The "Fruit of Ego" uses a rich emotional palette to reflect the complex reactions to Cattelan’s banana artwork. Using six colors chosen from my Emotional Visualization Palettes, I can tell a visual story reflecting the complex responses to a banana duct-taped to a wall called "Art."

In my opinion, not only is this banana "Art," but it's also the highest form of Trash Art, which, if you know, is high praise coming from me.

Full disclosure: I recently submitted this take on Cattlan's Comedian to SuperRare's Rare Bananas open call. If you like it, let them know!

The six colors I chose were selected from the 13 palettes and 87 emotions found in the bespoke visual language I'm developing for my artistic inquiry into emotional vocabulary.

Copper (#b87333) along the banana’s edges captures Hubris, embodying both the allure and risk of pride in calling a banana “art.”

Charcoal Gray (#36454F) in the tape represents Hate, echoing the friction and distaste some feel toward this audacious piece.

Snow White (#FFFAFA) in the background conveys Humility, offering a clean contrast that suggests simplicity amidst the boldness.

Gold (#FFD700) of the banana brings in Admiration, capturing the respect and fascination sparked by Cattelan’s bold concept, highlighting the success of such an unconventional work.

Dark Gray (#A9A9A9) conveys Disappointment, mirroring the letdown felt by those expecting something more profound.

Finally, Pale Dove Gray (#6D6D6D) embodies Lovelessness, hinting at the emotional distance and detachment that leave viewers questioning the depth of the work.

Web3 platforms are often hailed as a means to empower artists by decentralizing control and removing traditional gatekeepers.

Yet, many artists find themselves facing a new set of challenges.

Instead of dealing with more conventional intermediaries, they navigate the intricacies of blockchain tech, cryptocurrencies, and smart contracts, which can be equally opaque.

Artists feed these platforms with their work but are often subject to fluctuating token values, evolving platform rules, and governance systems that lack transparency.

While Web3 platforms hold the promise of greater autonomy, many artists are still wrestling with the complexities of understanding and controlling how their work is distributed, priced, or monetized.

Despite the promise of freedom, many artists find themselves with limited influence over how their work is discovered or how royalties are structured on Web3 platforms.

These platforms can feel like an invisible cage, where artists contribute to the system's success but have little control over the forces shaping their careers.

Ever feel disconnected from the artwork you're making? Where each project feels like an isolated task, as if you're just checking boxes, rather than contributing to something bigger?

By the end of 2023, I felt completely disconnected from my vision as an artist and the work I was expected to create as Second Realm.

Second Realm is an award-winning artist who revolutionized the use of CryptoPunks for artistic expression. His Unofficial Punks project sparked a decentralized art movement—the Alt Punks. He played a key role in the Trash Art movement, challenging IP, digital ownership, traditional curation, and art censorship.

I’m so proud of what I accomplished as Second Realm, but the disconnect made my work feel fragmented, leaving me frustrated. There was a clear gap between who Second Realm was and what I wanted to bring to life as an artist.

The answer for me was letting go of Second Realm. It wasn’t easy—I still struggle with it. Second Realm was more than just a persona; it was a construct, a safe space, something I’d held close since I was 12.

But the new direction I want doesn’t align with Second Realm anymore.

A deeper, more personal vision began to emerge. I couldn’t fully capture or release it as Second Realm. It felt like the very persona I had operated under since 2019 was holding me back.

There was a larger purpose trying to emerge, but at the time, I didn’t know what it would look like or how to bring it into focus. A year later, I have a much clearer vision of what's next for me as an artist.

In the art world, success for an artist is often measured by fame, gallery shows, or sales. But for many artists, true success is much more personal—centered on creative fulfillment, audience impact, or building meaningful connections. The latest Cryptoart Question of the Week gave a range of thoughts on how artists define and experience success.

Success is Always Evolving

Success isn’t static for some artists—it grows and changes with them. As @thedude shared, “Like the seasons, it always changes. Personal growth is definitely one of them, and finding my unique voice is nestled within that.” He also highlighted the importance of building genuine connections through art, stating that his success lies in “building a community that has genuine connections that allow people to bond through my work.” [1]

He also touched on a key challenge many artists face: sustainability. “A huge part of finding success as an artist is sustainability—finding the balance between my artistic practice, personal life, and the amount of time I spend on here, making sure all of that remains fulfilling rather than a source of stress.” [2] His perspective emphasizes that long-term fulfillment is just as important as short-term accomplishments.

Impact Matters More Than Visibility

For other artists, like @garycartlidge, success is about their work's impact on people. “For me, it always has been impact on the audience. Second to that is personal pleasure—something I needed to say or release.” [3] This view highlights how deeply personal expression and audience reaction can be intertwined, often providing a more lasting sense of success than sales or likes.

However, he also pointed out how digital platforms and algorithms can interfere with this connection. He shared concerns about social media disrupting the visibility of art, making it harder for artists to reach their audiences. [4] For many, balancing visibility with impact remains a key issue in today’s digital world.

