Exploring the World of Minimalism and Emotions with FaithLove

Our introduction to FaithLove occurred amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Art Basel in Miami, a serendipitous encounter that unveiled the captivating world of her artistic creations, in the middle of the party organized by Sunrise Art Club. Contrary to prevalent trends in crypto art, FaithLove has adhered to a minimalist ethos over the past few years.

Stripping away excess detail and focusing on essential elements, the minimalist drawings of FaithLove made us feel they distill emotions to their purest forms, inviting viewers to engage in a contemplative dialogue with the essence of the depicted feelings. Through the intentional deployment of sparse lines, shapes, and negative space, FaithLove masterfully wields the potency of restraint, allowing emotions to articulate themselves through the elegance of simplicity rather than abundance. We felt like this intentional reduction not only fosters a sense of visual clarity but also encouraged us to have a profound connection with her emotional intent, facilitating an intimate artistic experience.

In her own words, FaithLove reflects on her artistic journey:

"I've been immersed in the world of drawing for approximately seven years now. Over the past four years, I've found that the most authentic way for me to articulate myself and my emotions is through a concise and straightforward approach, steering clear of lengthy explanations.”

Her artistic repertoire seamlessly intertwines the purity of form with the intricacies of human emotion, resulting in poignant pieces that serve as intimate explorations of the human psyche. Her subjects, often portrayed as enigmatic or faceless human figures, come to life through meticulous line work against neutral backdrops, a testament to her profound grasp of the significance of simplicity in conveying profound depth.

Moreover, during the Art Basel night in Miami, we also uncovered FaithLove's role as a curator and her involvement with Metamask in managing creator relationships.

Against this backdrop, we engaged in a conversation with FaithLove, delving into her artistic approach, perspectives on curatorship, and how these facets harmonize with her contributions to Metamask.

New Society: Can you tell us more about what led you to your current minimalist approach?

FaithLove: Before the pandemic, my artistic endeavors were characterized by a more vibrant use of color. The pieces I created during that period markedly differ from my current artistic trajectory. However, the pandemic inflicted a profound toll on my mental and emotional well-being, leading me through a challenging phase of life. Faced with the overwhelming weight of those emotions, I turned to drawing as a therapeutic outlet, a means of externalizing my feelings rather than succumbing to their full emotional burden.

Every intense emotion that made me reluctant to step outside found its expression through my drawings. I devised a method that allowed anyone to perceive and interpret these emotions in their own unique way. My intention was never to encapsulate emotions in a rigid representation; instead, I aimed for viewers to engage with my work and form their own interpretations based on how they personally felt.

Despite attempts to introduce more intricacies into my work, I found that adding additional details disrupted the seamless flow. So I opted to adhere to a minimalist approach in capturing and conveying my emotions through drawing.

New Society: You mentioned allowing your audience to form their own interpretations of your work. Have you ever inquired about their interpretations out of curiosity?

Faithlove: Indeed, I frequently engage in discussions with both my peers and collectors regarding my artistic creations. During these conversations, I purposefully maintain an open-ended approach, allowing individuals to interpret my work as they see fit. I don't feel a pressing need to understand the specific emotions my work elicits in people, but I welcome and appreciate it if they choose to share their interpretations with me.

On certain occasions, individuals convey their sentiments through extensive messages, providing detailed accounts of how my pieces resonate with them emotionally. Conversely, there are instances where people opt for succinct one-word responses to the subjects of my drawings. This ongoing exchange of perspectives occurs consistently; whenever I produce a new piece, it sparks a dialogue.

New Society: You mentioned you began drawing seven years ago, a period predating the widespread emergence of NFT art. Could you elaborate on how you transitioned into creating art in the NFT format, and what motivated you to explore this avenue?

Faithlove: I initiated my journey into the world of NFT art by minting my first piece in 2020, marking a three-year adventure that has been both thrilling and transformative. The majority of my cherished artworks find a home on SuperRare, a platform that not only symbolizes the inception of my NFT journey but also my introduction to the Web3 space.

