Lana’s art consists of traditional and digital art playing with lots of different mediums, The focus of a lot of her pieces is animals, nature, and people and how they interact with each other.
Interview with Artist Lana Starzinska
Can you tell us a story about what brought you to the world of NFTs?
Up until last year I didn’t know what NFTs or even web3 was, I was completely clueless on it. I was in my Leaving Cert year only doing traditional art when my partner who loves everything to do with web3 started to ask if I’d do NFTs, in the art community I had heard weird things about them and didn’t trust it. I started going to web3 events and learning more about the space and started to educate myself on NFTs and now a year later I’m about to mint my first NFT collection.
What or who inspired you to pursue you career as an artist?
Most of my family are good at art, I’ve grown up around it. I remember siting outside painting with my nan when I was younger, and I’ve always felt the career path of an artist was one I could choose if I wanted.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting NFT projects you are working on?
I’m currently minting my first ever NFT collection “Plant People NFTs” on Rand Gallery, this is a very exciting project for me as I’ve always wanted to sell my art and start my career as an artist. My collection focuses on Nature and how people are connected to it, I’ve often thought of this concept as I’ve been making Plant People since I was a child that’s why for my first collection it had to be my Plant People.
Was there a time when you did not believe in yourself? How did this impact your choices?
There has definitely been times where I felt my art wasn’t good enough and I didn’t believe in myself.
After losing someone very close to me I couldn’t draw I felt as though I had a never-ending art block even though I wanted to create it took a lot of time to be able to start making art again but I’m so glad I didn’t give up art means the world to me it’s truly how I express myself and something I needed to move on.
So, how are things going today? What is your recipe for success?
Things are a lot better I’m more confident as an artist then ever before, but to say I have a recipe for success that I’m still learning myself.
It’s definitely been a learning process from what is an NFT, where to mint, and even how to but not being afraid to ask questions is definitely something I’d recommend learn as much as you can from the people who have already done it.
Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you first entered the NFT space? Luckily, I’m still pretty new to the space so haven’t made any major mistakes so far: we shall pray it stays that way.
Which tips would you recommend to NFT artists starting out?
From my experience I feel as though building up a community no matter how big or small and just keeping touch with your followers even something as small as sharing something you’re working on or asking if they think one style is better just keep them in your process, and don’t be afraid to ask questions usually the community is more than happy to help, even if you think your question is stupid ASK!
Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get to where you are? Can you share a story?
I’m truly grateful for my partner who showed me the world of web3 and NFTs, definitely wouldn’t be as close to finally selling my art and getting noticed without her. Took her a year to convince me but I’m glad she didn’t give up on me.
Can you tell our readers what it is about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive?
I like to experiment with my art using mixed media or abstract colours that add an almost playful aspect to my works.
conveying emotions though my art is very important to me I want my views to feel a connection when they see my art.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges faced by artists and the NFT industry today?
The connotations and suspicions surrounding NFTs simply put they have a bad rep especially in the art community that don’t know a lot about them, it’s hard for artists to be taken seriously if there in the NFT industry that’s why having knowledge about the blockchain you choose to mint on and being able to speak confidently about it can be truly useful.
My socials and marketplace links can be found here.
