Meet Bill Knight — An NFT Success Story
Exploring an example of an artist who found hope in NFTs.
“ Print Class” on OBJKT.COM
If you follow the superficial layers of media coverage, you will likely hear about people making (and losing) millions of dollars. You may hear about the latest scam (aka rug-pull) or, on a good day, likely nothing at all. Coverage of the many relevant developments in blockchain tech communities is indeed a rarity. Fortunately, I have the privilege to share a story that showcases both the honest ups and downs of navigating life’s hardships as an artist, and how the Tezos Blockchain and NFTs can make a difference for those open-minded enough to give it a try. If you or someone you know is feeling lost in their artistry, hopefully the story of Bill Knight will bring you some light.
It’s a common story for artists; struggling with social expectations, often fighting addictions and mental disorders. In a world mostly focused on consumerism and profit, holding an art-centric lifestyle can come with a long list of side effects. For many decades, the opportunity for art as a profession has continued to drop exponentially. Becoming more and more centralized, less than 1% of artists have the chance to “make it” or simply live a sustainable life. The time for an art revolution is long overdue. The people need a new renaissance.
Fortunately, there is hope for the art world. Hiding behind the mainstream coverage, you can find living examples of this renaissance energy blossoming today. There are stories of desperate artists full of passion and talent, finally finding an outlet to shine. You just may have to look online, and dare I say, on X (Twitter). For some reason, it seems that accounts with .tez in their handle or Tezos in their profile have the most frequent feel-good stories.
Let’s Get To the Good Stuff! Tell Us That Feel-Good Story Already!
There once was a painter with nothing to paint about. In fact, he hadn’t even realized that painting was his passion. For many years, he just worked job after job. Everything from maintenance work to sales. Any trade or work that could help pay the bills. The typical burnout from the hustle followed. Life had been delivering him lemons. With so much sourness, he turned to alcohol. The dreams of what could be, lost to the bottle from which he’d drink. Relationships dwindled, and hope along with it. But there was still a passionate soul trapped behind these hardships. One filled with talent and willingness to explore every possibility. All he needed was a little push.
One day Bill woke up and decided it wasn’t too late to seek a better life. He was tired of being homeless and living for alcohol. So, he sought out a sponsor and began the journey towards being sober. Through the rehab program, he found an organization called Path With Art, where he took painting classes and quickly discovered his calling. Finally, as his mind cleared and body healed, the creativity began to flow.
Several months later, these programs and his sponsor eventually led him to a group called Ventures, which focuses on helping small businesses via grants and mentorship. It was at a Ventures event where he met an active Tezos artist, FendelMarc. They quickly bonded over their interest in the arts. Fendel is an avid Tezos supporter, musician, and lifelong art lover. Soon after hearing so many amazing art-centric stories about the Tezos community from Fendel, Bill was inspired to explore the possibilities of digital art and blockchain. On September 14, 2021, Bill minted his genesis NFT on Hicetnunc (now TEIA), “Eggs and Toast.” It was extremely well received by the Tezos Community, and this acknowledgment sparked new life in Bill’s hopes for the future.
Eggs & Toast by Bill Knight The Evolution of Bill Knight’s Physical Artwork as a New Digital Artist
Once Bill realized there was an entire world of people out there who appreciated his art, he began exploring and expanding upon his artistry. He had no predetermined agreements about the art world; after all, he painted purely as a form of therapy and a distraction from the cravings. So when Fendel told him about TezTones and explained all the nuances of Collaboration 2.0 (a reference to a past Medium article), he joined up with Team Big Foot for his first big collaborative project. The camaraderie strengthened with his new online art friends. You can see and feel the passion within Team Big Foot’s creation for Match 3, “Bed of Crimson Joy.”
TezTones Season 1 Match 3 on OBJKT.COM A Physical Painter, an NFT-Centric Musician, and an AI Wizard Walk into a Room
The evolution of Bill Knight’s digital art didn’t stop at TezTones collaborations. His revived, inspired, and sober spirit longed for more exploration. One day he was scrolling through Twitter and came across a post about “Von Doyl” and was instantly moved by the artist. He collected a Von Doyl piece and then realized, to his surprise, that Von was utilizing AI in his work. Seeing a prominent name going as high as a feature on the cover of Vogue really got Bill curious about the AI aspect. So he reached out to his blockchain bestie, Fendel, as well as an AI artist within TezTones, WWWoronin, and they proceeded to collaborate on what became “Weigh Anchors Brought To Life”. A masterful example of audio/visual collaboration that utilizes the oldest and newest forms of creation.
Clip from audio/visual collaboration “Weigh Anchors Brought To Life”
Most recently, Bill Knight was featured on multiple screens at TezCon Seattle, where many TezTones Artletes (competitors on TezTones Teams) and people from the Tezos Community met in person to celebrate the arts. As he got the chance to talk about his art and story with the crowd, you could see the pride on his face, as well as his sponsor who also attended. Lasting memories were made, and we can be certain to see amazing art continuing to come from this artist.
Bill Knight (Left) and FendelMarc (Right) @ TezCon Seattle
“Bringing color to the world is my joy.” — Bill Knight
Be Sure To Follow The Continuation Of This Artists Story
Bill Knight’s journey from homelessness and addiction to becoming a celebrated digital artist is a testament to the transformative power of art and technology. His story serves as an inspiration to artists everywhere who may feel disheartened by the challenges they face. Through resilience, community support, and the innovative possibilities offered by the Tezos blockchain and Tezos community, Bill has found a new path filled with creativity and hope. As we witness his continued growth and contributions to the art world, it’s clear that the renaissance of digital art is not just a distant dream but a vibrant reality unfolding before our eyes. Bill Knight’s success is a beacon of light for all aspiring artists, proving that it’s never too late to start anew and that the future of art is indeed bright.
Bill Knight — An NFT Success Story: was originally published in Tezos Commons on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
