#9 Cosmic Convos with Sailor Mars feat. Rik Lee

We’re already on the ninth Cosmic Convos, the final of the 12 months. I hope you had a merry Christmas and may begin the brand new 12 months stuffed with constructive vitality, and perhaps some additional kilos. Final 12 months was a very good 12 months for NFTs. I personally began my journey on this 12 months. I’ve met many pretty artists and collectors and have already collected lots of artwork. I’m very excited for what’s to come back subsequent 12 months. I personally have some attention-grabbing developments underway and I can’t wait to inform you! Let’s make it an excellent 12 months collectively!

The final however not least artist of the 12 months is Rik Lee. I acquired to know Rik by way of Twitter (as I meet most artists, haha)! His work comprises many sources of inspiration, however his best inspiration is every day life. I like to see which, typically on a regular basis, outfits he chooses for his artwork. I additionally love the main points just like the tattoos he attracts on his characters. Together with his years of expertise as an illustrator and his exhausting work angle, I feel he’s effectively on his strategy to reaching his purpose of inventive and monetary freedom. I can’t wait to see how his assortment continues to develop through the years.

Rei: Hello Rick. I’m very inquisitive about who’s behind the attractive artwork. Are you able to inform me a bit of extra about your self?

Rik: Hello Rei! Okay, I’ll start with one thing I not often inform anybody; my full title is Richard George Barnett Lee. Since I used to be a child, everybody’s known as me Rik. I used to be born in a spot known as Paraparaumu, which is in New Zealand. I grew up in Melbourne, Australia and I presently dwell and attract Bali, Indonesian. When individuals ask I say I’m from Australia as a result of that’s the place I’ve spent nearly all of my life however I really haven’t any Australian blood. My Mum’s household is from New Zealand and my Dad’s household is from the UK. As a child I used to be obsessive about drawing, skateboarding and browsing. On a regular basis I used to be exterior tearing up the neighborhood and entering into mischief however at evening you could possibly discover me in my room, quietly and contently drawing. I crammed sketchbook after sketchbook and was ceaselessly dreaming up tales and characters. Come to think about it, not that a lot has modified! I’m nonetheless obsessive about drawing, skateboarding and browsing and I’m nonetheless ceaselessly daydreaming.

I studied graphic design however after graduating I centered on making it as an illustrator. It’s not been a straightforward street to be trustworthy. I spent years working very lengthy days and late nights. No days off. Sketching away in my Melbourne shared home bed room / studio, scraping by and hoping for a break. Nonetheless, with exhausting work, persistence, perseverance and a bit of luck I’ve slowly however absolutely constructed a profession and a life-style that I like, by doing one thing that I like. Lately, I dwell by the seashore with my spouse Regina and our 3 canine, Tiaki, Susu and India, within the stunning residence we constructed collectively.

Rei: What are your favourite issues to do in addition to making artwork?

Rik: Hanging with Reggie and the canine. Browsing. Touring. Consuming espresso. Having fun with a drink and a very good dialog with buddies. Enjoying data and dancing badly.

Rei: Inform me the way you began making your artwork? How has your particular model developed through the years?

Rik: I began drawing as quickly as I may choose up a crayon! My Dad used to deliver residence these large rolls of paper from his work, which I’d unfold out beneath my Mums ft within the kitchen and draw this epic spaceship battles: Aliens, UFO’s, laser beams, the works. I liked it! In my early teenagers I acquired actually into skateboarding. My buddies and I have been obsessive about skating and all the things related to the subculture, like punk rock music, streetwear, images and artwork. This was within the 90’s and there was lots of good things taking place in these scenes. I’d acquire all of the skateboard magazines, which have been tremendous inspiring to me. I’d attempt to gown like my favourite skaters, hearken to the identical music and draw artwork just like the designs that they had on their skateboard decks. I found artists from that world whose work I admired like Raymond Petittbon and Jim Phillips, which impressed me to strive drawing in an identical, graphic illustration model. After highschool I studied graphic design and continued to develop my illustration abilities whereas studying how to attract digitally. Again then, I rode the prepare to high school and I’d sketch the opposite passengers, specializing in their clothes, which led to an curiosity in style illustration. I started drawing individuals, primarily girls and centered on enhancing my portraiture abilities.

So… lengthy story quick, my artwork is basically only a massive mixture of all these influences and pursuits. I mix a love of graphic artwork with style illustration and portraiture. I combine conventional supplies, like pencils and pastels with digital methods. My work evolves as I refine my technical abilities. It’s a continuing, ongoing course of and I like (virtually) each minute of it!

Rei: What are your sources of inspiration for creating your artwork?

Rik: Ohhh, there’s so many! My greatest inspiration is on a regular basis life. I wish to have a good time individuals, our bodily range and inner complexities. After I draw, I’m impressed by music and low.

Rei: How lengthy do you’re employed in your artwork each day and the way precisely does this course of work?

