NFT Artist Interview: Stellabelle
Where are you from?
I was raised in the Midwest USA but have lived in Arizona, Japan and San Diego throughout my life.
Can you tell us about your background and what lead you down the path to becoming an artist and ultimately experimenting with NFTs?
I founded one of the very first creative commons cryptoart collectives, Slothicorn, in 2017 which was instrumental in providing resources and education to artists who were just entering the crypto scene. Before I founded my cryptoartist collective, I was a tech writer for Interesting Engineering. I found crypto in 2016 and the rest they say is history. I just never left my dream of marrying crypto with art.
When did you mint your first NFT? What platform did you choose and why?
I minted my first art NFT on Makersplace in 2020. I wanted a curated platform where global collectors could find my art. I created the RICH EVIL series there which explored what happens when humans come into enormous sums of money.
Can you tell us one thing you cannot live without? (and why)
my computer. I’ve been earning nothing but crypto for 6 years so I literally could not exist without it.
Who is your favorite artist(s) (Non NFT)? What about their style resonates with you
It’s a mix between Salvador Dali and Leonor Fini. I love the surrealists as that art resonates with my own creative experiences. Leonor Fini embodies many of philosophies that guide my life.
Who is your favourite NFT artist? What makes this artist unique?
It’s hard to choose one. Right now I really love Bronwyn Lorelei’s art because her art is so raw. She doesn’t hold back anything. https://www.bronwynlorelei.com/
What made you pursue NFT art?
To be honest, I helped shape the early days of cryptoart. My cryptoartist collective was a place where artists could freely learn about crypto best practices as well as the NFT art platforms and projects that were being built around 2017-18.
What is the one NFT you wish you had purchased but missed out on
I really love URBAN DISCONTENT by Miss Al Simpson. It’s still for sale at 5 ETH. https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0x2b4572419f2b2a0c198cc8789de881287c09d8c3/89
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go? Why this location?
Japan because I want to take my daughter there. She loves anime.
What are your other passions besides art? Why?
Research, writing and building unique metaverse experiences. I love to learn and research in-depth. I love to send people things in the mail like stickers. I also love to build experimental concepts in the metaverse, like my Sticker Machine that’s currently up and running in my Voxels gallery.
Do you make other forms of art?
Yes, all kinds. I’ve designed shoes, painted my car 5 different times, painted doors, created 3D printed objects, experimented with Augmented Reality, paper collage, etc.
Are you self taught or trained?
self-taught. I worked as a production artist at a sticker factory for many years.
How did you come up with your specific style?
I discovered doodling during my college math classes. That was the window into my creativity and artistic path.
How has your style evolved over the years?
I’ve become more focused on themes in recent times. When I first began minting my art in 2020, I was doing 1/1’s on a variety of topics. My current project CryptoStellas is laser focused on capturing the highs and lows of the NFT ecosystem. It requires a different amount of discipline to stick to one theme.
What is coming in the near future?
I have a Nifty Gateway drop in August. I am being featured in a documentary film about NFTs, director is Dan Sickles. I am also being featured in two hardcover books about cryptoart.
If you could collaborate with one artist who would it be? (and why)
Miss Al Simpson because her style is really cool and I admire her a lot.
What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that?
My greatest failure was trusting people blindly. I learned how to set up personal boundaries now and not be so naive.
What is your biggest piece sold
CryptoStella #3: Cozomo de’ Medici https://opensea.io/assets/ethereum/0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e/109050107058864077137792508080890032869405313894784147703676491963473485365249
How much did it sell for
5 ETH
Do you have any upcoming drops?
Yes Nifty Gateway on August 8, 2022
Link to Website
https://stellabelle.carrd.co/
Social links and NFT marketplace links
Opensea: https://opensea.io/collection/stellabelle
https://linktr.ee/stellabelle
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stellabelle
Foundation: https://foundation.app/@stellabelle
https://makersplace.com/stellabelle/
Metaverse gallery: https://www.cryptovoxels.com/play?coords=S@6682W,105S,5F
Anything else you’d like to share?
In my smart contract, I have written this inside each contract “”I have researched the magic shapes of the happiness no one escapes.”” What does this mean to you?”
