Adamtastic's work blends art and empathy, skillfully incorporating color, connection, and narrative into each piece. His lifelong passion for artistic creation has now evolved into an art practice centered around dialogue and emotional exchange.
His latest project (dialogue) invites participants to engage in an impromptu conversation, which will serve as the basis for his real-time creation of new art works.
In this interview, Adamtastic reflects on his journey from traditional painting to Web3 creation, exploring how community spaces like Clubhouse have influenced his creative path and why empathy has always been a guiding principle in his creative process.
He also shared the idea behind his new series, Conversation Starters, which is an expansion of The Conversation and aims to invite more people to experience his work.
Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
OpenSea：
How did you first get involved with art and Web3?
Adamtastic：
I've been involved in art all my life, but I've only been working with Web3 technology for about five years. I first got into it at the end of 2020 when my friend Bryan Brinkman was creating work on a website called Art Blocks. I didn't know anything about it before, but his project looked amazing, so I asked him about it. After he explained it to me, I became completely hooked.
I was immediately drawn to the idea that "digital art can have provenance and have real ownership proof like never before." It was really appealing. I have always created both traditional and digital works, but every time I participate in a gallery exhibition, only physical works are exhibited. Digital works are prohibited, which always makes me feel like I am missing out.
Blockchain changed all that. Suddenly, people had a way to claim ownership and prove their claims. Around the time of the COVID-19 lockdowns, people were looking for ways to connect with each other, and Clubhouse became an important part of that for me. There, I met many artists and felt like I was part of a growing creative community.
Bootsie Collins once said in a Clubhouse room, “The veil has fallen,” meaning that everyone is equal and that the number of fans, fame, and background are irrelevant. This sentence is deeply imprinted in my mind. The feeling is both exciting and open, and when I combined this energy with NFTs, I became completely fascinated.
OpenSea：
Let's talk about your new project. This is the third phase of your project. Could you introduce the first two phases and how this new phase, called "Dialogue Opening," is integrated into it?
Adamtastic：
The first two phases are called “dialogues.” The first phase is by invitation because I want to work with people I trust, people I believe can understand the project’s intent. It’s an hour-long, unscripted online call where I will draw in real time, creating a piece inspired by the dialogue.
The participants watch me paint, without recording the entire process. This helps everyone open up, and everything revolves around the connection between people. Finally, they choose a small piece from the painting, which I print out and send to them as a souvenir. This is not a commercially available souvenir, but a unique and exclusive piece.
The second phase was similar; I partnered with SuperRare to sell it through three public auctions, and I didn't know who would ultimately win, which added an exciting element of uncertainty.
Now, the third phase of our collaboration with OpenSea will further expand our reach. Over the past year, I have created hundreds of studies and paintings in various media, including digital, pastel, watercolor, and acrylic. For this release, I have selected 222 of my favorite pieces.
These works are both thought-provoking explorations and sources of inspiration for the entire project. Not all works need to be minted into tokens, but I hope to give more people the opportunity to participate.
OpenSea：
How many people did you talk to in the first phase?
Adamtastic：
Fifteen sessions, each lasting an hour, so it requires a significant time commitment, but it's absolutely worth it; every conversation is incredibly meaningful.
My favorite painting experience was with a friend. He specially arranged to create a painting on our wedding anniversary. It was the first time I painted for two people at the same time, and the effect was wonderful. Another time was with a parent whose child kept interrupting me. Instead of cutting out these interruptions, I marked each interruption with a specific color. That moment also became part of the artwork and eventually became a souvenir they took home.
OpenSea：
This is very special. From a curatorial point of view, how many pieces did you originally have in your collection?
Adamtastic：
I estimate around four hundred pieces, maybe more. I don't want the series to seem too large; it should still feel welcoming. The early pieces showcase the evolution of the visual language this year, and it's interesting to witness this development.
OpenSea：
What kind of dialogue do you hope these new works will spark with collectors?
Adamtastic：
I hope people can feel genuine emotions from the lines and colors. I hope they can slow down, calm down and appreciate the works, and find their own resonance in them. Abstract art is like a mirror, reflecting the meaning you give it. Everyone's connection with it is different, and that is precisely its uniqueness.
Ultimately, I tried to redefine collecting as an ongoing dialogue between artists and collectors; it's not just about owning artworks, but about sharing a moment in time.
