NFT-ARTIST: NftPortaL

Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the artist Ozlem Okuyan - a Turkish artist with a passion for dark art - better known as "NftPortaL" to talk about her current exhibition at CREO Gallery. In our conversation, we explored 16 different topics, from her artistic development to her passion for NFT art. Throughout our conversation, it became clear that NftPortaL's art not only reflects her own experiences, but is also a commentary on the world around us. Join me as we delve deeper into the mind of this talented artist and explore the inspiration behind her thought-provoking creations.

ARTISTIC CAREER

Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I ended

up moving to art ever since I could remember.

However, I wasn't only focused on being an artist. I

actually focused on moving up the career ladder.

My art adventure started with the drawings I made

in painting classes in primary school. After trying

all kinds of painting techniques, when I realized

that oil paint gives me more pleasure, I started to

progress in this technique. I decided to switch to

digital art when I started learning the photoshop

program at the beginning of last year.

What started as a hooby opened me up to a real

love of Nft Art, something up until that point I

really had no interest in. I’m glad it did, because

every NFT effort I’ve done has always been a real

high point in my personal record of things. Also, I

think the idea of being in a communal learning

environment has really helped in creating, as well

as keeping my head on the ground.

ART STYLE

I was doing oil painting style of portrait and

abstract art before I got into Nft community. I

decided that, if I was going to go into an art

setting, I would attempt to do abstract and dark

art together, as I felt one begets the other. Dark art

was a self-defined pursuit, and I am truly

appreciative for the amazing dark art community

in helping me along the way.

SPECIAL PROJECT

Eyes of Darkness Collection

They are the ones who possess the souls of the

black spot that has lost their light and has fallen

like a veil over the dark souls. They are the third

eye of darkness and the servants.

OVERCOME CHALLENGES

Committing to an idea is difficult and so it’s best to

try and move to finish a few at a time,

understanding that usually you’ll end up fully

finishing only one.

PROCESS OF CREATING

For me, it’s really important to not become

stagnant in art. Because of this, I try and create

something every day. I do maybe two or three

sketches until I get one I really like. I save them all

because it’s important to remind yourself of your

thought process. You can always go back and

sample ideas from one concept into another.

TECHNOLOGY INFLUENCE

There are things that I felt were very limiting about

being in only digital art. There are parts of me that

I thought could be better expressed in a realm

where those limitations are removed. I’ve always

been attracted to AI and so I began looking

towards programs that helped me to create what

it was that I thought to be AI art.

CHALLENGING PROJECT

The Inktober event, which consisted of daily theme

drawings, which I attended for the first time this

year, was a really challenging process for me. I

worked with the theme of halloween, which was

the agenda of that month. Currently on sale in my

OhMyGouth collection.

CULTURAL INFLUENCE

Art; It is the projection of our life. Art has always

carried the beliefs of peoples in its bosom…

I try get out to the exhibitions and theaters now

and again, same for museums. It’s good to get

away from it a bit and reconnect with the world. It

also helps to reconnect to other forms of art. The

ideas you find in the other realms of art really do

aid you when you get back and are ready to create.

FINDING ART COLLECTORS

Just get your artwork out there! There’s really no

secret here. Post as much of your work in as many

places as you can. You’ll eventually get noticed.

The real skill is figuring out how to do this and not

be annoying about it!

BOLD MOVE

Of course, it was my decision to move dark art. I

have very successful friends in the dark art

community. All of them inspired me to walk this

path. First of all, I tried to create my own style.

Then I presented my first collection, Dark Country,

to the community. The feedbacks made me happy

and motivated.

NFT COMMUNITY

Trust the community. The world of NFT has some

of the most amazing members in it. With free

tutorials and low-cost, complete courses, as well as

the wealth of spaces and members willing to give

you a hand figuring out a concept or model, it’s the

only industry where a legendary veteran and a

novice could be on the same forum thread

critiquing the same piece. You have a direct line to

all the artists you find stellar. Never be afraid to ask

for help, or to show off your work. Just make sure

you’re polite about it.

COLLABORATION

I think collaborating in general has an amazing

trusting quality to it. It truly shows you what you

don’t actually know. It also forces you to

understand how to genuinely trust others and how

to communicate ideas in a concise way.

As of now, we are running the Witches Club

Project with my dear friend AvaceRestore. In the

pipeline I am the creator. I give life to the concept.

But the modeler creates life – the ideas from which

it all comes from.

MAINTAIN AUTHENTICITY

As far as artistically, beyond what I’ve already said,

I’ve learned to trust another set of eyes even if

those eyes aren’t nearly as experienced as mine.

I’ve also learned to never underestimate myself or

anyone else, because I’ve seen greatness come out

of my friends. The community had me working

along side my friends, and showed me that you

can always learn another way of doing something.

FUTURE OF NFTS

The artist creates his work not for the financial

benefits, but for the excitement of the society.

That's why art never ends, enjoying art never ends,

so NFT, the digital form of art, never ends.

GOAL

For my NFTs to hopefully be enjoyed and

recognised by others for it's unique content, I want

my art to light a candle in the dark. I think it's

important for me to realise that growth in itself, is

an great artistic goal we don't often recognise, as

we are just wanting to arrive somewhere, but

growth is really my goal and something I

continually strive for. If I am reaching that goal on

a daily basis, I believe that all else will follow.

ADVICE TO NEWCOMERS

Communication really grounds all the ideas you’ve

learned up until that point. I can’t even tell you

how much I’ve actually learned from the

community . It also helps that I’ve connected

multiple levels and ages, which tests your ability to

shrink ideas into bite-size pieces.

"My name is Ozlem Okuyan and I’m the artist behind NftPortaL, an account where you can find my darkarts. I am artist who get lost in shades of dark art, try to capture a certain mood or feeling. I am interested in the story than its characters."

Website: linktr.ee/Nft_PortaL

Twitter: @Nft__PortaL