We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ayla El-Moussa a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In ‘Nude Abstracts,’ I endeavored to explore both a deeply personal and universally resonant theme. Drawing from a collection of 69 self-portraits, each served as the canvas for my artistic exploration. These portraits underwent a transformative process, first painted over and then abstracted, infusing vibrancy and depth into each digital composition. This transformation was not just about visuals, but a profound commentary on the intertwined nature of personal identity and shared human narratives. By integrating these painted portrayals with blockchain technology, I transformed each static image into a dynamic entity; a click on the abstract unveils the foundational portrait beneath. Thus, ‘Nude Abstracts’ evolved beyond a mere artistic endeavor—it stood as my reinterpretation of human form, harnessing technology to amplify and dissect complex notions.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

From my early days dabbling with a paintbrush in high school to my current intricate digital artworks my creative voyage has been nothing short of transformative. Each piece I craft invites you into a world where dreams intertwine with reality, where the boundaries of space and self melt into a surreal study of what I find intriguing. I was born with an unyielding drive to create. My parents, ever-supportive, instilled in me the value of following my instincts and nurturing my creative impulses. They encouraged me to always chase after what set my soul alight.
In high school, I was drawn to painting, but I often felt a chasm between the visions in my mind and the final artwork. Photography offered a fresh canvas, and by the time I reached university, I dove deep into themes of female empowerment and nature’s vastness—motifs that still resonate in my work today.

Then, in 2015, a pivotal moment: a very vivic lucid dream came to me, I woke with an unwavering conviction that my art would transcend the conventional, finding its rightful place on screens around the world. Tired of limiting my expression to the small squares of Instagram and met with rejections from art agents who couldn’t grasp my vision, I felt a pull towards something bigger.
The universe, it seems, was listening. Words like “blockchain” and “crypto” began to echo in my world. By 2020, I was immersing myself in the technology, and in 2021, I minted my first digital artworks. The rest, as they say, is history. I found not just a platform, but a vast arena in which to carve out my niche. Today, I have etched a name for myself in this burgeoning industry, and I’m thrilled for you to be part of my ongoing journey.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

The art world has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, often acting as the pioneer that paves the way for broader adoption across various sectors. The rise of NFTs and their integration with art isn’t a ‘trend’; it’s a profound paradigm shift that is reshaping the way we perceive and value creativity.

In my eyes, NFTs represent more than just a new medium; they offer another way to bridge stories and connect art with the cutting-edge potential of blockchain technology. This convergence has unveiled a realm where artists, previously marginalized or dismissed by traditional gatekeepers, are now recognized and celebrated for their unique perspectives. The decentralization inherent to blockchain democratizes art appreciation, allowing creators to bypass established intermediaries, reach global audiences, and be fairly compensated for their craft.

It’s worth noting that the NFT revolution is reminiscent of a modern renaissance. Just as the Renaissance period marked a resurgence of art, culture, and intellect at the end of the Middle Ages, today’s digital art renaissance catalyzed by NFTs and blockchain represents a profound intersection of art and technology, spurring new ways of thinking, creating, and sharing.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Throughout my journey, I’ve been anchored in my vision. Despite facing numerous rejections—from tech companies and art agents alike—who failed to grasp or even dismiss my aspirations, I never allowed their skepticism to deter me. Instead, I persisted, constantly seeking knowledge and refining my direction, driven by an innate belief in my path.

I’ve learned that when one’s inner compass points strongly towards a goal, it’s imperative to listen to it that call. Each ‘no’ encountered along the way shouldn’t be a stop sign but rather fuel to your fire. It is through such relentless pursuit that I found my rightful arena.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aylaelmoussa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayla.elmoussa
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aylaelmoussa?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Image Credits
Ayla El-Moussa