Save in Bitcoin and focus on your craft.
As an artist, your main desire is to create. I believe we are all born creators, but some of us have a deeper passion for it than others. Those who dedicate themselves to their art and receive recognition for it are often called artists. But letâs set aside the debate about what defines an artist and focus on what truly matters our craft.
This is what we love to do. We dream about it, wake up for it, and live for it. Itâs more than just workâitâs a passion that comes from within. You could even go as far as to call it your purpose in life.
Often, youâd still create even without money because your art is beyond numbers. But we live in a world where kisses wonât pay for groceriesâat least, I canât pay that way! So, money matters, not as the goal, but as a tool to keep doing what you love: creating.
Artists have often been seen as struggling creatives, barely making ends meet. When I started art school, I saw so many parents telling their kids to choose a ârealâ career doctor, lawyer, something secure. A âreal job,â right? đ
Luckily, my parents never told me that. My mom always said, follow your heart. (Thanks, Mom and Dad! đ)
After art school, I spent four years studying graphic and media design, followed by another four years in animation and film. But when it came time to find work as a 2D animator, I struggled. To be honest, I wasnât good enoughâor at least, thatâs how it felt. Plus, the industry had already shifted heavily toward 3D animation.
But I wasnât discouraged. I loved everything related to art and design. And growing up in a small city like Sneek, Friesland (The Netherlands), I had always dreamed of seeing more of the world.
Travel & Filming
Iâve always been fascinated by people, their stories, and how different cultures live. That curiosity led me to documentary filmmaking, and along the way, I started building my own stock footage database (you can find it all on Shutterstock).
Making a living as an independent documentary filmmaker isnât easy, so I often filmed for volunteer organizations. This gave me the opportunity to experience different cultures while also shooting stock footage. I did this for about 10 years, traveling across the globeâand Iâve been fortunate enough to visit 88 countries so far.
Technology, Change, and Art Stories
In 2018, I read The Bitcoin Standard because I couldnât understand why, despite investing in an expensive camera, I struggled to earn it back as stock footage royalties kept dropping. That book opened my eyes to the first part of the equation: money itself.
It took me a few years to truly grasp Bitcoinâs significance, and through trial and error, I realized itâs the only cryptocurrency I believe in. I had my fair share of shitcoin lessonsâwhere I made some money but also lost it. Those experiences taught me a lot about value, scarcity, and what truly lasts.
Bitcoin Is Different
Once you truly understand what Bitcoin stands for, you realize itâs a path to real financial freedom. Like any journey, there will be ups and downs, and plenty of people will tell you youâre wrongâespecially when Bitcoinâs price drops in dollar (fiat) terms. But when in doubt, zoom out.
One thing Iâve learned is that your own path is never truly wrong for you. When others say it is, itâs usually because theyâre comparing it to their own. But weâre all walking our own unique journey. The moment you start comparing, you begin to doubt. True happiness comes from embracing your pathânot someone elseâs.
Art Is My Life, Bitcoin Is the Tool
For me, art is life. Bitcoin is simply the tool that allows me to live a good artistâs life. Saving in Bitcoin and spend when I need it gives me peace of mind. And even with a bit more financial freedom, that doesnât mean Iâd ever stop creating. I always want to push myself, improve my craft, and hopefully inspire others through my art and stories.
I truly believe that all good energy comes from human connection and relationships. The most important thing is having a good day with the people around you. These days, we share those moments on social mediaâbut thatâs just a reflection of a single moment, whether happy or sad. If you donât truly live that moment, itâs just wasted energy.
Iâve also learned to truly appreciate other artists and their craftâto find inspiration in their work. This mindset comes more naturally when you have peace of mind, something a Bitcoin savings can provide.
When youâre not under constant financial pressure, art doesnât have to feel like a business where you must sell your work immediately at an exhibition or event just to make ends meet. Instead, you can focus on creating for the sake of art itself, allowing your work to evolve naturally.
Freedom to Share Your Art on Nostr
Luckily, we now have platforms like Nostr where we can share and earn from our art while building a community, without anyone controlling what we do. Bitcoin stands for financial freedom, and Nostr stands for art-sharing freedom. With Bitcoin, you can walk your own path, and with Nostr, you can share your journey freely.
When youâre free to walk your own path, you naturally attract like-minded people because you donât feel the need to constantly compare yourself to others. The more you embrace being yourself, the more youâll connect with people who resonate with you.
Iâm not suggesting you stay in your own bubble, but rather acknowledging that everyone is in their own bubble in some way. Just like not everyone feels at home in the same country, not everyone feels at home in the same space or community. Itâs all about finding where you belong and who aligns with your energy.
Networking/Events
Iâve always hated networking events in my creative job. I understand their value, but they were never really my thing. So, I was hesitant at first to attend a Nostr event. But it was in Tokyo (Nostrasia), and I love Japan, so that gave me a good reason to go. Fortunately, I was rightâit felt like the right fit for me.
I love to create, and I tend to talk less, so Iâm very selective about the events I attend. Nostr events felt different. Itâs like weâre all builders and creators who have already broken free from the fiat mindset. By that, I mean the mindset where you go to an event, pay a high price (like at some mayor Bitcoin events, which I canât stand), and expect to get something in return. The fiat job mentality where you exchange time for direct money, or as we say in Dutch, uurtje factuurtje (hour work, invoice) just doesnât fit with me. The more you walk your own path, the more you realize what works for you and what doesnât.
My only advice? Save in Bitcoin, create, and walk your own path. And yes, donât forget to smile and enjoy the ride. The journey is the destination!
