Cryptic Poet has been in the crypto space since 2017 and is an artist on a mission to “stay based”. Inspired by meme culture and onchain communities, Cryptic Poet thrives on innovation and deep audience engagement. 

The inspiration for Cryptic Poet's "Get Based" artwork stems from their journey in the onchain space and admiration for the Base community's ethos. This artwork captures the essence of being "based" by embodying values like doing the right thing, working hard, staying optimistic, prioritizing the team, and pushing creative boundaries. 

Check out the drop here. 

OpenSea: Could you introduce us to your art style and the main themes you explore in your artwork?

Cryptic Poet: My main art style is meme-inspired animation, blending 2D cartoonish elements with playful twists. I also create digital surrealism mixed with pop culture, focusing on community. Additionally, I love using trending meme templates to create my own versions, which I also mint as NFTs.

OpenSea: Can you walk us through your creative process when developing an NFT collection or piece?

Cryptic Poet: My creative process starts with analyzing onchain trends and brainstorming concepts that resonate with the community. I focus on ideas that align with the "based" ethos and develop these concepts into compelling artworks. I continually observe what the community likes and dislikes, adjusting my future creations based on this feedback.

OpenSea: Can you discuss any unique challenges or opportunities you encounter when creating art, specifically for the digital realm of NFTs?

Cryptic Poet: The onchain space is highly competitive, requiring constant innovation. One of the challenges is reaching a diverse audience from various backgrounds and experiences. Creating pieces that resonate with everyone can be challenging, as it involves finding the right balance to appeal widely without offending anyone. This makes it crucial to be mindful and inclusive in the creative process.

OpenSea: What motivated you to create on Base? How do you think Base's features will benefit your artistic expression?‍

Cryptic Poet: Base's strong community focus and visionary leadership of Jesse Pollak drew me in. Its low fees, fast transactions, and "based" ethos provide an ideal platform for engaging deeply with my audience and experimenting with my art. Additionally, being incubated by Coinbase, one of the largest and most compliant exchanges, gave me confidence in Base's success. Coinbase's track record and the potential for onboarding millions of people onchain during the next bull market made it a no-brainer for me. Base is perfectly positioned to be the first entry point for many newcomers to the onchain world through Coinbase.

OpenSea: How has blockchain technology influenced or changed the way you approach art creation?

Cryptic Poet: Blockchain has transformed my art by enabling direct, transparent interactions with my audience. It lets me create NFTs that offer unique experiences and benefits, fostering a genuine connection between creators and collectors. The decentralized nature eliminates middlemen, while smart contracts open up innovative possibilities like dynamic or interactive art. This technology empowers me to push creative boundaries and build an engaged community around my work.‍

OpenSea: How do you plan to engage with your audience through your NFTs on OpenSea? Are there any interactive elements or community-driven aspects to your work?

Cryptic Poet: I plan to engage my audience by creating NFTs that resonate with specific communities and themes, offering unique experiences tailored to those groups. By granting access to exclusive content, such as whitelisting for future drops and special events, I can identify and reward true fans. This approach aligns with my vision of an interconnected onchain ecosystem, where NFTs serve as a means of personal expression and community engagement, seamlessly integrating our digital and social lives.

OpenSea: What future developments in the NFT space excite you the most, and how do you plan to incorporate these into your future projects?

Cryptic Poet: I'm a big fan of generative art and would love to explore it further. Though I haven't tried it yet, I'm eager to learn and create something on Base. Perhaps I'll create a generative art piece that derives from or is themed around a previous work. This exploration could open up new avenues for creativity and engagement with my audience.

OpenSea: What advice would you give to artists who are new to the NFT space and are considering launching their first digital collection?

Cryptic Poet: I would say, immerse yourself in the community, stay curious, and focus on authenticity. Engage with other artists and collectors, and connect with your audience. There really is no wrong way of doing art. I have a saying that I often use: "If it's art, and it falls apart, it's still art." Meaning, embrace experimentation and don't be afraid to fail; every step is a beautiful experience in the process.

OpenSea: Where do you see the future of digital art and NFTs heading in the next five years? How do you hope to contribute to this future?

Cryptic Poet: I see the future of onchain art and NFTs as deeply connected to meme culture and community representation. Many meme projects on Base are creating NFTs, often as PFPs, that people proudly display as their social profile pics, symbolizing their community membership and support.

In the future, I envision NFTs as a primary means for expressing identities and affiliations. Owning NFTs of communities, memes, or interests will showcase personal beliefs and support, leading to a more interconnected and dynamic onchain ecosystem.

I aim to contribute by creating engaging meme-based NFTs that foster a sense of belonging and identity, helping to build vibrant, interconnected communities thriving on shared values and creativity.