Right so this artist blasted onto WAX blockchain a couple of weeks ago and I remember buying his NFT in the wax attax event I am nearly sure he was in the first event and since then he has grown so much into the community so I had to see what was behind the project.
Hey
Hey
How you today?
I am fine! always trying to get my head in order. Lately it's been a big rush.
How come?
For the last two years I've been working exclusively with art commissions and content production for Instagram and twitch. But with my entry into the world of NFTs I've had to deal with both. It's hard to find a balance while paying the bills. You know? I mean, with NFTs it's always a lot of information and I need to research, study and try out new ideas.
Of course what made you come into crypto?
Cool story: I follow a youtuber named Cauê Moura here in Brazil and he has something around 1 million followers on Instagram. In several of his more recent videos he makes very grotesque criticisms of NFTS. As a way of playing with the subject, I decided to create a collection of more than 100,000 PFP NFTs of it and distribute it among anyone who tagged me in stories (at the time I didn't even know what a "PFP" was), the fact is that the little video I made came to him and he shared it in his stories. The video is this: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZxaI4xgUNQ/
When he shared it I gained hundreds of new followers and with them hundreds of requests from these PFPs which I dubbed "fake NFT" since they weren't really minted. One of these people was the rapper JRG who is also Brazilian and liked the joke. He told me that it would be interesting for me to know more about cryptos and NFTs. I've always found the idea interesting, but information on the subject is still not well disseminated around here and that's why it was very important for me to have this initial support from JRG, who even lent me the 5 waxes needed to create my wallet. It was a 3 day job and I delivered these fake NFTs to almost 500 people. The video ended up with about 140,000 views. It was an amazing experience and opened my eyes to endless possibilities.
Wow so you are now minting on wax is because of JRG?
Exactly. He gave me all the support possible, introduced me to the scenario and to this day answers several questions about crypto. Something nice to mention is that at the beginning he hired me to do the initial part of the look of what will be his new PFP collection scheduled for release on April 21st. A job I put a lot of effort into. My little way of thanking him.
So tell us about your project?
So, the project is called Pin-up Succubus Cult (Succubi is the plural of succubus) and I set out to create 5 main characters, Succubus, who in popular culture and mythology are female beings who absorb the vital energy of men. The idea is that each Succubus represents a negative aspect that can consume us in today's world, such as drug use in general (Coffee Succubus) or entertainment (E-Girl Succubus). What I think is coolest is that the succubus themselves in this little fictional universe of mine are not necessarily bad (and neither is what they represent). On the contrary, drugs (both legal and illegal) often help us get through a hard day. Entertainment, on the other hand, does not always come just to lobotomize us, but also serves as a refuge from all the pressure of everyday life. I also love the pin-up aesthetic and I thought it was really cool to combine the two since the sensuality I wanted to attribute to the Succubus would not be something deliberate on their part, but natural almost unintentionally. Behind the scenes, as an artist I see this collection as a big laboratory where I want to test all the possibilities at my disposal. From world building and storytelling to complex mechanics involving Neftyblocks technology and beyond. All to create interesting and fun material that captivates the public and collectors.
When did you launch?
The first succubus was released on March 12 during the first Wax Attax and the plan was to release the rest by the end of April. But the whole thing was coming to life and mostly interacting with real-world events (like the Shnnazy art contest). So I believe this collection has the potential to last until the end of 2022.
That long . What was it called and can we see it?
The first is called Coffee Succubus. Probably my favorite so far.
How did the community react?
Surprisingly well! The 30 copies offered for sale sold out in approximately 15 minutes. Which ended up attracting attention to the collection and taking its average value to heights. There are people in the community who today have a small "fortune" just from Coffee Succubus. And I'm even sad that I didn't save one for myself haha
That's class it sold out that quick . How many have you dropped since?
Since then I launched another Succubus called E-Girl Succubus which won the first thematic variant of the collection. In addition, I've launched a "succubi artifact" that gives its owner a reward in the form of a commission when bought from anyone's market. So far there were 144 mints with another 50 in the sticker style to drop today.
Oh wow how do you create your art?
I work on the computer and initially use photoshop. I tend to be inspired mainly by photographic references of art in the pin-up style. In a second moment I have used After Effects to create small animations. It's still not much, but I hope in the future to incorporate more and more of this kind of thing in my work as I study more about the software.
How long does each NFT take to create?
