines, which is a significant challenge that remains years away. I will be sharing more of my thoughts on this in an upcoming blog post.
Frames
In addition to each painting, I have meticulously selected and created custom frames. While buyers have the freedom to choose their own frame, I believe the frames I have chosen best complement the artwork. The right frame has the power to elevate the art, and I go through an extensive process of creating mock-ups to envision the final result before having the frames custom-made.
Certificate of Authenticity
The Certificates of Authenticity have been updated in terms of format and design since my last release, Clara. These updates provide better information related to the art and are tailored specifically for paintings.
NFT Format
To me, an essential element of an NFT is the information it contains. Plagiarism is a prevalent issue in the crypto world, and I want to ensure that people are aware of what they are buying. To achieve this, I have included relevant QR codes on the NFTs that link to my website. This enables people to find all the official NFTs listed in the latest releases. They can search for the edition number of each print and find direct links to the corresponding NFTs. Simply put, if the NFT they are viewing on the open market has an edition number and is a copy of a JL NFT, visiting my website will reveal whether that edition number links to a different NFT, establishing which one is the original.
I have also taken measures to include my official usernames on the NFTs when it comes to Discord or Twitter. This prevents users from impersonating me in order to deceive or scam people out of their money. I am committed to providing potential buyers with as much protection as possible, and while I cannot prevent all incidents, I have taken these actions to minimize the potential risks.
Redeemed Status
For each new art release of prints, I will list all the official NFTs that lead to the original artwork. By visiting the product page, you can easily identify which NFTs are available for redemption and which have already been redeemed. A non-redeemed status indicates that either someone has purchased the NFT but has not redeemed it yet, or it is still available for sale. On the other hand, a redeemed status signifies that someone has already used that NFT edition and redeemed the physical print associated with the same edition number.
New Print Supplier
I am now collaborating with a new printing company to ensure high-end prints. One aspect that excites me is the implementation of UV Embossing and special paper types such as Silver Paper, which contains actual silver pigmentation. Currently, I am introducing these features to the highest-grade prints and NFTs (Grade A).
Print Grades
I am introducing a new concept of classifying my NFTs into Grades. Each grade offers different print sizes and paper types. For example, Grade A will feature the largest size and the best printing techniques, while Grade C will have a smaller size and more basic paper. The prices will be more affordable for the lower-grade prints compared to the higher-grade ones.
Included Shipping
Assuming the NFT has not depreciated in value by more than 5%, the shipping cost is included in the price when redeeming the NFT for a physical print. However, if the NFT has lost more than 5% of its value, the buyer will be responsible for paying the difference if they choose to redeem their print. The details regarding this policy have been added to the Terms and Conditions to ensure that shipping and production costs are covered.
Only Phygital Trades are Accepted through JL Trades
To trade a print, you must possess the official NFT with the corresponding edition number. The owner of the print must then carefully package and send it to the new owner. If the buyer wishes to remain anonymous to the seller, they will need to cover the cost of shipping for JL to send it to them. It is essential to keep your print in top condition if you plan to sell it in the future.