While BizarreBeasts NFTs might seem simply rooted in the vibrant world of illustration, cartooning, and pop culture, the truth is, my inspiration for this collection of work runs far deeper. It's a journey that takes me back thousands of years to the mysterious creations of ancient civilizations, across continents, and through the halls of renowned art museums.
I've spent years immersed in the study of ancient cultures, poring over vintage books and photographs, and translating those influences onto canvas and into countless sketches. This dedication to understanding the art of our ancestors has shaped the BizarreBeasts aesthetic—a unique style that blends ancient echoes with modern sensibilities.
To fully realize this vision, I spent a few years filling sketchbooks with illustrations and building a portfolio of canvas paintings under the "BizarreBeasts" concept. This dedicated period allowed me to experiment with different techniques, explore textures, and refine my characters before transitioning to the digital realm.
From the awe-inspiring Nazca Lines etched into the Peruvian desert—the Monkey, the Hummingbird, the Hands—to the mysterious megaliths of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey and the hauntingly beautiful Paleolithic cave paintings of Lascaux, France, I've always been captivated by the power and mystery of ancient art.
My travels have fueled this fascination, taking me to ancient ruins in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. I've explored cities like Valladolid and Tulum in the heart of the Yucatan, immersing myself in the rich history of these regions. In Europe, I've wandered through the historic streets of Spain, France, Switzerland, Monaco, and Germany, encountering remnants of civilizations past. Closer to home in the USA, I've traversed the diverse landscapes of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, Idaho, Texas, California, and Oregon, connecting with the inspiring artistic heritage of Native American cultures throughout the region.
Echoes of the Ancients
My work reflects the primitive essence and mystery found in ancient artifacts and art forms. One of the most striking features of these ancient works is their use of minimal perspective and calculated line work. Just like the iconic Nazca Lines, my artwork often utilizes a single, continuous line to form the outline and silhouette of each BizarreBeast. This technique not only creates a sense of fluidity and movement but also echoes the ancient practice of capturing a subject's essence with minimal detail.
Encountering the Masters at the Louvre in Paris
While ancient art forms the foundation of my inspiration, my artistic journey has also been shaped by encounters with modern masters. A pivotal moment occurred during a visit to the Louvre in Paris, where I stood mesmerized before Francisco Goya's masterpiece, "Saturn Devouring His Son." I remember being transfixed, staring at the painting in silence for what felt like an eternity. The raw power and emotional intensity of Goya's work left an indelible mark, expanding my understanding of the possibilities of artistic expression.
From that moment on, I sought to bridge the gap between ancient and modern art, between the mundane and the captivating, creating a unique style that converges these seemingly disparate influences. My artistic heroes, like Picasso, Goya, Salvador Dalí, Basquiat, and, most importantly, Jean Dubuffet, the pioneer of the Art Brut movement in the early to mid-1900s, have all played a role in shaping my artistic vision. Dubuffet's experimentation with musical composition, art, and architectural environments in the 1960s particularly resonated with me, inspiring me to explore the intersection of different art forms.
The BizarreBeasts: A Convergence of Influences
My BizarreBeasts are a culmination of these diverse inspirations. They're quirky, sarcastic, and full of interesting personality, reflecting the vibrant energy of pop art, comics, and animation I enjoyed as a young aspiring illustrator. Yet, they also carry an echo of something ancient and primal. It's this juxtaposition that makes them so captivating, inviting viewers to explore a world where the past and present collide.
https://zora.co/collect/base:0x5aa250093fb51303fd269336d439495b2c4fa3ef/9https://zora.co/collect/base:0x5aa250093fb51303fd269336d439495b2c4fa3ef/3The Journey Continues
As I continue to explore the world of art and NFTs with BizarreBeasts artwork and comics, I'm constantly seeking new ways to bridge the gap between ancient and modern, between the physical and the digital. The BizarreBeasts are more than just a collection of quirky characters; they're a reflection of my artistic journey, a celebration of creativity, and a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend time and connect us to the past, present, and future.
