Emotions are powerful and often immediate, but they don’t have to dictate how we respond to events.

A key insight I’ve gained through my recent creative exploration is the importance of separating the emotion from the event itself.

This practice allows me to fully experience the emotion without letting it blur my judgment.

The goal isn’t to suppress emotions but to engage with them more deeply and more intentionally.

By creating space for both feeling and clarity, emotions can act as valuable guides without taking control of my decisions or actions.

That said, I’m not perfect at it by any stretch of the imagination.

But I’m better at it today than I was yesterday.

Floor price and follower counts offer quick snapshots but miss what drives real growth: audience feedback.

Engaging directly with comments, messages, and reviews reveals what truly resonates.

It’s not just about likes; it’s about understanding how your work connects and evolves.

A strong feedback loop—listening, learning, and adjusting—refines your approach and builds deeper connections.

This fosters loyalty among current fans and attracts new ones, ensuring your art stays relevant and impactful.

Focus on feedback, and you’ll not only grow your audience but also strengthen the bond that fuels lasting success.

Art has always been more than just creative expression; it's a reflection of our times.

But as long as art has existed, it’s also been bought, sold, and commodified.

Today, with the collision of traditional and onchain technology, art’s role as a market commodity is more pronounced than ever

During the Renaissance, wealthy families like the Medicis were early investors, funding artists and influencing what was created.

By the 18th century, auctions like Christie’s and Sotheby’s formalized the trading of art, setting the stage for today’s art market.

Today, mega-galleries like Gagosian and art fairs like Art Basel drive trends and sales, setting the tone for what’s valuable.

The art market has become the Fashion Week of the creative world, where the right spotlight from critics or influencers can skyrocket an artist’s value.

The digital age has brought a new twist with NFTs, turning digital art into high-value assets.

Artists like Beeple and XCOPY have sold digital works for millions, thanks to blockchain technology that verifies ownership and authenticity.

Art isn’t just for collectors—it’s also seen as a solid investment.

Works by major artists often appreciate dramatically, like Basquiat’s “Untitled,” which went from $19,000 in 1984 to $110.5 million in 2017.

The art market reached $64.1 billion in sales in 2019, proving it’s a serious player in the investment world.

But with digital artworks treated like investments, ethical questions arise: Should artists earn royalties from resales? Does putting a price tag on art diminish its cultural value?

As Ai Weiwei pointed out, art helps us find truth—but the challenge is balancing that truth with market demands.

Art’s journey from expression to commodity is complex, blending passion with profit.

As the market evolves, so will the art world, shaped by artists, investors, and everyone in between.

The challenge ahead for the artist is finding harmony between creativity and commerce.

In the art world, a quiet tension has persisted for centuries, growing more intense in our hyper-connected age.

It’s the age-old debate about the purpose and value of art, a clash between artistic integrity and the allure of the market.

Many artists embrace the idea of creating for art’s sake, valuing their work’s intrinsic worth above all else.

This purist approach celebrates unfiltered expression, untouched by market trends or commercial pressures.

But the reality is more complex.

Even the most dedicated artists often desire recognition and the rewards of market success.

The art market, however, is fickle and often rewards those who align with trends, savvy marketing, the right connections, or even a little bit of luck, which doesn’t always align with pure artistic intent.

This friction often leads to frustration, particularly when artists see others perceived as less talented as gaining success.

Critiquing the system and pointing fingers at the art market’s unpredictability is easy.

Some even lean into elitist attitudes, believing there’s a “right” way to create or appreciate art, gatekeeping who gets to participate.

Yet, art’s value is inherently subjective, and such exclusion undermines its very essence.

Ultimately, the challenge for artists is balancing idealism with realism.

Marketplace success doesn’t diminish the intrinsic value of art; it’s just one piece of a broader definition of success that varies for each artist.

Whether it’s commercial recognition, peer validation, or personal fulfillment, the key is for artists to define success on their own terms and find their path amid the contradictions of art and commerce.

Homebuilders know that you need a solid foundation before you can build up.

Rushing construction leads to cracks and instability down the line.

The same goes for artists looking to expand their reach through collaborations, new platforms, or exploring different mediums.

