Wednesday, July 6, 2022
About us | Contact
Blockzeit
  • bitcoinBitcoin(BTC)$20,384.001.22%
  • ethereumEthereum(ETH)$1,161.372.91%
  • binancecoinBNB(BNB)$238.874.43%
  • SolanaSolana(SOL)$36.544.85%
  • dogecoinDogecoin(DOGE)$0.0685231.27%
  • Home
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Markets
  • Investing
  • Technology
  • Trends
  • NFTs
    • Metaverse
  • Education
    • Glossary
    • Buy Crypto
      • Buy Cardano
  • Events
    • Metaverse Events
No Result
View All Result
  • EnglishEnglish
    • EnglishEnglish
    • DeutschDeutsch
    • PortuguêsPortuguês
  • Home
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Markets
  • Investing
  • Technology
  • Trends
  • NFTs
    • Metaverse
  • Education
    • Glossary
    • Buy Crypto
      • Buy Cardano
  • Events
    • Metaverse Events
No Result
View All Result
Blockzeit
No Result
View All Result
Home NFTs
Squiggle 2

Squiggle 2

How a $4M “Squiggle” Got Me Into NFT Art

Jay Speakman by Jay Speakman
December 2, 2021
in NFTs
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare via WhatsappShare via Email

This past September an anonymous bidder paid $4 million for two ‘Chromie Squiggle’ NFTs from the Art Blocks Curated collection (1,362 ETH)

Chromie Squiggle #7583 was purchased for 922.5 ETH by the buyer. Twenty minutes later, a second purchase of Chromie Squiggle #2855 for 420 ETH was made.

I’m a writer who also paints and contrary to the narrative of the starving artist, I eat pretty well. I have four well-fed cats, too. Food isn’t an issue.

But before you get the idea that art is what sustains me (and my cats) let me say that art sustains me spiritually, but writing pays the bills.

As a freelance crypto writer I get to research and explore many interesting and bleeding-edge topics and get paid for it. It’s a nice gig because I learn so much each day and hopefully I’m passing on knowledge to others. 

One topic that interests me greatly are NFTs and specifically NFT art.

NFT Art has the power to Inspire and Offend

NFT art, from CryptoPunks to Bored Apes has been dominating the headlines lately. The impact of non-traditional, NFT art  on the “conventional” art scene may be permanent.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are simpler than they seem. In essence, an NFT gives blockchain-backed “proof of ownership” to an item. …or in this case $4,000,000 “squiggle” that got me into NFT art.

Like a lot of people, that aren’t art aficianados (and probably a lot that are) when I looked at this “squiggle” I actually felt somewhat offended that someone would have paid $4,000,000 for it.

Yet, after my initial feeling I felt inspired and dare I say, energized by this revelation.

“But nobody is visually naive any longer. We are cluttered with images, and only abstract art can bring us to the threshold of the divine.”

― Dominique De Menil, The Rothko Chapel: Writings on Art and the Threshold of the Divine

I agree with Dominique, and as a fan of Rothko, I set out bring the world to the “threshold of the divine”. I also wanted to bring myself to the threshold of $4,000,000.

If a “squiggle” can garner millions of dollars certainly my chicken-scratch abstract renderings must be worth at least an ETH or two! I just needed to get them in front of the right people. I needed to take action!

If a “squiggle” generated by a computer algorithm can fetch $4,000,000, surely my art is worth at least a fraction of that. We’ll see.

OpenSea

Since I write about NFTs regularly I had opened an account on OpenSea some time ago but hadn’t done anything with it. In order for my art to be seen I’d have to create some pieces and upload them to OpenSea.

Collections

The first step, after opening an account is to connect your wallet. In my case, I used MetaMask. The process was quick and easy. With that taken care of I was all set to create my collection.

There is a lot of latitude on the OpenSea platform. You can name your collection, not name it, upload a cover image or not. It’s up to you. I figured I would go ahead and name the collection, put it in the ART category and upload a banner image as well. With that done, I started adding images.