Before embracing Web3, my artistic endeavors followed a more conventional path. I engaged in the sale of prints, took on commissions, and participated in pop-up shows at various events. In the beginning, I harbored no inclination to delve into the Web3 realm, mainly due to a lack of understanding.

However, SuperRare approached me, expressing admiration for my work and a desire to feature it on their platform. Initially skeptical and uninformed about the intricacies of NFTs, I dismissed their offer. But they returned to me and I found myself way more receptive, influenced by the participation of a peer I greatly admired — Fewocious — who was actively minting on SuperRare. Witnessing a familiar artist navigate the space boosted my trust and inclination to become a part of it.

So I took the plunge, minting my work on SuperRare, and to my delight, it garnered immediate success by swiftly finding a buyer — that was a really cool experience.

New Society: Has there been a particular artwork you've crafted that wielded a notable influence on your artistic journey? If so, could you elaborate on the expression it conveyed?

FaithLove: I feel all my work is extremely special for my journey, because it's a reflection of everything that I've ever felt in my life. It's all of my trauma wrapped up into a cute little present with a bow on top. So every piece is special. And no piece is more special than the last piece.

But if I pick a piece that stands out amongst the rest of them is my piece called “Connected”. The artwork is a number of figures, but they're different colors, and they're embracing with each other, but in a glowing way. It's a really different one for me, and it took me a really long time to draw the concept out and figure out something that actually worked.

New Society: This piece is beautiful. We could feel the emotions in it when looking at it, while elements looked minimalist. Do you collaborate with other artists as well, apart from creating your own work?

Faithlove: I've collaborated with other artists in the past when my artistic style was different. But in the current style, I haven't yet created collab artworks.

However, there are a few artists that I do want to collaborate with, and hopefully I could do that in 2024.

New Society: Would you mind sharing their names?

Faithlove: There's one artist called Pia Pia. She stands as one of my preferred artists, and I find a certain kinship in the conceptual approach of her artworks to mine. Her creations are characterized by conceptual depth, intricate detailing, and complex figures.

My inclination toward collaboration arises only when I sense a resonance with another artist's style. It's not merely about a shared interest in drawing; there must be a genuine connection. These two artists epitomize that connection for me. Their creative processes and the output they generate resonate with me on a deeper level.

I've talked to them about collaborations already, and we're just waiting for the right moment.

New Society: As an artist, what do you think is the most challenging and rewarding thing about what you do?

Faithlove: As an artist, the most challenging task for me revolves around translating my innermost feelings into tangible expressions on paper or screen, which inevitably exposes me to a sense of vulnerability. There's a unique challenge in laying bare my emotions for others to interpret.

Putting my pieces out into the public domain often leaves me feeling susceptible to judgment. While I'm generally open to diverse perspectives and welcome people to see my art through their own lenses, there are instances where the feedback can be quite harsh. So, the struggle lies in the act of unveiling my work to the public eye.

Yet, amidst this challenge, the most gratifying aspect is delving into people's thoughts and reactions. The feedback, the love, and the emotional connections my artwork sparks usually leave me with a profound sense of satisfaction.

Hearing about the impact my creations have on others is undeniably rewarding.

New Society: It's like writing and you have articles pieces that you need to put out in the public and let people judge. We can relate. Does the artistic part also resonate to what you do at Consensys?

Faithlove: I've been part of the ConsenSys Metamask division since 2021, where my primary focus lies in working closely with creators and artists. Ensuring the satisfaction of artists with the product and fostering collaborative relationships are at the core of my responsibilities. Artists play a pivotal role in Metamask's workflow, constituting a fundamental user sector.