Learning as a Marker of Success

@bashobits offered a different take, where continuous learning is the ultimate measure of success. “Until now, I’ve decided to prioritize learning as my North Star in art. So as long as I’m learning from what I’m doing, I call that success.” [5] For him, feedback from others serves as “guardrails from becoming disconnected,” but it’s not the sole driver. [6] This approach allows him to grow creatively while staying grounded in his own exploration.

Completion as Fulfillment

For some, like @sgt-sl8termelon, success comes from finishing a creative idea. “I define success as being able to express a complete idea. Sales are nice, of course, but the fulfillment I’m aiming at is taking an idea about some new thing I want to express and a way of doing it and combining them in the most robust way I can think of.” [7] This perspective shifts the focus from external validation to the satisfaction of realizing a creative vision.

He also recalled a conversation where someone remarked, “It doesn’t matter—it’s a complete expression as a work of art.” [8] This reinforced his belief that success often lies in the process of creation, not necessarily in the outcome or reception.

Defining Success on Your Own Terms

What becomes clear from this discussion is that success in art is deeply personal. It’s not about chasing fame or sales but about fulfilling creative goals, making an impact, and fostering genuine connections. Whether it’s personal growth, balancing life and art, or prioritizing learning, each artist defines success in their own way. In the end, there’s no universal definition of success in art. It’s about finding meaning and satisfaction in a way that aligns with your goals and values, even as those goals evolve over time.

Notes:

1. https://warpcast.com/thedude/0xc50d88ac

2. ibid

3. https://warpcast.com/garycartlidge/0xc00dceb1

4. ibid

5. https://warpcast.com/bashobits/0x4bf11574

6. https://warpcast.com/bashobits/0x46502e53

7. https://warpcast.com/sgt-sl8termelon/0x80a5adca

8. ibid

In the art world, balancing passion and profit is a challenge many artists face. They must navigate fluctuating markets and platforms, which can sometimes feel more exploitative than supportive, while also trying to maintain their creative integrity. This week’s Cryptoart Question of the Week prompted various responses from artists sharing their strategies for sustaining artistic passion and financial success.

Recurring themes emerged from the discussion, including basic incomes as a potential solution for financial stability, profit as a creative driver, the practicality of freelancing and other ways to subsidize art, and the importance of confidence and self-advocacy. These themes illustrate the different approaches artists use to navigate the complexities of the art world while remaining true to their creative vision.

Basic Incomes

One of the most intriguing ideas came from @ilannnnnnkatin, who proposed that a basic income could free artists from the pressure of market forces. He envisioned a world where artists wouldn’t need to create work out of financial desperation. Instead, he could produce “something beautiful they know in their heart is possible,” sparking a transformative shift in the art world. [1]

@y0b supported the idea by pointing out research that shows how financial stress limits cognitive ability, which in turn restricts artistic potential. With financial burdens lifted, he believes more artists would be able to produce their best work, leading to greater diversity and creativity in the community. [2]

Profit as a Creative Driver

While some participants advocated for a basic income to protect the integrity of art, others saw profit as a vital motivator for creativity. @sgt-sl8termelon argued that profit could “spur deep dives and fanatical obsessive large-scale projects,” which might not happen otherwise. He acknowledged that the pursuit of profit risks corrupting the purity of art. Still, he emphasized that it can also drive innovation and productivity, particularly when improving one’s material conditions is at stake. “Beyond a certain threshold, if you have a family, it just becomes selfish indulgence,” he added, suggesting that financial incentives can push artists to create more impactful work. [3]

Similarly, @maxximillian.eth embraced profit as a bold driver, stating, “I want to leverage my passion for 9999X profit.” [4] This highlights the ambition to push creative work for substantial financial gain, even though the group overall acknowledged the tension between profit and passion. This tension shows that profit can either fuel an artist’s drive or risk undermining their passion, depending on how it’s balanced.

Freelancing and Subsidizing Art

Freelancing emerged as a practical way to balance financial needs with artistic pursuits. @eddie shared that freelancing “for money, art on the side” is a common strategy among artists. [5] This approach allows artists to sustain themselves financially while leaving room for creative projects. Freelancing, he noted, creates opportunities for experimentation, which can inform and refine artistic direction. However, he cautioned that freelancing, wildly when unrelated to the artist’s skills, can limit their full potential. [6]

For @mxjxn.eth, full-time work offered a different kind of freedom. After stepping away from full-time art to take a day job, he found that the financial stability allowed him to create only when he felt creatively ready, avoiding the rush to produce art purely for profit. While freelancing or balancing other work with art may not be ideal for every artist, it can provide a crucial safety net, enabling more thoughtful, intentional creative work.