Rik: After I was youthful and constructing my profession I saved loopy working hours. Now, I attempt to preserve a more healthy work / life steadiness. The canine wake me up round 6am and I stand up and head exterior right away. I wish to spend the primary few hours of my day outdoor being energetic. I’ll begin my working day round 9-10am and I’m typically in my studio till round 6 or 7pm. I’ll take little breaks to see what’s within the fridge, chase the canine round, examine the surf or take pleasure in a drink with a buddy, however more often than not I’m drawing. I not often work at evening; as a substitute I wish to spend the evenings with Regina and our 3 canine, cooking good meals and lounging round.

As for my course of, I make espresso, placed on music and simply… work. There’s at all times one thing to do. I discover if I keep busy, good concepts and inspiration will ultimately come to me. Some days are higher than others after all, nevertheless it’s all about displaying up. I present up each day, weekends included. It’s a very good factor I like what I do!

Rei: Do you’ve a sure vibe that you simply wish to convey together with your artwork?

Rik: I like to inform tales inside my work, so there’s at all times a powerful narrative component. My MADWORLD assortment explores the unhappy, stunning, violent and fantastic world that we feature inside ourselves. It’s about coping with our inner demons and there’s a darkish, dreamlike, romantic vibe. I take advantage of my Basis Gallery as an outlet for chosen works. The themes might be extra different than the work in MADWORLD. As soon as once more, I like to inform tales within the artwork. The narrative might not be apparent and it’s at all times open to the viewer’s interpretation, however there’s at all times that means and intent hidden inside. In the end I would like the viewer to really feel an emotional reference to the work.

Rei: Since when did you begin making NFTs of your artwork? How do you just like the journey within the NFT house thus far?

Rik: I started my NFT journey in October and it’s been a wild journey. I’m shocked by how briskly all the things strikes on this house, it’s continuously shifting and altering, the expertise is ever evolving. It’s thrilling and galvanizing however I discover it overwhelming at instances. It may be troublesome not getting caught up within the FOMO. I’ll examine Twitter and everybody appears to be making, promoting or accumulating nice artwork on a regular basis. Which, in flip, makes me really feel as if I have to work sooner, promote extra or acquire extra. It’s positively not good for my nervousness! Haha.

I attempt to keep calm and transfer ahead at my very own tempo. Reminding myself that it’s not about fast gross sales or quantity of gross sales. It’s about making artwork that I like and constructing a physique of high quality work that I’m pleased with. The good factor in regards to the NFT house is the NFT neighborhood. I’ve met so many nice, supportive individuals and I’ve found a great deal of superior new artists. It’s comforting to know that there are such a lot of like minded creatives on the market. It’s as if we’re all realizing the unbelievable potential of this expertise collectively, constructing it as we go by making and sharing one thing that we love – artwork! Which is a strong, stunning factor.

Rei: Do you’ve any particular targets you wish to obtain within the NFT house?

Rik: Freedom! I hope that the NFT house offers me freedom artistically and financially. A chance to maneuver away from industrial, freelance work and to focus purely on making my very own artwork. That’s the dream: To spend my time making artwork that I like whereas supporting the folks that I like.

Rei: Which artists do you look as much as probably the most, within the NFT world and generally?

Rik: Ohhh, so many! Haha! I’m nervous that if I begin naming names I’ll overlook individuals. I look as much as the artists who’ve welcomed and supported me on this journey. It’s daunting embarking on one thing new, so having individuals attain out and supply recommendation whereas being tremendous supportive and inspiring has been actually cool. I love individuals like that and now I hope I can do the identical for brand spanking new artists who be a part of this house.

Rei: What do you assume the world will appear to be within the subsequent 10/25 years? What place do you assume NFTs may have on this world?

Rik: Wow! That’s a troublesome query. I’m nervous about how bizarre the world will look in 1 12 months not to mention one other 25 years! Haha
I’m an optimist although so I’ll say that we’re heading towards a utopian future. We’re taking an ungainly street there in the meanwhile, however hopefully issues will enhance and us NFT lovers could also be on the forefront of this constructive shift.

You requested me to be inventive so I’ll say that NFT’s create an enormous shift in world wealth. The wealthy, previous jerks who presently rule the world shall be overtaken by a youthful, vibrant era of progressive, inventive minds who will work to unite individuals, celebrating the fantastic range of the human race and the earth we’re so lucky to inhabit. That sounds corny however will probably be superior! And if I’m unsuitable, it’s okay as a result of expertise shall be so superior that we will escape to a digital world of our selecting at any time whereas the actual world burns to the bottom.

Rei: Might you give me a sneak peak of one thing new you might be presently engaged on?

Rik: That is the brand new piece that I’ll be dropping very quickly…

Rei: Lastly, the place can individuals discover extra about you and your artwork?

Rik: For NFT stuff, try Twitter,  OpenSea, Foundation. Additionally try Instagram, Facebook and my website.

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