The 888 Inner Artist Initiative — December 2022 Update & Year End Review

18 min readDec 31, 2022

It has been less than five months since we formally announced the 888 Inner Artist Initiative and a whole lot has happened since then.

In our weekly celebration of art, we have continued to purchase up to 1 ETH of art every week from emerging artists. To date, we have purchased 20 pieces of art, and our latest event has received over 100 submissions, which is a record for us.
We have grown our “Verified Inner Artist” community in an organic fashion, one artist at a time (As a reminder, to become a Verified Inner Artist, please apply here. No token purchase is needed, but to receive the role, artists will need to join our Discord Server and verify-to-access-server by accepting our community rules, after which they will receive the “community“ role. The community role is needed in order to receive the Verified Inner Artist role.)
Just last week, we passed a major milestone. To date, we have assigned the Verified Inner Artist role to over 88 artists. To celebrate the occasion, we assigned the honorary “IAI OG” role to our artists, in order to signify their part in helping to form the foundation of the 888 Inner Artist Initiative. We also announced that all artists who receive the Verified Inner Artist role before the end of 2022, will also receive the IAI OG role.
Not only have we created a community of artists, we have created a diverse community of artists from all over the globe, from Portugal, to Chile, to Nigeria.
We have created a number of internal Inner Artist Channels within our Discord Server, including 1) our artist-gated “Verified Artist Chat” channel; 2) our “Community Gallery” channel where artists can show off their work to our community, which comprises thousands of members; and 3) an “Artist Spotlight” channel, where we find additional ways to spotlight artists.
One way we spotlight artists is to use our Artist Spotlight channel to offer written AMAs to the artists that we purchase art from. An example of past AMA questions can be found in our November update.
We’ve also begun exploring educational efforts in our Artist Spotlight channel with a segment that we call, “Asking Artists.” Here, we will ask an art-related question and crowd-source answers from our artists. Examples of this can also be found in last month’s update.
In addition to working directly with artists, we have also been exploring strategic partnerships in order to provide increased opportunities for artists. A great example of this can be found in our October update, where we discussed our partnership with the Sparkles NFT Marketplace in order to allow a greater segment of artists to participate in our weekly celebration of art.

Weekly Celebration of Art

Here is the art that we have purchased since our last update.

Week 15

DIANA by Ana Novo

Week 16

The PumpkFighter by COASURF

Week 17

The Great Party by WAKA_ART

Week 18

Self-Ascension by Jpearlking

Spotlight Artist AMAs

Here is a sampling of the AMAs that we had this past month (slightly edited). To see the complete interviews, please visit the artist-spotlight channel within our Discord Server.

MangoScam (Last month, we purchased this piece by the artist)

Question: Where did you learn all the techniques necessary to become proficient at so many different styles of art? Do you have any advice for artists that may want to learn new techniques and try new styles?

Answer: I learned because I fell in love with art. When I was a child I went to a museum, to be more exact, the Prado Museum in Madrid (Spain). And when I saw Goya’s paintings I was so amazed that I wanted to live in one of them, especially in “The half-sunk dog in the sand.” I remained enthralled looking at that painting for hours, and I began to be interested in art and everything that had to do with creation. My advice is to love what you do because there is nothing more painful and at the same time pleasurable than loving. And don’t be afraid to experiment because that is where you can get to the bottom of yourself.

More on MangoScam can be found below in the “Looking Back” section.

WAKA_ART

Question: What advice would you give someone who is interested in art but is a complete beginner?

Answer: First of all, don’t be afraid of an empty canvas. I usually choose my colours from my current mood, unless I have a specific painting (landscape painting) planned in advance. Canvases can withstand a lot of wear and tear, so you can paint over them very often, and this knowledge alone has encouraged me to experiment. You can paint with acrylics in all kinds of consistencies (pasty to quite liquid, like watercolours) — just try it out and see what you like best. There are also many videos for beginners on the internet, where you can start by following a step-by-step guide. And last but not least, if you get stuck: look at the picture from different angles, take a picture, or don’t look at it for a few days… And if you still don’t get anywhere, you can be brave and “destroy” something, i.e. partially paint over it and let something new emerge or discover new approaches.

Here is another piece by the artist:

To learn more about WAKA_ART, please see the following links:

Asking Artists

Here is an Asking Artists question that we asked our artists this month. For the artists’ full responses, please visit the artist-spotlight channel within our Discord Server.

Question: How do you distinguish between casual photography and photography as art? Where does one who wishes to get into photography start? Is there any special equipment needed, or is a smartphone camera sufficient. What are the key artistic considerations that a photographer should consider. Any tips, tricks, or advice for someone who wants to use photography as a medium for creative expression and/or do fine-art photography?