Confidence and Self-Advocacy

Finally, confidence and self-advocacy emerged as critical themes in balancing passion and profit. @gressie highlighted the importance of confidence in one’s artistic vision as key to navigating the market without compromising personal integrity. Encouraging artists to “keep moving and speak for your art as much as your art speaks for you,” suggesting that self-advocacy allows artists to stay true to their creative instincts while engaging with the commercial side of the art world. This balance of confidence and strategic self-promotion helps artists thrive both creatively and financially. [8]

The discussion around balancing passion and profit revealed various strategies artists use to sustain their work. While some see basic income as a way to escape market pressures, others find profit a driving force for creativity. Working for someone else provides another option for financial stability; through it all, confidence and self-advocacy remain crucial. Ultimately, no solution works for everyone, but rather, a spectrum of approaches artists can use to navigate the ever-evolving art world.

Notes

1. https://warpcast.com/ilannnnnnnnkatin/0xcd1aca59

2. https://warpcast.com/y0b/0x0085d693

3. https://warpcast.com/sgt-sl8termelon/0x833d88ed

4. https://warpcast.com/maxximillian/0xfecf66a1

5. https://warpcast.com/eddie/0x7646296d

6. https://warpcast.com/eddie/0xb383e308

7. https://warpcast.com/mxjxn.eth/0x38437e03

8. https://warpcast.com/gressie/0xdefc7129

In today’s oversaturated onchain marketplace, art breaks free from its medium.

As our screens are inundated with content, the narrative of art creation shifts from the process to the essence it conveys.

This metamorphosis brings the message to the forefront, enabling art to forge a more immediate connection with its viewers.

Traditionally, digital art's meaning was tied to its medium, but in a crowded landscape, that bond weakens.

The emphasis now is on impact, resonance, and engagement—valuing ideas over aesthetics.

This shift democratizes art, stripping away barriers of exclusivity and making room for new voices.

Digital art becomes less about status and connection, engaging viewers in a dialogue beyond surface appeal.

Saturated markets challenge us to value art for its essence, freeing it to inspire, provoke, and connect without the limits of its physical form.

As we navigate this landscape, we see art’s true power: not in what it’s made of, but in the ideas it delivers.

Our culture’s undervaluation of the arts and critical thinking is more than an educational gap—it’s a systemic issue deeply embedded in our society.

The problem starts with an education system that sidelines these subjects, treating them as non-essential compared to STEM fields.

This is compounded by an economic reality where many parents are stretched thin, working multiple jobs to make ends meet.

When parents, the primary influencers in a child's life, are too preoccupied, they have less opportunity to foster creativity and critical thinking in their children.

We’re losing something vital: the ability to think broadly, question deeply, and appreciate the world through a creative lens.

It's not just about changing what we teach; it’s about fundamentally revaluing what we consider important in our schools and homes.

We need to create space for arts and critical thinking, recognizing them as essential skills that help shape well-rounded, thoughtful individuals prepared for the complexities of modern life.

Choosing the right platform to mint your art can feel overwhelming, especially given how quickly on-chain technology evolves.

But if you're constantly jumping from one platform to the next without settling down, how can you expect collectors to connect with you?

Exploring different platforms is a natural part of finding the best fit for your work. I’m not saying don’t explore—absolutely, take the time to see what’s out there.

Dedicating yourself to one platform, at least for a while, can be far more beneficial for building a collector base.

Ultimately, the specific platform or chain you choose matters less if you’re spreading yourself too thin across too many places.

Every artist’s situation is unique, but consistency and a sense of home in one thing can make all the difference.

As artists, many of us resist being seen as a product.

Art, especially when created with passion, might feel like it should be about pure expression, not something to be bought and sold.

But here’s the paradox: when you share and sell your work, the line between creator and product starts to blur.

Like it or not, both we and our art are often viewed as products.

By not taking an active role in shaping our narrative or engaging in thoughtful marketing, we willingly—whether consciously or unconsciously—give up control.

And that’s the crux of the paradox: even if we choose not to market, others will market us—just not in ways we can guide.

So, as an artist, I’d rather influence how people perceive me and my art, even if it means stepping into spaces I’d rather avoid.

The idea of “art for art’s sake” captures a romantic notion: art existing purely for its beauty, free from any purpose beyond itself.

Championed by figures like Oscar Wilde and Claude Monet, this philosophy suggests art needs no justification beyond its form, liberating it from societal expectations or practical use.

It’s an appealing thought—art as a pure, unbound expression of creativity.

But as alluring as this idea is, it often falls short of reality. Art doesn’t exist in isolation; it reflects the world, the artist’s experiences, and the cultural context in which it’s created.

Suggesting that art is valuable only for its aesthetics ignores the layers of meaning that come from its connection to society, history, and personal narratives.

Art seen purely through the lens of beauty risks becoming detached, missing the broader impact it has on its audience and the world.

The problem with “art for art’s sake” is that it reduces art to decoration, stripping it of its power to challenge, inspire, and reflect deeper truths.

Art is inherently a conversation—a dynamic exchange between creator and viewer.

By insisting that art is just about form, we lose sight of what makes it meaningful: its ability to connect, provoke, and resonate beyond the surface.