Artist in conversation: Maxiverse
The Maxiverse is an extraordinary universe crafted exclusively with female heroes, brought to life by a team of talented creators. With this collection, they pay homage to the strength, resilience, and patience of women. The Maxiverse not only celebrates the art of comic and manga styles but also elevates them as powerful artistic expressions.
Each Maxigirl within the collection is meticulously handcrafted, representing approximately twenty hours of dedicated work. The emphasis lies on creating unique pieces in limited quantities, placing artistic expression at the forefront.
The Maxiverse values its clients immensely, recognizing their role in propelling the project forward. To ensure a sense of exclusivity, exceptional unlockable content is offered with the purchase of digital art, such as prints, making each individual feel truly special.
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What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I started drawing around the age of 10 with manga. I am self-taught and I loved creating my own stories with fantastical characters. Even back then, I preferred drawing women with powers who fought against malevolent forces. It was much later that I discovered comics with the rise of Marvel, and it further fueled my passion for superheroes. I began drawing superheroines, starting with gender-swapped versions of well-known heroes. Then, I had the idea to create my own universe of superheroines, blending the two styles I love: manga and comics.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
Through my art, I love conveying the messages of superheroes: strength, courage, resilience, perseverance, sacrifice, and generosity. These are also aspects that I have developed greatly in my personality since I was little. The turning point truly happened three years ago when I experienced several tragic events in my life that deeply affected me. I began drawing numerous superheroes as role models of courage. If these messages worked for me, my hope now is that they inspire others as well.
Can you discuss a specific piece or project that challenged you as an artist, and how you overcome those challenges?
In the Maxiverse, one of the unique pieces we had to create is the "Denise" triptych, which was a custom NFT commission from a client. We were given the task to design a woman in the world of 1980s car racing, with specific car models to be incorporated into the artwork. To achieve this, we personally visited the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans to capture photos of the track, which we then integrated into the drawing as the backdrop.
To find the cars to be included in the artwork, we spent hours playing a racing video game. We love blending various techniques and forms of art into our drawings to bring innovation to life, including 2D, 3D, and photography. By combining these elements, we strive to create unique and immersive experiences within our art
How do you stay connected with other artists and keep up with new developments and trends in the art world?
I recently discovered the world of artists when I embarked on the Maxiverse project, before that, I didn't have any networks in this domain as I work in a total different world: I'm an engineer working as project manager in IT. I connected with these artists through social media and sometimes became part of collectives where we exchange advice and receive feedback from professional artists. I keep up with art trends, especially in the realm of NFTs, primarily by actively monitoring the internet and social media platforms.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
I seek feedback from my community through social media by conducting surveys, for example. However, my community is currently quite shy, but my desire is to make the Maxiverse project fully collaborative, where we can create superheroines and their stories together.
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
It is true that the profession of artists (especially young artists) is challenging because it is extremely difficult to break through and capture the attention of collectors. We realize that a significant portion of our work involves not just creativity but also management, communication, and marketing. Personally, I am aware of these challenges and I am self-training in all these aspects. I simply believe that being an artist is similar to being an entrepreneur; it is a marathon, and hard work, patience, and consistency always pay off in one way or another.
In your opinion, what role do contemporary artists play in society, and how does your work contribute to this role?
For me, being an artist is primarily about expressing oneself, one's values, and what drives us. There is no obligation in art to convey a strong political or activist message. Sometimes, simply captivating the audience through aesthetics and making them dream is already immensely satisfying. In the case of the Maxiverse, we certainly have a strong message of support for women and women's rights, but what we truly enjoy is tapping into the inner child of those who grew up with this pop culture universe.
What specific aspects of pop culture have influenced your art and how do you incorporate them into your work?
Pop culture is our primary inspiration for the Maxiverse. Each of our heroines is drawn from a specific universe seen in movies, series, anime, or manga that we ourselves watch. It's our way of paying tribute to these iconic pop culture references that made us dream when we were children.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
We are thrilled to exhibit with Holy Art Gallery. We have previously had similar experiences with the NFT Factory in Paris, and we know the benefits, especially in terms of networking, that these types of events can bring. Additionally, these will be our first exhibitions in London and Athens, and we are excited to see how NFTs are received in these cities.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
We have great ambitions for the Maxiverse. Our goal is to truly create a fully-fledged universe, and our roadmap reflects this objective. Apart from creating heroines and their stories, we have already established print editions of our artwork in collaboration with the French startup SolidNFT, as well as an Eshop. Next, we aim to create physical and digital collectible cards to further engage the community with this universe. And who knows, in the long run, we may even turn it into a video game!