Consolidated Answer:

Our artists noted the difficulties of drawing a bright line differentiator between casual photography and photography as art. It was noted that even casual photography could be art (though it was also noted that not all photography is artistic). An example was given of a beautiful exhibition that consisted of photos taken of everyday people living in a secluded village. The idea behind the exhibition was that photographers often try to capture the “true” essence of a place. But the photos of the people, taken without any special equipment, portrayed a different perspective of reality, one that was not idealized or romanticized. This showed a different side of what was “real” to these people and how they perceived concepts like beauty and happiness.

One question that was raised was whether it was even in our power to judge photography as art. Perhaps the photographer has an artistic approach that we don’t understand. The example given was how not understanding a certain language did not mean that the language failed to exist.

That being said, there were some common threads in terms of how the photographers in our community approached their art. Intentionality in decision-making was highlighted. Rather than just picking up a camera and taking a picture, artists considered various factors, such as light, shadows, and composition (which speaks to how a photographer arranges visual elements within their frame). Individual elements, such as a facial expression, a glance of the eye, a touch, positioning of a subject in relation to objects in the frame, all could play a role in expressing the artist’s perception of reality.

There was also the shared element of intentionality in improvement. It was noted that photography as an art form is the result of countless hours of experimentation, practice, and evolution through trial and error. One artist mentioned that for every photo shared, there were thousands of photos that never reached the eyes of the public.

Artists also exhibited consideration in terms of story-telling. For one artist, a picture was not just a picture but rather a painstaking process to capture something unique and valuable. In that sense, it was observed that art cannot be casual. It is an effort to tell the most compelling story possible in a single click. Also, while aesthetics are a consideration, this artist noted that it is not necessary to please the eye. What was necessary was to capture the gaze of the viewer, to compel the viewer to spend time on the artwork, to think or feel.

In terms of equipment, there was general agreement that while special equipment can be helpful (for example, an expensive lens can help capture light in a unique way), what was most important was the artist, not the equipment. An artist’s imagination goes a long way, and it was noted that many photographers take great pictures with just their mobile phones. However, having specialized equipment can certainly help in specific conditions when the artist is trying to capture reality in a certain way. The equipment needed may be dictated by the purpose of the photography. If the photos are merely to be displayed on a mobile device or computer, the camera on a phone may be sufficient. However, if the photos are to be printed out in high resolution, a good camera with a good lens may be helpful.

In terms of “tips and tricks,” it was suggested to think about what light does and to experiment with it by playing around with different camera settings. It was also noted that photography can teach us a lot about ourselves and what resonates with us. Some people may like to take wedding photos, while others may prefer to be in nature. Figure out what makes you happy and start taking pictures. No need to rush. Just keep at it, keep learning, and you will end up where you need to be.

Looking Back

Since it is the end of the year, we thought that it would be fitting to revisit all of the art that we previously purchased. Starting from week 1, here is all the art that we have purchased prior to this month. Where applicable, we have included an update about what the artist has been working on recently, as well as some ways to learn more about the artist. We have also included some more samples from past AMAs in our Artist Spotlight channel, which were not previously shared.

Week 1

Evolution by Player_X

Update from Player_X (slightly edited):

Thank you all for this amazing opportunity to showcase what I have been working on. Since my first piece was chosen by 888 IA, I have started my own project on the Songbird network and soon to be on Flare. My project focuses on helping physical artists enter the digital space in addition to helping digital artists have the ability to provide physical art to their collectors. We have the ability to digitize physical art in an artist’s collection and produce an almost exact replication of the work in the digital space. We also have the ability to help digital artists create physical versions of their work on many different mediums of their choice. We will be able to provide these services in full color as we grow. We would like for this technology to eventually be available to art students to assist them in their quests to success.

For anyone wishing to see a bit of my work, although limited, can be found on OpenSea on ETH and Sparkles NFT platform on the Songbird network. They can also find me personally in my Discord server or on Twitter if they wish to join in and participate in our abilities and services.

A Deeper Dream by M.REZA

Update from M.REZA (slightly edited):

Currently, I’m working on a new project called “Project Ataraxia.” Two pieces are already available there. It’s on my own smart contract, but I listed them on Foundation. Here is the link: https://foundation.app/collection/ataraxia

To learn more about M.REZA, please see the following links:

Week 2

Dragon of Colorful Dreams by L2-Universe

After we purchased the above piece, L2 kindly did an AMA with us. Here was a question for the artist from one of our community members, as well as L2’s response (both slightly edited).

