For third-generation artist Zhuk, creativity has always been woven into daily life. Raised in a family rooted in classical painting, she developed an early sense of devotion to craft and a deep respect for beauty. That foundation continues to guide a practice that moves naturally between oil on canvas and digital experimentation, where each medium expands the other rather than standing apart.

Her new drop, Renaissance 4.0, reflects on strength, renewal, and the personal and collective shifts that define both her own growth and the evolving web3 community. Through symbolic imagery, intentional color, and a rare look into her full creative process, she invites collectors to experience the story behind the final work. The project serves as both a conclusion to a significant chapter and a beginning to what comes next, grounded in her belief that true beauty lives in honesty, presence, and emotional resonance.

OpenSea: You grew up in a family of artists. How did that early environment shape your understanding of creativity and the role of art in your life?

Zhuk: Yes, I am a third-generation artist, continuing this family lineage. The mastery of classical painting that existed in my family at a very high level set a high standard for me from childhood and continues to inspire me to this day.

I grew up surrounded by art, by the paintings of my family and of other artists. They were everywhere, and art books were my main form of entertainment. Instead of fairy tales, I would take a Bistrup book from the shelf and study his drawings with fascination, as well as the works of other great historical painters. For me as a child, this felt completely natural, even though in most families art was considered a luxury — something people thought about last, and something not everyone could afford. I didn’t grow up in a financially wealthy family, but I lived in a kind of artistic bohemia that endlessly enriched my inner world. I became deeply immersed in art and its history. I believe this is what gave me my love for art and my honesty toward it. Qualities that remain the most genuine and important to me in the creative process.

OpenSea: Your work blends classical figurative painting with digital techniques. What inspired you to explore the intersection between traditional and digital art, and how do you preserve the essence of your brushwork in this new medium?

Zhuk: That’s an interesting question because for me, there is not a strict divide between the two. One flows into the other in all my work. 

Of course, first of all I’m a traditional artist, and I love working with such materials as oil and canvas — they feel very alive. The digital format is a way to expand my art into different mediums and forms and also it gives the opportunity to go beyond the canvas giving them motion, transformation, and a sense of breathing. So for me it’s not a separate artistic direction. For an artist, mastering different tools opens new horizons for creation. And since we all live in the physical and digital worlds today, being present in both feels essential and natural.

OpenSea: You’ve described Renaissance 4.0 as an “ode to admiration and strength.” What first sparked the idea for this drop, and how did it evolve during the year-long creative process?

Zhuk: This artwork not only reflects the strength of the new era of the crypto community and web3, but also mirrors my own personal experiences over the past years. Like any artist, I move through different creative stages. Moments shaped both by the difficult path of growth and by the strengthening of confidence, direction, and the energy needed to move forward.

It was important for me to carry these personal experiences into this artwork, allowing it to become a clear symbol of our time — for the audience, and for myself as well.

OpenSea: The Bull is a powerful symbol in this work, representing strength and renewal. What drew you to that imagery, and how does it connect to your own artistic or personal journey?

Zhuk: The Bull in this work symbolizes strength, renewal, and the cycles we all experience in life. While it can be seen as a nod to the current “Bull Market” for me, it goes much deeper. In truth, we are all a little like the Bull. Life itself is never constant. We all face ups and downs, whether creative, financial, or personal. It is through confronting these challenges that we grow stronger and more vibrant. This artwork reflects that path of struggle, triumph, and the ongoing pursuit of achievement.

OpenSea: You’ve said the red and white draperies represent opposing yet complementary forces, struggle and triumph. Can you talk about how color and symbolism work together in your visual storytelling?

Zhuk: Color and symbolism are deeply intertwined in my visual storytelling. The red draperies are not just a visual accent; they carry the weight of struggle, passion, and the complex journey that power demands. Red evokes intensity, energy, and the trials inherent in growth. In contrast, the white draperies introduce lightness and serenity, symbolizing triumph, liberation, and the potential for new achievements. Together, these colors create a dialogue on the canvas, a balance between challenge and victory, tension and release. The interplay of red and white amplifies the narrative, guiding the viewer’s eye and emotion, making the story both visually dynamic and conceptually layered.

OpenSea: One of the unique aspects of this drop is how it traces every stage of your process, from early sketches to the final painting. Why was it important to you to reveal those intimate, behind-the-scenes moments?

Zhuk: Revealing the behind the scenes moments of Renaissance 4.0 was essential because the journey of creation is just as important as the finished work. Every sketch, study, and layer of paint carries a piece of my vision, my exploration, and my dedication. By sharing these intimate stages, I invite the viewer into the world of the creative process to experience the challenges, discoveries, and moments of inspiration that shape the final piece. It’s deeply personal, yet I want it to be open and honest, showing that the beauty of art is not only in the result but in every step of its making.

OpenSea: Collectors will have the chance to own not just a digital edition but also physical elements from your studio. How do you see the relationship between physical and digital art evolving through projects like this?

Zhuk: I see physical and digital art as two complementary ways to experience and connect with a work. The digital edition allows for accessibility and broad sharing, while the physical elements carry the tangible energy, texture, and history of creation. Projects like this bridge the two worlds, letting collectors not only engage with the artwork conceptually, but also feel its presence and the intimacy of the studio process. Together, they create a richer, more immersive experience of art.

OpenSea: You’ve called Renaissance 4.0 a way to “close the year”. What does this project represent for you personally, and what new directions do you see yourself exploring next?

Zhuk: Renaissance 4.0 marks a significant milestone, a reflection on a period of exploration and creation process. It embodies both closure and renewal, capturing the ideas, energy, and discoveries developed throughout this work. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue pushing the boundaries of form, material, and narrative — blending traditional techniques with new mediums and concepts.

OpenSea: Lastly, what does beauty in art mean to you? 

Zhuk: For me, beauty is not just outer harmony — it’s a state of truth.

When there is breath in art. When a work speaks for itself, and the artist doesn’t need to create stories or words around the artwork to justify its existence.

When it can awaken, touch, and make you feel.

Sometimes beauty can be unsettling, imperfect, even painful. 

But if there is honesty in it — it’s alive.

I don’t look for perfection — I look for presence.

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