Before jumping into new opportunities, make sure your core is solid.

Understand your values, refine your vision, and ensure your current projects are stable.

Just as a homebuilder carefully plans every foundation layer, artists should strategically approach expansion, ensuring each new move aligns with their artistic goals.

Expansion isn’t just about saying yes to every opportunity; it’s about knowing when you’re ready to grow.

A strong foundation sets you up for lasting success, allowing you to build confidently without compromising your art’s integrity.

Fashion brands know that timing is everything.

They don’t just launch collections randomly—they align releases with seasons, fashion weeks, or cultural moments to maximize impact.

This strategic timing helps them stay relevant and capture the market’s attention.

Artists can learn from this approach.

Before diving into a new project, platform, or medium, take stock of the landscape.

Pay attention to market trends, community buzz, and technological shifts.

Just like fashion brands carefully plan their drops, artists should be strategic about when to launch new collections or explore new avenues.

Success isn’t just about creating; it’s about knowing when and where to introduce your work for maximum impact.

By timing your moves thoughtfully, you can align your art with the right moments and make a bigger splash.

In the art world, feeling valued is everything.

Artists, collectors, gallerists—we all want to be seen and appreciated for what we bring to the table.

The art industry can seem transactional, focused on market values and behind-the-scenes deals, but at its core, it’s a community fueled by passion.

Artists pour their hearts into their work, each piece a personal expression shared with the world. Feeling valued inspires them to keep creating and pushing boundaries.

Collectors, whose support helps sustain the art ecosystem, also deserve recognition for their role in championing new talent.

And gallery owners and curators? They’re the bridge, connecting art to audiences and nurturing the cultural landscape.

Appreciation doesn’t just feel good—it drives the entire art community forward. It reminds us that beyond the sales and the shows, we’re all part of something bigger.

So let’s celebrate each other’s contributions and keep the art world vibrant, connected, and alive.

Traditional spaces no longer bind artists—technology has shattered barriers, opening endless creative possibilities.

But be mindful of echo chambers. Immersing yourself too deeply in a single community or platform can limit your perspective.

While today’s tools feel revolutionary, what endures is the story, emotion, and connection behind your art.

Seek inspiration beyond your usual circles.

Step outside your comfort zone, engage with diverse ideas, and create art that reflects the wider human experience.

The future of art is expansive—keep your vision broad and your mind open.

Your time is coming. Stay patient.

The digital art space is moving at breakneck speed.

Markets are flooded with opportunity, money, and hype and it’s easy to feel the pull of urgency.

The pressure to jump in, follow trends, and capture fleeting gains can be overwhelming.

But patience isn’t inaction—it’s about being intentional.

Rushing risks aligning with what’s temporary instead of what’s meaningful.

For me, patience is staying anchored to my vision and creating work that reflects my values, not the noise around me.

It’s trusting the process even when the pace feels slow.

The same truth holds in art, business, or life: what’s truly worth it doesn’t come from chasing the crowd.

It comes from consistency, clarity, and timing. Keep showing up, focus on what you can control, and let the right opportunities unfold.

The right moment will come.

And when it does, you’ll know you stayed true to what matters most.

Years ago, I read Jeff Goins’ Real Artists Don’t Starve, and one idea stayed with me: practice in public. It inspired me to embrace visibility as a tool for growth, connection, and refinement in my creative journey.

In the early days, I minted work wherever inspiration struck, freely exploring and experimenting. While this fueled my passion, reflecting on my work as Second Realm taught me a deeper lesson: sharing art isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being intentional.

Today, I’ve chosen Rodeo as the platform for tokenizing experiments and studies—a platform aligned with my goals of composability and accessibility. Centralizing (eek!) this type of work allows me to create a curated and thoughtful digital sketchbook, inviting others into my behind-the-scenes processes with focus and purpose.

Jeff’s book planted the seed for this approach, but my journey has shaped how I apply it. Art that lasts isn’t about frequency; it’s about significance. Practicing in public remains central to what I do, but now it’s paired with purpose: to build up to a deeper and more meaningful series of artworks that connect, inspire, and endure.

Side note: even this blog is an extension of practicing in public—an ongoing dialogue where each post reflects my commitment to growth and engagement.