Here at ALLSHIPS, it is our mission to be a resource for the creative community. We have spoken with so many artists, but artists are just one side of this multifaceted landscape. Today I'm thrilled to launch our new editorial series, Collector Conversations.

We are beginning with @OSFCollections, make sure to add him on Twitter and Showtime so you can see the full collection.

I'm very excited for this conversation. I've spent so much time getting to know the artists perspective in this world, and haven't yet spoken with someone who is collecting some of the best work. You're the first for ALLSHIPS, and I'm appreciative of you taking the time to speak with me today.

It's a pleasure!

I'd like to begin with a broad question and narrow it down a bit from there, so take this is any direction it moves you in.

Why do you collect NFTs?

Two reasons;

i) I have been looking for alternative investments; I view NFTs (specifically crypto art) as an early-stage investment and believe it will compete with the the traditional art world.

ii) I have always had a genuine appreciation for art; I spent a lot of time as a kid sketching, and even made digital art in my teens just for fun. It's amazing to be able to collect pieces I genuinely love.

Below: 'Congratulations, You Have Survived!' by Coldie

In response to i) That's one thing that strikes me about a common criticism of the space, when the traditional art world sometimes scoffs and says "you aren't actually buying anything" or "there's no actual value if its not a physical piece." Part of me thinks the art world would be the first to understand these mechanics of value, since they are similar.

What do you think drives the resistance to this newer market? Is it a genuine lack of understanding or an intentional slighting from fear of change?

I think it's a combination of both. People still can't get their head around the fact that it's just a JPEG or a GIF and haven't fully come to terms with the new medium. A common pushback I get (from anyone really I try to explain this to) is that "anyone can just view the art online, right-click save yada yada".

It's important to understand that there is only one owner of a piece. You can have multiple replicas or prints of the Mona Lisa but there is only one owner of it. It's exactly the same thing but in digital format, a format that is only going to grow in popularity.

Secondly, I think the traditional art world is scared, and probably bitter. There are probably "traditional" artists who've been working really hard their whole lives for small reward who are in shock at the prices at which some crypto art go for, and may feel it's unfair. That's totally understandable, but at the end of the day it is a free market and people pay for what sells, and this new format is what is selling right now.

Art is a luxury good IRL, crypto art is a luxury good in the metaverse. I think it just goes to show the extent now to which people are crypto-rich and are willing to spend on luxury NFTs. That is something I think traditionalists are bitter about.

Below: 'What have they done to me?' by frenetikvoid, next, 'The Illusion of Freedom' by mathiole

Well said. I use that same Mona Lisa example- and I always pose this question to the skeptics. Does a widely distributed reproduction of the Mona Lisa make the original more valuable or less valuable?

The answer is obvious enough to at least help explain the value here. Value is in consensus. Reproductions unite us around a common visual and make the original more valuable.

I agree - I suppose reproductions also serve as a form of marketing and advertisement too.

One thing I love about what is happening in this space is that "patronage" has been introduced to digital spaces. Artists in digital spaces like myself, and many others, are used to our only income coming from commercial relationships.

We have to compromise, we have to sell a product, we are subject to the whims of executives at ad agencies. Enter the Collector- with support from patrons of the arts, an artists can follow their own threads, and build connections on a human level with people who appreciate their art.

Have you seen that impact first hand in these online communities, and specifically with artists you have supported through collecting their work?

100%. I have gotten so much more out of this than I ever expected. It was less than two months ago when I bought my first piece (A Cozy Morning by @dangiuz)... I thought I would just own it and that would be it. In that short timeframe I've gotten to know collectors and artists alike. I try to develop a relationship with the artists I collect and do see myself as starting to develop genuine friendships (I hope y'all artists feel the same way lol).

I do strongly believe that buying art isn't the only way of supporting artists and I like to take an active approach in promoting the artists I collect and often explain the reasons behind my purchases. Sometimes the artists ask me for advice, and sometimes I of them. It's a 2-way street and the best thing about this is when you invest in an artist you are instantly teammates; you both benefit from each other's success.

The genuine friendship thing is definitely felt on both sides. There is a kind of symbiosis happening, perhaps it happens in the IRL world of art too, but here we get to see it unfold on the timeline. It's cool to witness.

That's the thing - the digital format and social media actually allows everyone to experience what's going on. It's fully transparent.

How fitting for a blockchain world.

Indeed!

An open ledger of relationships.

Exactly.

Who are some of the artists that you've collected since you started, and what was it about those particular people / pieces that attracted your eye?

So, it's no secret that I love the cyberpunk genre. My favourite books include 1984 and A Brave New World...my favourite films include Total Recall and Escape from New York. So art of that theme is of great attraction to me.

@dangiuz just absolutely nails that theme for me. He has created a world that you just want to step into and be part of...it's so easy to get lost in his pieces. I have collected two of his pieces, "A Cozy Morning" and "Peaceground". Not gonna lie...I also find the female character in the former very attractive haha!

Lets wrap up this first chat with a question I pose to artists, but I'll flip it for a collector. What advice might you have you artists entering this space? Are there common mistakes to avoid, things you would encourage? How should artists think about building their reputation in this new arena?

My biggest piece of advice is to find alternative ways to stand out. There is a LOT of talent out there and it's very competitive. I see stunning pieces every day and I can't buy them all. This is a cliché thing to say and I'm sure it goes for the traditional art world as well but buying someone's art is as much about the artist as it is their artwork. I like to think that I have invested in people who have made positive contributions to the community, and that's one way I think you can start to establish yourself. There's a high correlation between community contribution and successful artists. "How do I contribute to the community?" I hear you ask! Be inventive. Want an example? Allships - case and point. I think you've built something absolutely fantastic Dave and it's all birthed from your entrepreneurship. This is exactly how other artists need to be thinking if they really want to make it big.

With regard to common mistakes...a couple of pet peeves I have are shilling on Twitter threads that take the conversation off-topic and copying other artist styles or imitations of successful NFT projects. I actually don't mind DMs and look through all of them even if I don't always respond.

My last piece of advice is to keep grinding it out. I genuinely believe this is the start of something amazing and I've put my time and money on the line for that. It means there's a huge opportunity for artists that's going to hugely grow over the next few months and years and if you work hard and think smart there's no reason why you can't benefit from it!

Wow. Thank you so much for the compliment, and for sharing this wisdom with our readers! Truly some gems there, and if people take that advice to heart, I imagine it will take them very far.

Anytime! and yes I genuinely hope so.

I want to thank you for taking the time to share your perspective with us today. This ecosystem equally depends on artists and collectors, working together as a community, so to have this window into your particular world is something of tremendous value. Thank you. What's the best way for people to connect with you online?

It's been an absolute pleasure chatting and thank you for everything you do for the community! I would say Twitter - @OSFCollections