From Brushstrokes to Blockchain: My Artistic Journey Into NFTs
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Introduction: A New Frontier for Equine Fantasy Art
Welcome to Nadine & Ripley, where hooves meet high fantasy and every canvas tells a story. If you’ve been following my work for a while, you know that I pour my soul into equestrian-themed digital mixed media artwork, often blending traditional painting, photography, and recently, AI-assisted elements to create original, layered, and emotionally resonant compositions. But today, I want to talk about something new: NFTs. Specifically, how I, a horse-loving artist with a ranch full of animals, found my way into the world of digital collectibles and launched my first Pegasus-themed NFT art collection.
This post isn’t just about sales or hype. It’s about growth, adaptation, and storytelling in a brand-new space. Whether you're a fellow artist, an NFT collector, or just curious about what the buzz is all about, I invite you to read on and explore this new chapter with me.
What is an NFT Anyway?
NFT stands for non-fungible token. In simple terms, it's a digital certificate of ownership that lives on a blockchain—usually Ethereum. Unlike cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, which are interchangeable, NFTs are unique. Each token represents ownership of a specific item, such as artwork, music, video, or even virtual real estate.
Think of it as a digital proof of authenticity. When you buy an NFT, you own a verifiable, original copy of the digital file, along with metadata such as the creator, time of creation, and transaction history.
Why I Entered the NFT Space
As someone who has always straddled the line between art and entrepreneurship, I’m constantly looking for new ways to connect with audiences and collectors. Over the last year, I noticed the rise of NFT art, but like many artists, I was hesitant at first.
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Is it too technical?
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Will people value my work?
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Is it sustainable?
After months of research, joining NFT groups, reading up on blockchain technology, and talking to collectors and artists already active in the space, I decided to take the plunge. What finally convinced me? The opportunity to retain ownership, earn royalties on resales, and connect with a global community of art lovers who value uniqueness, narrative, and originality.
My First NFT Collection: The Pegasus Collection
I launched my first NFT series under the theme "Pegasus Guardians" —a collection of digital composite paintings inspired by my real-life horses, especially Oso and Obsidian, who often serve as my muses.
1. "Ripley & Obsidian: Legacy of the Skies"
A mother and son moment immortalized in a palace of golden light. This piece blends myth, matriarchy, and moonlit elegance, with detailed digital brushwork layered over composited elements and glowing effects.
2. "Oso, Guardian of the Keep"
Oso, in majestic armor inspired by one of my original concept artworks, now brought to life in real-world cosplay armor crafted by my dear friend Rob from Fangorn Ranch. This piece captures strength, stillness, and a sense of sacred duty.
3. "Arcane Aegis"
A more abstract and symbolic piece, this design features a mystical unicorn shield adorned with crystals and swirling magical motifs, surrounded by an alchemical geometric background. This was one of my most technical works, blending hand-painted details with symmetrical design.
Each artwork is available for purchase as a limited edition NFT, with metadata linking to a detailed story about the creation process, the horse that inspired it, and behind-the-scenes photos.
How I Create NFT Artwork
Contrary to what some might assume, I don’t just type a prompt into an AI tool and call it a day. Here’s a peek into my process:
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Concept Sketching: Everything starts with a story. A feeling. A vibe. I might sketch ideas inspired by a trail ride, a dream, or a moment between horse and rider.
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AI-Assisted Visualization: I use AI to help mock-up ideas, especially when I need references that don’t exist in stock photography (I still use stock and my own photography btw, especially to ensure correct equine anatomy and likeness to my own horses). Getting the right look takes iteration after iteration of prompt refinement.
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Photoshop Magic: The real magic happens here. I composite images, paint over them, adjust anatomy, color, and lighting, and blend in original photography or textures.
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Final Touches: Every piece gets my branding, signature, and is exported in high resolution for both print and NFT formats.
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Minting: I use platforms like OpenSea or Rarible (which allow lazy minting with no upfront gas fees) to upload and mint my work to the Ethereum blockchain.
Why This Matters: Value Beyond the Canvas
NFTs allow artists like me to create limited edition digital artworks that are traceable, ownable, and tradable. Instead of selling a print that might be copied a hundred times over without my consent, I can now issue unique, numbered, and verifiable pieces that collectors can take pride in owning.
Better yet, if an NFT is resold later on, I can receive a small royalty automatically. That’s revolutionary for artists trying to create sustainable careers.
No Upfront Investment? Yes, You Can Start for Free
Many platforms now support gasless minting (also called lazy minting), which means you don’t have to pay anything upfront to mint your NFT. The transaction only occurs when someone buys it.
If you're interested in doing this yourself:
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Set up a MetaMask wallet
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Connect to OpenSea.io
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Create a collection and upload your work
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Choose the lazy minting option (Polygon blockchain or similar)
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Promote it via your social media and community
Community Matters: Let’s Build Something Together
I’m not here just to drop and dash or even gatekeep. I want to build a community around storytelling, fantasy, horses, and beautiful digital art. I’m constantly learning, growing, and finding new ways to push boundaries.
So if you’re into equine fantasy, ethereal storytelling, or just want to support a working artist juggling a full household (seriously, five horses, four dogs, a kid, and a ranch!), come follow the journey.
Join me on:
Conclusion: This Is Just the Beginning
NFTs are not a fad. They are a new medium. A new way for artists to own their work, connect directly with collectors, and turn their visions into something lasting and dynamic.
For me, this is just the beginning. I have plans for more collections—some more grounded in traditional media, others pushing even further into magical realism. Or perhaps I will bring out my camera and capture some beautiful photography. And yes, they’ll all involve horses.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for supporting. And if you feel like owning a piece of the Nadine & Ripley journey, check out my NFT collection today.
Until next time,
Stay wild, dream vividly, and ride free.
— Nadine & Ripley