ooakosimo…
NFT Granny: “Dear ooakosimo – thank you so much for your time. You had a Trashart exhibition in Los Angeles. Robness mentioned Trashart already, but could you explain the concept of trash art in your words, please?“
Ooakosimo: For me, trash art is like a vacation from mainstream society’s imposed rules of what is and what isn’t like it isn’t about fighting to get “acceptance” or “legitimacy” for own existence but more on existing, sharing and tending to your own principles, ethics and concepts of what is and what isn’t. Freedom to fearlessly do your own thing like I guess an internal battle of facing your own beliefs and sharing them or putting them out there without harming or causing pain to others which sometimes cannot be avoided when we try to speak out truths but whether you find alliances, new friends, enemies, observers, modifiers or copycats is all good cos I guess it helps one feel truly alive and keeping moving surviving this crazy world we all have to co-exist in.
How did you first become interested in art, and how did you get started with it yourself?
Ooakosimo: My mother was a painter, and recently we found out that my grandma painted as well. So I come from an artistic family. I grew up watching my mum painting. But it took me until my last year in High School to know that art is what I want to do for a living.
Can you tell us more about the story behind your project, “Everybody leaves if they get the chance”?
Almendra Bertoni: I have always made artworks based on my life. They are a kind of therapy or prayers. It’s just a little message I sent out to the world. My art piece “Everybody leaves if they get the chance” is from a personal relationship departure. It wasn’t a romantic one, but a friendship, and it was a situation where there was no real reason for this departure. It was more a chance to flee.
Open on superrare.co
Which of your artworks are you most proud of?
Almendra Bertoni: So I took a lot of pride in my technical aspect and my wood art pieces. But if I had to choose one, one piece was kind of a jump in my starting career. I remember it took me about a month to paint it. I’ve held it for over a year until I’ve sold it recently. I was waiting until I got a nice number for it since it meant so much to me!
Open on almendrabertoni.com
Is there an artist you would like to work with? Like a collaboration?
Almendra Bertoni: Yes, I have so many! Recently I was speaking to Jonathan Wolfe to collaborate with him on an artwork. Then there is another artist that inspires me. His name is Michael Reeder. He represents traditional art, which I consider very exclusive. Finding artists who get into that place without a vast academic background is always inspiring!
We are curious 🙂 Would you be willing to share any plans of upcoming projects?
Almendra Bertoni: That’s a great question! Right now, I’m working on my first ever print release. It will be a limited collection. I think that’s a big move for my career. Since I’ve tried to be as exclusive as possible with my art. With NFT it’s getting to the point where my prices are going up so much. Therefore I can’t make my artwork available to everybody. With this print series, I want people to feel to own my art.
Do you remember the first time you heard about NFT Art?
Almendra Bertoni: Yes, sure! I heard of it in 2019, scrolling on Twitter, and I saw all my peers using it. In particular, a friend of mine suggested that I get on it, so I did it in November 2020. And I think I didn’t understand how important and unique it was until January when I got serious!
Who or what are your biggest influences or sources of inspiration?
Almendra Bertoni: When there is a cloudy day, I just get on Tumblr, and there’s always a bunch of artists that I go back to open my eyes. I love Laura Belli or Chloe Wise, a fantastic oil painter. Sometimes I also just put through a magazine like “New American Paintings”, where some iconic paintings are. So, I think that revisiting other artists and seeing what they’re doing can open your mind!
As you were active in the offline art world, is there a place where you can visiting / marvelling at your artworks?
Almendra Bertoni: Right now, I’m not featuring anywhere. But definitely this year in December I’ll do an exhibition in ART Miami, which I like. Hopefully, this pandemic situation will finally get better.
What does a typical day for you look like, and what do you like to do when you’re not busy with NFT Art?
Almendra Bertoni: So far, I’ve been a full-time artist. Usually, I just wake up when I want, and most times, I am just painting all day, not even getting breakfast. But I typically do whatever I want. Right now, I’m just finishing an artwork and relaxing a bit – what I usually don’t often do. 🙂
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Almendra Bertoni: When I was 17 years old, I met up with a millionaire group of art collectors, and they wanted to see if I was good. So, I brought a huge painting I’d created -I was so proud of it! I painted a “sex face”, making fun of the people that think about sex too much 🙂 It had boobs instead of the eyes and the penis as the nose. But it was a good painting, though!
The collector had an art advisor, who had to make sure that that painting could have value over time, and he gave me the best advice ever! “In order to be an artist, you always have to paint: when it’s raining, when you’re starving, when you wake up… don’t ever stop painting,” he said to me. After that, I’ve never stopped painting!
Is there something aside from art or NFTs you collect?
Almendra Bertoni: I collect physical artworks because making money through physical painting can sometimes be a struggle. I bought, in fact, many portraits of me from a local artist, one of my favourite ones. But I also bought a painting from another artist, Vincent Peak, who inspires me so much. But for sure I want to collect more pieces!
- Full Name: Almendra Bertoni
- Date of Birth: 4th December 1998
- Current hometown: New York
- Languages she speaks: Spanish, English
- What did you want to be when you were a child: Princess
- Education: Currently getting a Bachelor degree in Fine Art
- First Job: At my parents Gelato company for two years
Wald.
Jedes Kind weiß, wie wertvoll der Wald ist. Der frische, atemberaubende Geruch von Bäumen. Echos von Vögeln, die über der dichten Höhe fliegen. Ein stabiles Klima, ein nachhaltiges, vielfältiges Leben und eine Quelle der Kultur. Doch Wälder und andere Ökosysteme hängen in der Schwebe, drohen zu Ackerland, Weideland und Plantagen zu werden.
