Chelsy Escalona’s colorful and eclectic work speaks about the beauty of her daily life experiences living in Havana, Cuba. Her distinctive universe references aesthetics and ideas from the mid-20th century capturing characteristics of pop art, comics, graffiti, and kitsch culture. Her work has found a place in art magazines, books, independent journals, music album covers, and now NFT art.
We had a chat with Chelsy from her home studio in Havana about her artwork, experience as an NFT artist, and her advice to those just getting started in the space.
Hi Chelsy, can you tell us about yourself?
I am a Graphic Designer graduate from the ISDI Higher Design Institute in 2015, I co-founded with my husband Inverxus Design studio in 2018, where we develop multiple projects in different spheres of design including illustration. At the end of 2019, I began to explore with more depth the illustration field, looking for my own voice within this medium, reaching what I do today, which seeks to be a visuality that adapts to media such as editorial or branding.
How would you describe your style?
My style is known as Neo Pop, which is derived from movements such as pop, comics, and graphics aesthetics used in commercials and marketing. My appropriation of these aesthetics creates a mixture that seeks to visually enrich my work, which also includes the use of the black line of contour, bright colors, and the presence of textures. For the conceptual part, the inspiration came along with 2020, a difficult year for everyone, I ran out of work and decided to go fully into this world since it was the moment when I had time to take it more seriously. Now the inspiration comes in everyday moments, in the details of the day, in learning to value those feelings that sometimes we overlook.
Do you have a favorite media to work with?
Yes, I definitely love Neo Pop and that almost flat aesthetic, but at the same time well loaded with textures and details that enrich the visuality. My preferred medium to work is the digital one, it really represents a giant leap in my skills, which is faster to correct errors, re-think compositions, or test color palettes. I currently work on my iPad with the Procreate app and I totally love it.
What is your favorite work you’ve created to date?
My favorite pieces from my current work are Work from Home and Sushi Night Girls, they represent these very intimate moments where you are alone with your thoughts and the world is just happening outside.
How did you get into crypto art?
Crypto art was a big unknown market for me, with many doubts and stigmas to break in my own mind. I wasn’t very interested when I first heard of it cause when I took a quick look I didn’t like what I saw, but then time passed and my friends were always telling me to check it out and to give it a chance. So I read more about it, and asked other people about their experiences, and started to understand it more and more. Eventually, I fell in love with the ideals and what NFT represents and decided I was ready to take the leap.
What is the idea behind your NFT collection, Daily Life Girls?
Daily Life Girls is all about 2020. My own experiences and longings are all over the work, the intimacy, the loneliness, and the connection through the screens with the world. But I always try to look for that silver lining in everything so I try to put that as well in my work. Seeking to show the beauty of the moments, the colors of life, the brightness in the little details, the nostalgic, but the healthy one (laughs). And piece by piece they come to life until I realized there were almost more than 20 pieces and I had a collection in my hands, the product of a whole year of intense work.
Are there any NFT lessons learned you’d like to share?
I´m barely starting in this NFT world, but if I had to give someone advice it would be to believe in yourself and your work. The NFT community is beautiful and supportive and that it’s totally worth the experience. But if you are unsure about it or have any doubts then do the homework, read and check the thousands of Youtube videos that explain these first steps into the NFT world. In my opinion, you have to feel ready and excited about taking the leap so it won’t be the same if you just do it like a game or a joke. In the end, it’s up to you.
What is the best thing you did that led to a sale?
There is no formula to make a sale, just a matter of effort. The first thing is to be present everywhere and enroll with your Twitter community which is the main social platform where NFT collectors and artists are now. Share your work and generate as many engagements as possible. Participate in the rooms and spaces that take place on those platforms, and then someone will see your work, like it, and eventually buy it. But the main advice is to be present and promote your work always.
Are you planning more NFT projects in the future?
Yes, of course. I’m already working on a new collection that is a bit more introspective, but I don’t want to rush it so I’m taking my time to create something meaningful.