OpenSea：
You mentioned Bryan Brinkman earlier, and you co-hosted a show with him. What's that all about?
Adamtastic：
Yes, Bryan and I will co-host Art 1st as often as possible, usually on Fridays. We're both dads, so we're both very busy, but we'll try to do as much as we can. We just aired our 50th episode in mid-December, and it feels surreal that the show has been going on for two years. It's a business we've poured our hearts and souls into.
Our initial intention in creating this platform was to promote other artists and focus more on the creative process than the technology itself. We all believe that if you want to collect art, you should communicate with artists, see which works they collect, and which artists they support. Only in this way can you find the most sincere recommendations. The mission of Art 1st is to allow artists to communicate with each other and discuss their creative process.
OpenSea：
I also noticed that you are a curator, and I've always been curious about how other people do curating.
Adamtastic：
I've always loved curating. Long before NFTs existed, I started collecting art, including both physical and digital pieces. My walls are covered with works by artists I admire, some from galleries, some from friends, and some from street markets. I collect works that resonate with me.
Curating exhibitions gives me the opportunity to focus on artists who deserve a bigger platform, which is one of the most meaningful parts of being in this circle—helping other artists get seen by more people.
OpenSea：
Your work exudes optimism and a close connection between people. Is there a decisive moment or influencing factor that shaped your unique use of color and narrative style?
Adamtastic：
That's a good question. I'm not sure which specific moment it was. Interestingly, I usually wear dark and neutral colors, but my artwork is brightly colored. I didn't notice this contrast until I started organizing my portfolio and looking at all the works together.
I have always tried to treat people with a positive attitude. This is a value that my parents taught me. There is always a friendlier way to handle things, and this attitude has naturally influenced my artistic creation. I hope that people can feel joy or hope when they appreciate my work.
Before the Web3 era, I made some plush toys with quirky names and stories. When I turned to digital art, I continued to create these characters. They are like beams of light, and even though the stories are somewhat convoluted and bizarre, they are still rooted in empathy. People are multifaceted, and I like to reflect that in my work.
OpenSea：
You mentioned that empathy is a driving force. Where do you think this empathy comes from?
Adamtastic：
I have thought about this issue seriously. When I was a child, I was often bullied, but I had a few friends who stood up for me when it was completely unnecessary. This had a profound impact on me and taught me to do my best to help others.
Therefore, although empathy may not determine the content of my creations, it does guide the intention behind my work. This desire to connect with and care for others is the cornerstone of my work.
OpenSea：
Your works have been exhibited all over the world, from New York to Hong Kong. Has your travel affected your artistic creation?
Adamtastic：
The travel itself isn't that important; what truly has the biggest impact are people and cultures, and this impact can happen anywhere, not just abroad. Since joining this community, I've met people from all over the world, and these exchanges have shaped the way I see things.
My professional background is in animation. The rule in the animation industry is: if you can tell a story in a non-verbal way, you've succeeded. I hold the same philosophy for my own artistic creation. No matter who you are or where you come from, you should be able to resonate with my work. That's why I usually omit words to maintain the universality and openness of my work, allowing readers to interpret it freely.
OpenSea：
I like this, and it applies to the digital art world as well, where you can connect with anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Adamtastic：
Indeed, even traditional artists can benefit from it. Every time someone takes a picture of a painting and uploads it online, it reaches far more people than it would in a gallery. Embracing digital art is only natural.
OpenSea：
The third phase of the project is coming to an end. What are your next plans?
Adamtastic：
The conversation continues, and I think this is just the beginning of a bigger plan. I hope to bring it to the site and paint in real time with the audience. Some people have described these works as “spiritual portraits,” and I like that description.
I also plan to continue creating physical works. So far, most of them are small-scale studies, but I am ready to try larger-scale works. I would love to see some of these works printed on a large scale, or even made into murals. I want to keep exploring and expanding my creative field.
OpenSea：
I think everyone will enjoy watching this live stream. Thank you for participating in this conversation and sharing details about how it began!
Adamtastic：
Thank you, thank you so much for taking the time.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or trading advice. Mentions of specific projects, products, services, or tokens do not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by OpenSea. OpenSea does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers should verify any statements in this document before taking any action and are responsible for conducting due diligence before making any decisions.
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