We had the privilege of sitting down with the remarkable NFT artist, EL ROKK, to delve into his artistic journey and his insights into the world of digital art and NFTs. Check out his latest Drop Medusa on SuperRare.

Tell us about your artistic journey and how you got started in the world of digital art and NFTs.

After obtaining my degree in Graphic and Art from RMIT Melbourne, I spent over a decade freelancing. In 2020, I ventured into the NFT world after conversations with my friend Vangeli, who was passionate about NFTs. Intrigued, I applied to join SUPERRARE, and in December 2020, I received the exciting news that I was accepted, becoming the first Malaysian artist on the platform. Designing and illustrating have been constants in my life, from my childhood days with paper and pencil to the digital realm. Now, 13 years later, I continue to create and draw full-time.

As a digital artist, what inspired you to explore the realm of NFTs? How do you see NFTs shaping the future of art?

The love that collectors showed for art in the NFT space was my main inspiration. Artists desire recognition and appreciation for their work, and witnessing this motivated me to join. With over a decade of illustrating experience, I felt equipped to contribute. NFTs undeniably represent the future. The growing influx of artists and collectors, coupled with the daily surge in new artworks, indicates that NFTs are poised to become the largest domain for creators.

Your diverse background includes ad design, gaming titles, indie comics, and brand apparel. How have these experiences influenced your artistic style and approach to creating NFTs?

Each job I’ve undertaken has enriched my skills and knowledge. From 2D illustration to photorealism, each project has taught me something new. I’ve embraced various styles and techniques and brought them into my NFT creations. Tattoos have always been my signature style element, an attribute carried forward from my extensive experience. Tattoo-inspired designs are embedded in my art, adding uniqueness to my creations.

Who are some of your favorite artists, both traditional and digital, who have influenced your work? How have they inspired you?

Artists like Roxie and Anthony from Grand Theft Auto V have been major inspirations. Their style, characterized by black outlines, coloring, and shading, has left a lasting impact on me. Comic books have also played a pivotal role in shaping my artistry. Frank Miller, the creator of “The Dark Knight Returns,” stands out with his unique art style. Drawing from these influences, I’ve incorporated tattoo designs into my work, adding a personal touch.

What specific themes or emotions do you aim to capture in your artwork, and how do you achieve that through your creative process?

My aim is to create art that challenges norms, breaks stereotypes, and evokes emotion. My childhood experiences with tattoos, where they were often associated with negativity, inspired me to use famous cartoon characters as vehicles to challenge those perceptions. By giving them tattoo designs, I aimed to convey that all art is beautiful and should not be judged based on appearances.

With a significant Instagram following, how has social media aided in promoting your art and connecting with your audience? How do you engage with your followers?

Before NFTs, most of my clients were sourced from Instagram and Facebook. I’ve been posting daily to showcase my art and talent. Engaging with my followers is vital, as I explain the stories behind my pieces and foster interaction. I also collaborate with fellow artists, creating a vibrant artistic community.

Could you share any notable experiences from your artistic career, especially within the realm of NFTs?

A standout moment was in December 2020, when I applied to SUPERRARE. The following January, I was accepted, and my friend Vangeli and I released a 5-series of NFTs. The collection sold out immediately, marking my impactful entry into the NFT space.

What challenges have you faced as an artist in the digital age, and how have you overcome them? How has the NFT space presented unique opportunities and challenges for you?

A challenge in the digital age is art theft, where people erase signatures and sell art as their own. NFTs address this issue; once purchased, the NFT owner gains full ownership rights. The NFT space offers opportunities to create, share, and sell art while building a community of collectors who value artists’ work and contributions.

Could you walk us through your creative process, from ideation to the final NFT artwork?

I start with sketching, followed by outlining, refining, coloring, and detailing. I draw inspiration from comics, books, and movies, spending days absorbing ideas. Once in my office, I blend various elements to create something new and exciting.

Looking ahead, what are your future plans and goals as an artist in the NFT space? Any exciting projects or collaborations?

My focus is on 1/1 pieces, continuing to offer value to collectors. I strive to maintain quality and support the NFT space, aiding fellow artists. The NFT community’s enthusiasm and appreciation motivate me to keep pushing artistic boundaries.

(Note: The interview has been cleaned up for clarity and coherence, as requested.)

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The Science Behind NFTs: Ensuring the Authenticity of Digital Art through Blockchain Technology

In the contemporary art scene, the concepts of authenticity and originality have always been pivotal. Yet, with digital art becoming more prevalent, ensuring the genuineness of a piece became a nuanced challenge. This challenge was met head-on with the advent of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the revolutionary blockchain technology that backs them.

1. What are NFTs

At its core, an NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a distinct digital asset that’s secured and verified through blockchain technology. This ensures that each token (typically representing a piece of digital art) is truly unique and cannot be duplicated. This is a departure from traditional cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are fungible and interchangeable on a like-for-like basis. Each NFT has a set of unique attributes that make it distinct and therefore non-replaceable.

2. Demystifying Blockchain’s Role in Authenticating Digital Art

Blockchain can best be described as a decentralized digital ledger, chronicling a chain of transactions. Each recorded transaction is transparent and nearly impervious to modifications. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how it bolsters the authenticity of digital art:

• Immutable Records: After an artwork is minted as an NFT on the blockchain, this action forms an indelible record. Subsequent ownership transfers append to this initial record, facilitating a crystal-clear provenance trail of the artwork.
• Transparent Provenance: Blockchain’s transparency provides a dual advantage. Artists can irrefutably claim original creation rights, while collectors can ascertain the legitimacy of the artwork. Every change in ownership, bid, or transfer is documented, offering a comprehensive history of an NFT.
• Smart Contracts and their Efficacy: Smart contracts are essentially automated contracts with terms of agreement encoded directly into lines of code. These can be seamlessly integrated into NFTs. For instance, they can be structured to ensure artists get a specified percentage of sales as royalties whenever the artwork exchanges hands, promoting fair economic practices in the digital art ecosystem.

3. Reshaping the Artistic Landscape

By offering a robust mechanism for verifying authenticity, blockchain technology and NFTs have elevated digital artistry, placing it on a pedestal historically reserved for traditional art mediums. Digital artists can now confidently monetize their creations without the looming threat of unwarranted replication or forgery. Conversely, collectors and investors can rest assured, knowing the digital assets they procure are exclusive and genuine.

4. Glimpsing into the Future: Art and NFTs

With rapid advancements in technology, the horizon seems promising. We foresee more refined methods of authenticating digital art, coupled with the diversification of NFT applications. Beyond art, sectors like music, literature, gaming, and even real estate are beginning to harness the potential of NFTs, signaling a profound shift in how we perceive value and originality in the digital age.

The synthesis of art and technology, as epitomized by NFTs and blockchain, is not just a fleeting trend. It’s a testament to the evolving paradigms of creativity, commerce, and authentication in the digital era.

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