Step 1
Create images on iPad using the Apple pencil and Procreate

Step 2

Save images as JPEG files

Step 3
Upload directly to OpenSea collection by clicking Add Item. Make sure you use the Polygon option to avoid paying those high Ethereum gas fees

Step 4

To list an item for sale once it has been added to your collection click Sell and then you’ll be able to set whatever price you want in units of ETH

Step 5
The art is now live on OpenSea and the Polygon blockchain

Helpful Hint: Remember, when uploading your work, the default setting is the Ethereum blockchain. Don’t use that or you’ll be charged a pretty hefty “minting” fee just to upload your work. Instead, click the drop down under Ethereum and you’ll see an option for Polygon. Choose Polygon as your blockchain because you’ll pay ZERO gas fees. Nothing. 

Tools and processes

I considered just uploading some of my older abstract acrylic on canvas works as JPEG images to Open Sea since they give you that option. I decided instead to create a collection of work using my new iPad, Apple pencil and the paint program Procreate. This seemed a perfect opportunity to try out all three.

Procreate was super-easy to use, and a lot of fun too. Any mistakes are quickly dealt with by just tapping the screen twice to remove what you did, or swiping with three fingers to remove all elements.

Creating art with the Apple pencil on the iPad was really an enjoyable experience. While painting with traditional acrylic on canvas can be relaxing too, it’s also a lot of work. You have to go to the art store, find your supplies, buy them (which isn’t cheap) and then truck it all back home. Don’t even get me started cleaning up.

It’s so much simpler to just crack open the iPad and start messing around with colors, textures and different brush styles. 

Ideas seem to come more quickly when you can fix mistakes with the tap of your finger. It also frees you up to be more creative and take more risks.

Next: Pricing your art and strategies to get sales




Jay Speakman
Jay Speakman

I write about blockchain, crypto, NFTs and other disruptive technologies and innovations.

Previous Post

Square Becomes Block as Jack Dorsey Turns Focus on Blockchain

Next Post

India May Not Ban Cryptocurrencies After all

Related Posts

making money with nfts

3 Dead Simple Ways Make Money with NFTs

by Jay Speakman
July 5, 2022
0

Did you know the best way to invest in NFTs is to find products that you enjoy and know you'll...

Arbitrum Odyssey

Arbitrum Odyssey: How to Participate and Earn 17 Exclusive NFTs for Free

by Vincent Munene
June 24, 2022
0

Arbitrum is a layer-2 blockchain that Offchain Labs built. Following Optimism's footsteps, Arbitrum might be conducting their airdrop soon. The...

NFT

Top 5 Blockchains for NFT Development

by Jay Speakman
June 23, 2022
0

NFTs, like all blockchain technology, can be used for a variety of practical purposes, including, gaming, document authentication, ticket scalping...

Load More

Get updates to your inbox!

Subscribe to our mailing list to receive daily updates!

FOLLoW US:

Blockzeit Logo 10 1

Blockzeit was founded in 2021 in Switzerland with the mission of bridging the gap between the complex blockchain technology and the general public. Blockzeit is a news and education platform that aims to make blockchain more accessible and bring more transparency to the scene.

Popular Categories

Categories
  • Bitcoin News
  • Business
  • Buy Crypto
  • Education
  • Investing
  • Markets
  • Metaverse
  • NFTs
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Switzerland
  • Technology
  • Trends

Important Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Blockchain Jobs
  • Events

Contact & Social

For guest posts, contact us via info@blockzeit.com

 

Contact: info@blockzeit.com
Press: press@blockzeit.com

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram
  • Home
  • Markets
  • Investing
  • Technology
  • Trends
  • NFTs
  • Education
  • Events
© Copyright by Blockzeit.com. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • Business
    • Politics
  • Markets
  • Investing
  • Technology
  • Trends
  • NFTs
    • Metaverse
  • Education
    • Glossary
    • Buy Crypto
      • Buy Cardano
  • Events
    • Metaverse Events
  • DeutschDeutsch
  • PortuguêsPortuguês

© 2021 Blockzeit by Blockzeit.