Something around 3 to 4 days. Which is fast compared to other jobs I've done before. But precisely because I'm balancing commissions and crypto art. In a second season of the Succubi, around 2023 I expect to have projects that are more and more complex and challenging because at the end of the day, going further and doing better is something that often moves me more than the financial side.
So this is a long term project?
Oh yes, Definitely. Although I develop others in parallel, what I'm doing now with Pin-Up Succubi Cult is something I've wanted to do since I started drawing and now with NFTs I've gained the possibility to develop more quickly. It's something I definitely would like to help shape my future as an artist.
Have you done collabs?
I've already received some really cool proposals for collaborations, but I haven't been able to create anything specific yet. I want time to consolidate my collection before embarking on a joint project. I mean, I still have a lot to learn and when the time comes to do a collab, I hope to take a differential with the weight of my "brand". You know?
Is there a dream one for you when you are ready?
For sure. I see my work not only as a form of livelihood and expression, but also as a tool that gives me freedom. Freedom in the face of borders and work models. And one of the things I dream of doing is taking my work to other countries, participating in events and exchanging experiences with professionals from different areas. Not only do it, but live it.
I meant an artist you would like to collab with?
There are many talented people that I would see collab with me in the near future, wonderful people who accompany me daily and vice versa, but speaking of dreams, I think there is a list with some names here that are still far away from me, but that I admire A LOT: Cryptoflash, Byron, Mikeemyk from Rusty the Red Panda and Shnazzy.
Do you have favorite artist?
Lately I've been a little obsessed with Rockin'Jelly Bean's work. An illustrator who I believe is Japanese and who wears a Mexican wrestling mask. Awesome. Not just for the job, but for the rock and roll attitude he seems to associate with his brand. He mainly creates lewd and NSFW art. But it also has amazing works inspired by pop culture in general. Mainly science fiction and horror films.
What has been the favorite part project?
The best part without a doubt is to rest after launching a new mint watching people enjoying the work, commenting and asking what the next steps will be and of course, seeing them supporting the project financially because in addition to guaranteeing the payment of the bills, when someone uses money to support something, it provides a future for that and for me it means that I was able to show a little bit of my vision and all of its potential to someone else and sharing that vision is the big goal.
What the hardest part of doing the project?
Needing to create high resolution illustrations and animate them, but have a potato as a computer. Including first-hand information here. My next Succubus is going to be the biggest and best yet. It will be called Tech-Succubus and it has to do with all this difficulty I go through.
What your family think of your project?
Look, I came from a family of non-artists and I live in a country (Brazil) that doesn't value this work. So they worry about my future haha.
Of course are you doing this full time?
Yes, in the last two years. When I say it out loud, it always seems to be the realization of a dream, but the truth is that starting to work with it in an integral way is more like one of the first steps than the realization of a dream. It's still a lot of work, sleepless nights, back pain and no time off.
Will your collection spread into other blockchains?
I don't see that happening in the recent future. There are many interesting tools on the wax blockchain, many creative projects and a vibrant community. It's the perfect terrain for someone thirsty for information and knowledge, and I'm like that right now.
What you do to relax?
I love comics so I consume everything that involves superheroes such as Marvel and DC movies, series, comics, but I also enjoy documentaries about astronomy and natural history. When I'm not drawing I'm being a huge nerd.
Tell us something random about you?
I tried everything not to work with art. In my head I didn't want to turn something like that into an obligation. I spent over 10 years jumping between colleges. I attended some of the best schools in the country in Law, Biology, International Relations and Engineering, but in the end I gave up running away and now I work with drawing. At least I have a huge general knowledge.
Where can we keep up with your project?
Through my twitter, my blog, but mainly in my discord server (Hellfire Club) which by the time of this article's release will have already been reconfigured. All links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/HereSomeLembas
Where can we buy your NFTs?
Any chance of a competition for the readers?
Okay, I'll prepare a "badge" for those who read the article. Who wants to receive have to share the interview on twitter and tag me.
Prefect bro so before we finish up is there anything you would like to add?
Oh yeah, even though I'm new to all this crypto and NFT stuff, one thing I know is important for any artist: their community. So one piece of advice I have for anyone reading the interview is to always surround yourself with the best creators. Competition is important in any market, but in a community, collaboration has unlimited potential.
So guys please show this artist some love also he will have one of his rare NFTs up auction in are event tonight .
wow first time ever that type of annoucement. I love to win NFT.