Question:

Love the vibrant colours. What software did you create it in, if you don’t mind me asking?

Answer:

To create vibrancy, I will take multiple exposures of an image and recombine them with different filters and specific regional enhancements based on image (photoshop, photomatix, AI). I like to jump around many different programs. I probably use about 10+ … like a collage of technology. I used to use Adobe Flash back in the day and built many websites (some beautiful animations). After Effects is interesting.

Here was another piece shared by the artist during the AMA.

To learn more about L2, please see the following links:

Week 3

Night & Day by surreal24seven

Here is a recent update from the artist’s Twitter:

The links to the art in the tweet are:

THE JOINT: https://superrare.com/artwork-v2/the-joint-41257
HOPE: https://superrare.com/0x4a97a574794563bf2292b89e8cc198ae45843791/hope-3
gm: https://superrare.com/artwork-v2/gm-%E2%98%80%EF%B8%8F-41254
Artistic Freedom: https://superrare.com/artwork-v2/artistic-freedom-40034

To learn more about this artist, please visit:

Week 4

Twitter by JTA

Update from JTA (slightly edited):

Things have been great recently. I found my signature style since last connecting with you. It is this storytelling style I developed including a cloud and a rainbow. The cloud streaming a rainbow represents Utopia, while the archetypes in the rest of the composition either represent harmony with that Utopia, or a stark contradiction to that. You can check out my work at superrare.com/jta. Right now, I am completely sold out! But I plan on dropping something in the first week of the new year.

To learn more about JTA, please visit https://twitter.com/Jacobtheape.

Week 5

BARBADOS by Jose Luis Fadda

When this artist first introduced himself to us, he described his work by saying, “I make real acrylic paintings on canvas. After they are ready, I digitize them by adding effects that help you visualize the movement feeling.”

The above piece was part of the artist’s first NFT collection. For other pieces in the collection, and to experience the full movement effect of the pieces, please visit this link: https://opensea.io/collection/you-are-in-barbados

To learn more about the artist, please visit: https://twitter.com/JoseFadda

Week 6

Spiritual Butterfly by Montreal.AI

Just recently (on Friday, December 23, 2022), Montreal.AI (i.e. Vincent Boucher, President of the Montreal.AI artificial intelligence research company), along with AI researcher Gary Marcus, organized and hosted “AI Debate #3,” an annual debate with some of the most distinguished researchers and experts on artificial general intelligence (AGI) in the world. Speakers included many notable figures, such as Erik Brynjolfsson, Yejin Choi, Noam Chomsky, Jeff Clune, David Ferrucci, Artur d’Avila Garcez, Michelle Rempel Garner, Dileep George, Ben Goertzel, Sara Hooker, Anja Kaspersen, Konrad Kording, Kai-Fu Lee, Francesca Rossi, Jürgen Schmidhuber, and Angela Sheffield. The debate can be watched now on YouTube, and a summary of the event can be found in this article.

Aside from engaging in spirited debate, Montreal.AI has been diligently working on AI Agents and AI Nodes that hold the potential to usher in a new era in which artificial intelligence may increasingly render it more challenging for individuals to create value through employment. Montreal.AI endeavors to further empower people by enabling them to possess their own means of production through the AI Agents and AI Nodes under development.

Montreal.AI also has several art collections available on OpenSea, including:

To learn more about Montreal.AI, both the person and the company, please visit:

Week 7

Andy is Back! by Cryptochile.eth

Update:

CryptoChile has been very busy. Not only is he a wonderful mod for our project, he is also the founder of the Metaclub project, which recently had its mint. CryptoChile, as a native of Chile, has also been actively supporting artists from his country, helping to onboard them into the NFT space. He is also creating an art gallery in Oncyber as a way for Chilean artists to gain exposure to the metaverse. A number of the artists that we have purchased art from were introduced to us through his efforts.

To learn more about Metaclub, please visit: https://www.metaclub.cl

To learn more about CryptoChile, please visit: https://twitter.com/cryptochilenft

Week 8

One big Hoax for man, one Giant leap for USA by LorenHandArt

LorenHandArt previously participated in a wonderful AMA with us. Here is a sample of that interview (slightly edited).

Question: You have described yourself as a realism artist. What is it about realism, as an art movement, that most appeals to you?

Answer: One of the first things I learned to draw was an eye, and when I look at a person, the first thing I notice is their eyes. Every eye is different. I also loved drawing hands … so much detail. So I just went from there really. It’s different with every drawing, so always fun to do and never-ending.

Question: You are known for both your hand-drawn art and for your portraits. How did you develop your skills? What advice would you give to artists who want to improve in these artistic areas (i.e. drawing by hand and drawing portraits)?

