(February 13, 2024) Who would have imagined that art could be sold as NFTs (non-fungible tokens), creating new opportunities for artists, particularly digital ones, to earn money and transforming the art world like never before? One example is Laya Mathikshara, a teenager from Chennai, who ventured into this realm, using NFTs to showcase her passion for art. In just three years, the 16-year-old has achieved a remarkable feat, earning $1 million through the sale of over 100 NFTs, a significant milestone in the digital art scene. “It opened up a range of new possibilities that people were unaware of. It began as a hobby but soon I saw my art getting collected rapidly, and realised the power of NFTs and blockchain,” Laya tells Global Indian.
Laya Mathikshara
Fascination for digital art
Growing up in Chennai, Laya loved engaging in artistic activities from a young age – mixing colours, experimenting with chalk, and doodling in her notebooks. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic offered her ample time that she decided to delve deeper into digital art, especially being fascinated by the animation film The Lion King. “That’s when I began learning 3D art and blending creative concepts, recalls Laya, who devoted a significant time to online resources like YouTube and Blender Guru.
As a youngster fascinated by coding and robotics, she discovered digital art at the crossroads of technology and art – a concept that sparked her curiosity. “The idea of blending the two seemed interesting and somewhat unconventional.” Unlike the traditional forms of art, she found the realm of digital media particularly exciting. “Physical mediums didn’t interest me as much as the digital ones did.”
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NFTs – a new world
While honing her craft as a digital artist, she parallelly began following digital artists on social media and observed a trend where they were showcasing their work as NFTs. A term that she had earlier stumbled upon in Clubhouse – a social audio app – opened up new possibilities for monetising her artwork. “I expanded my understanding of blockchain by actively listening to different individuals and gaining insights from various viewpoints, not only from an artistic perspective but also from the perspective of a day trader, a techie, or a business person. That’s how I got to learn things a little quicker than usual as otherwise I would have only one dimension of knowledge,” says Laya.
What began as a fun activity to turn her artwork into NFTs soon evolved into a scalable venture, with her artworks getting collected rapidly. “Scaling up wasn’t intentional, but as my previous works gained traction and were collected by others, I found myself regularly creating new pieces. It became almost like a domino effect — each creation leading to the next. I always had something lined up for the following week, and before I knew it, it had turned into a long and fulfilling journey,” smiles the teenager, whose work has been exhibited across the globe.
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Three months after listing her first artwork as an NFT, she woke up to an Instagram story announcing that it had been collected. “I remember darting around my home, exclaiming, “Oh my god, it’s real!” It didn’t fully sink in until I logged into my MetaMask account and saw funds deposited there,” says Laya, adding, “That moment made me realise that this wasn’t just some magic internet money, it’s serious. Initially, I brushed off my first sale as a mere coincidence. But as I continued to upload more of my artwork, witnessing them being collected back-to-back, I realised it’s not just luck,” says Laya.
In the last three years, she has created a portfolio that boasts of over 100 collected artworks for a whopping $1 million. Ask her about her strategy, and she quips, “Creating art consistently. Moreover, I was active on every social media platform, including Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Clubhouse, where I engaged with others,” says the teenager who also hosted an art exhibition in the Metaverse to foster connections with other digital artists. “I curated the exhibition, featuring works from around 50 artists, hence providing exposure to their art as well. This initiative allowed me to engage with visitors, understand their artistic journeys, styles, and perspectives on NFTs.” In addition, she welcomed constructive feedback, which played a crucial role in refining her artwork.
Championing causes through her art
However, for Laya, being a digital artist is more than just monetising her work through NFTs. She is using her art for causes close to her as she recognises it as a powerful tool to connect with a broader audience. In 2021, she made a short film Gratitude, appreciating the efforts of frontline workers during the pandemic, which earned her a nomination at the Busan International Kids and Youth Film Festival and All American High School Film Festival. Moreover, it was screened at AMC Theatre in Times Square. The same year, she collaborated with Space X for Falcon 9 launch as one of the 50 NFT artists whose art was auctioned. The proceeds went to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital for cancer research. “Collaborating with a renowned brand while supporting a noble cause was truly rewarding,” says the digital artist whose AR artwork was showcased at COP28.
Laya was only 13 when she began experimenting with digital art and kept trying new styles as she loved creating art. “I realised as a young person I could
create so much impact, something I had never thought about in my weirdest dreams. This gave me a lot of self-confidence. She says her biggest learning in the process has been to never hesitate to try something new. “You never know where it will take you.”
Web3 community – the easy access
In the last few years, the NFT marketplace has expanded, and digital artists like Laya have found a platform to showcase their art, irrespective of their age, gender, nationality, or identity. “Unlike traditional avenues, which require formal education or credentials to showcase their art, the digital art operates on inclusivity and openness, allowing anyone to participate without rigid rules,” says the artist who is happy that digital art has now evolved as a viable career option. “It has given hope to many people that they can create impact and be a part of something this big.” Moreover, the emergence of the Web3 community has expanded opportunities through encouragement and experimentation. “The space focuses more on collective growth than individual success.”
She has exhibited her artworks across the globe but feels a lot of people look for utility even in art, and this mindset needs to change. “What’s the purpose of it is a question that they are trying to constantly find an answer to. It is more of a philosophical problem than mediums of art.”
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A self-taught artist, Laya has plans to pursue a degree in art after she completes her schooling. Currently, a student of The International School Bangalore, she calls AR art and microscopic art the future. “We will probably move towards art forms that we can’t see through naked eyes and feel a different dimension altogether. Recently microscopic art is gaining momentum. Artists are using microorganisms and arranging them to create visually appealing pieces. They grow these microorganisms in interesting patterns to make them look artistic,” Laya signs off.
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