In my role as a creator relations manager, I draw from my own experiences as an artist and creator. I see myself as an artist in residency within the Metamask/ConsenSys space. While I'm officially an employee, what matters most to them is my identity as an artist, and they treat me accordingly. The value they place on my insights and advice stems from my role as the bridge between the community and the entire company — a vital aspect of my work at ConsenSys.

Metamask, unlike a conventional art platform, doesn't facilitate art sales. However, creators heavily utilize the wallet for minting, selling, collecting, and various other activities. As the first step into Web3 for many, Metamask holds immense significance. My job revolves around ensuring the contentment of artists within this crucial ecosystem.

New Society: Is there a connection between your role at Metamask and your involvement in curating exhibitions?

Faithlove: I'm not all official curator vibes, but I'm pretty serious about it. I dig into the works I come across, check out the creators, and curate with a purpose. I'm intentional about how I showcase artworks and artists.

New Society: When you're not creating artworks, what fascinates you? What are you passionate about?

FaithLove: Well I sew, I've recently started to sew my artwork onto clothes and jackets.

I love to play cello.

I play games, a lot of games.

I like to write. Before I was an artist, I was a poet. I wrote a book.

New Society: That's cool! Could you tell us more about the book?

Faithlove: The book is titled "POËZIE," which translates to "Poetry" in Dutch. Just like how I capture my emotions through drawing, this book offers a glimpse into some profoundly challenging years of my life.

I penned the book approximately seven years ago, and each poem within it serves as a reflective piece on those years. It was a peculiar time for me, navigating the post-high school phase where challenges escalated, especially in the realm of college experiences.

Love, too, proved to be a bit of a puzzle. I found myself oscillating in and out of a tumultuous relationship.

Amidst this period, I was on a journey of self-discovery and discovered a knack for writing. It became a pursuit I took quite seriously.

I also maintained a secret blog, pouring my thoughts into it. I don't delve into it much these days; it feels a bit sacred. Back then, it was a labor of love.

New Society: What do you talk about in the blog?

Faithlove: So I adopted the moniker "Resilient Black Girl," and that's pretty much all that I share these days.

I chose to write under this persona because resilience has been a constant theme throughout my life — a word that resonates deeply with me, propelling me forward and keeping the oil pumping in my body. Much of my writing centers on the concept of resilience and what it means to navigate extreme adversity.

I delve into subjects that often make others uneasy — the real-world problems, the emotions most people grapple with but seldom discuss openly. I choose to do this anonymously.

The anonymity, I believe, fosters a sense of comfort and security for readers. For instance, I tackled the topic of depression, sharing my personal experience and what it feels like for me. It's a genuine exploration of my own journey, hoping that others can relate to and find solace in shared experiences. Depression is just one among the many facets I explore in my writing.

I also used to love reading and I don't read as much anymore because I don't feel like I have time to read, but it's something that I definitely want to pick up again next year. And I also want to get back to writing.

So my poetry definitely comes before my art, and my art is a reflection of my poetry.

New Society: And what vexes you?

Faithlove: I'll be honest. I don't like artwork that resembles the real world. I don't like realism. It bores me a bit. It's a little too impressionable, and it's way too easy to have.

I don't like too many colors. Colors stress me a bit. I like when things are clean and almost perfect. I'm a perfectionist, so I don't like it when things aren't perfect.

I don't like heat, summer is probably my least favorite season.

I don't like taxes.

New Society: You talked about you don't like it realism - what do you think about photography?

FaithLove: I have a profound appreciation for photography, considering it as a means of individuals capturing moments through both their camera lens and their discerning eyes. There are instances where photographers capture scenes that I might not perceive with my own eyes, making me value their ability to convey unique perspectives.

On the flip side, I'm not particularly drawn to the practice of reproducing photographs through drawing; it seems akin to utilizing a printer and lacks the genuine essence of the original capture.

However, I hold a special regard for photographers, feeling that their craft is often undervalued. It's a medium that deserves more recognition, and I genuinely hope that its significance grows in the years to come.