Answer: I’ve just always drawn, so it’s years of building up skills and learning what mediums work best, what I am good at doing, and always finding ways to improve so the next one is better. I’ve got a very creative imagination, which always comes out best with a pencil in my hand. My advice to other artists would be to just do it everyday. Draw one thing and master it until you’re happy. Then do it again the next day and just continue to develop. Always listen to advice and take everything as constructive criticism. Everyone sees one piece of art differently, and that’s the beauty of it. Art is never wrong.

Question: What’s next for you? What are your goals?

Answer: I’m currently working on some pieces, bigger and better. I’ve found my style with digital art now, so the goal is to just keep creating and hopefully make some beautiful pieces that will be remembered.

To learn more about this artist, please visit: https://twitter.com/LorenHandArt

Week 9

Dog On The Beach by Cristóbal Riesco

To learn more about this artist, please visit: https://www.riesco.work

Week 10

The Emotional Creation #12 by CarlaSaFe

Update from CarlaSaFe (slightly edited):

Besides my physical paintings, I’ve been working on a series of digital portraits. Here are some images …

This is Mae.

This is Muriel.

This is Chantal:

Offers for the Chantal piece are currently open at:

To learn more about Carla, please visit https://linktr.ee/carlasafe. Her work may be found online either as an NFT, NFT+Physical, or only Physical. All of her physical work may be minted as an NFT. If you don’t see the piece you love as an NFT, you are invited to get in touch with her at contact@carlasafernandes.com.

#18 Icebergs by Tommy Kwak

Update from Tommy Kwak:

Tommy has released a “Remix” series of colorful lifeguard towers on Miami Beach. The entire collection can be seen here on Foundation: https://foundation.app/collection/remix?

Here are a few samples:

To learn more about Tommy, please visit:

Week 11

Continuación del vuelo rosado y apretado by Magdalena Lizarraga Nardocci

Magdalena was introduced to our community by another one of our artists. She is a multi-disciplinary artist, with experience in many different areas, including interior design and theater set design. She also has a diverse range of experiences, having studied and trained in both Italy and Chile. Since joining our community, she has been positive and helpful, greeting people with a kind “Gm!” and offering advice in our “Asking Artists” segment.

To learn more about Magdelena and her art, please visit:

Week 12

Yami Blossom by Sonríe-InkTerrorist

We had a great AMA with Sonríe-InkTerrorist last month, which was discussed here.

Here are some other pieces from the artist.

To learn more about Sonríe-InkTerrorist, please visit:

Week 13

White Angel by Miriam Anerisart

At the time of writing, this tweet was pinned on Miriam’s Twitter feed.

As seen, we purchased one of the pieces of the collection, and the rest of the collection can be found here: https://foundation.app/collection/verum-sculptura

The artist also posts regular updates, such as this recent video of a sculpture being made: https://twitter.com/AnerisartNFT/status/1608052711060127744?cxt=HHwWgIC-7ffa-dAsAAAA

To learn more about Miriam, please visit: https://twitter.com/AnerisartNFT

Week 14

Hermafrodita by MangoscamEth

As noted above, this versatile artist had an excellent AMA with us this past month. Here are some additional pieces by the artist.

https://foundation.app/@Mangoscam/withmango/4

https://foundation.app/@Mangoscam/acido/3

https://foundation.app/@Mangoscam/rdmango/4

To learn more about MangoScam, please visit their Twitter or their Foundation page.

***

In Conclusion, and with Gratitude

This has been a great year (five months) for the 888 Inner Artist Initiative. When we launched, we did not know all the great art that we would see and all the great artists that we would meet. We’ve often said that artists are the lifeblood of Web 3.0, and they are certainly the lifeblood of the Inner Artist Initiative.

Again, we would just like to express our gratitude to all of the artists and the 888 Inner Circle community members who have helped this initiative get off to such a promising start. We are still in an early stage of what we hope to become. Just as the 888 Inner Circle project, as a whole, aims to build a lifetime membership club, the 888 Inner Artist Initiative will continue to build, grow, and expand with it.

As a reminder, the 888 Inner Artist Initiative is not just a single program. Rather, it is a comprehensive and ever-increasing set of efforts and endeavors designed to celebrate, empower, and support artists. Our goal is to meet the various needs of various artists, in a wide variety of ways, wherever they may be on their artistic journey.

For more information, please join our Discord server, follow our Twitter, and view our Medium. Also, as a reminder, if you are an artist, we encourage you to apply to become a Verified Inner Artist. No token purchase is necessary, but you will need to join our Server and be verified as a community member in order to receive the role.