BizarreBeasts are hand-illustrated, original characters featured in onchain artwork, comic strips, and now - music! Join my Hypersub to receive weekly onchain comics dropped to your wallet, and more BIZARRE perks! (such as the Night Beast track NFT)
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Read my @paragraph: Beyond The Comics 📰 Explore the ancient inspirations behind BizarreBeasts NFTs! From the Nazca Lines to Goya's masterpieces, my distinctive art merges primitive essence with modern atheistic. https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics?referrer=0x3FDD6aFEd7a19990632468c7102219d051E685dB
Wish you the best my dearest Artist friend 🫶🏻
thanks mfren!
Learn more about my inspiration and the origins of the BizarreBeasts on @paragraph! https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
Learn more about my inspiration and the origins of the BizarreBeasts on @paragraph! https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
thanks for a news!
It's a very good project but How does the future of this project look?
Learn more about my inspiration and the origins of the BizarreBeasts on @paragraph! https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
Learn more about my inspiration and the origins of the BizarreBeasts on @paragraph! https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
Learn more about my inspiration and the origins of the BizarreBeasts on @paragraph! https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
Hello world — back with our 22nd edition of Paragraph Picks, bringing you some hand-selected pieces of writing over the past week or so!
@naomiii reflects on the timeless value of old books in a fast-paced, modern world, emphasizing their ability to challenge biases, offer direct insights, and evoke profound emotional connections. "Isn’t it deeply satisfying to feel compassion with someone who lived centuries before us?" https://paragraph.xyz/@cryptonao/why-read-old-books
@ccarella.eth explores how individual ambitions thrive within networks, emphasizing the importance of alignment, collaboration, and shared values in transforming personal efforts into collective achievements. "Memetic networks harness the power of memes, cultural units that encapsulate complex ideas in accessible and participatory forms, to engage individuals in collective meaning-making." https://paragraph.xyz/@ccarella/higher-coded-networks
@chukwukaosakwe dives into the performances and strategies of various Premier League teams this season highlighting Chelsea’s rebuilding consistency, Brentford’s defensive struggles, and Manchester United’s managerial missteps, as well as this quote on Tottenham: "The problem is not that the ship is leaky. The problem is that the leaks are self-inflicted to a large extent and the captain stands on the deck watching the ship fill up with water and does nothing about the leaks." https://paragraph.xyz/@thefalsenine/what-weve-learned-about-the-premier-league-so-far-1
GM /bullcasters! I have written a new piece about the origin and my inspiration for creating the BizarreBeasts! My artwork might seem like it's straight out of a comic book, but their true origins lie in the mysteries of ancient art. 🗿✨ Think Nazca Lines, cave paintings, and tribal carvings... these ancient wonders have a HUGE influence on my creations. "I've spent years immersed in the study of ancient cultures... This dedication to understanding the art of our ancestors has shaped the BizarreBeasts aesthetic." 🔥 Uncover the secrets behind BizarreBeasts in my latest @paragraph Let's discuss! 👇 What ancient wonders inspire YOU? https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
🤔 Where does the inspiration for BizarreBeasts comes from? I will tell you! 🤔 It's more than just comics and pop art... Ancient mysteries and the timeless beauty of nature play a HUGE role! 🌍✨ "The BizarreBeasts are a culmination of diverse inspirations, bridging the gap between ancient and modern art. They're quirky, playful, and full of personality, yet they also carry an echo of something ancient and primal." 🔥 Check out my latest @paragraph to dive deeper into my artistic journey in creating the BizarreBeasts! Let's chat! 👇 What do YOU think about the influence of ancient art on contemporary creations? https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics
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✨ Unveiling the Ancient Secrets of BizarreBeasts! ✨ My art might look like it's all comics and pop art, but there's a hidden layer of inspiration you might not expect... Ancient art! 😮 Think Nazca Lines, cave paintings, and tribal carvings – these ancient wonders have a HUGE influence on my BizarreBeasts creations. "I sought to bridge the gap between ancient and modern art, creating a unique style that converges these seemingly disparate influences." 🔥 Curious to learn more? Check out my latest @paragraph (Thanks to @mxjxn.eth for the prompt this week, it pushed me to create this piece!) 💬 Are you inspired by ancient artwork or artifacts? https://paragraph.xyz/@bizarrebeasts/beyond-the-comics