A Safe House For Your Imagination

A Safe House For Your Imagination is rare digital art by Joe Chiappetta, available as an edition of only 1 on Ethereum Network.

I created an animated painting of my wife's old wooden dollhouse and she wrote an accompanying essay to mark the occasion.

A Safe House For Your Imagination 
Essay by Denise Chiappetta, art by Joe Chiappetta

It's been over a 40 year journey and I've carried very few things with me the entire time. But the dollhouse my parents gave me when I was 3 years old, has traveled many miles in many decades. Childhood, while wonderful, can also have its challenges. A perfect little world of fancy furniture, a picture-perfect fireplace and perpetually smiling family members made an ideal escape. 

Since my early days spent in grand imaginings, while sitting in front of this tiny home, I have raised 2 daughters who have woven their own whimsical tales within its small walls. So, the dollhouse remains a fixture in our household, some years being played with on a daily basis: other years fly by and it sits largely untouched, as childhood imaginings give way to bigger projects, and adulthood concerns. But every so often, us 3 girls, now women, who lived tiny lifetimes within its walls, will take an extended glance at it and recall the moments of whimsy we were privileged to enjoy within the walls of our very own little "safe house" for the imagination.

Once Upon a Time in Pasadena

Once Upon a Time in Pasadena is rare digital art available on MakersPlace.

Once upon a time in Pasadena, I found an American bridge to Mediterranean delights.
I found that every street can be more amazing than the next.
I found that a mountain backdrop makes everything wonderful.

Once upon a time in Pasadena, I found whales of fortune riding waves of home pricing.
I found all that glitters is not gold... it's also wildfire, sushi and real estate.
I found that fancy cars--both old and new--are as common as palm trees.

Once upon a time in Pasadena, I found the earth quake under my feet, and life goes on.
I found that people freak out more over a little rain than they probably should.
I found that persistently pleasant weather is not the best character-builder.

Once upon a time in Pasadena, I found a history of America I never knew.
I found the lure of fame and Hollywood appear to be just a stone's throw away.
I found talented people to be a dime-a-dozen, singing sadder songs than they should be singing.

Once upon a time in Pasadena, I found that rich cities still desperately need God.
I found more homeless people than there should be.
I found humanity.

Once upon a time in Pasadena, I found a man, and his wife, desperately needing God.
I found humility.
I found the real me.

Joe Chiappetta
http://SillyDaddy.net

Blind Demon of Crypto Art

This colorful and lightly animated piece of digital art is layered with all sorts of depth as well as trivial matters. It is meant to be a bit of a profound mystery waiting to be unraveled by the inquiring mind. Isn't that just like real life? One minute we are pushing against the weight of the whole world. Then suddenly, our sentiments adjust to external circumstances and we find ourselves talking about the shifting shapes of clouds while singing nostalgic pop songs that have no real meaning. How did we get here? What's the big picture again?

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art is available on MakersPlace as rare digital art.

The big picture is often-times too big to wrap our heads around. So let's ease into the big picture by talking about something fun and slightly mysterious itself. Cryptocurrency, as well as artwork related to cryptocurrency (also known as Crypto Art), are both relatively new innovations. Much excitement--as well as controversy--follows them almost wherever they go. Indeed, cryptocurrency, crypto art, and the blockchains they revolve around, hold remarkable promise for opportunity. While I am a fan of these advancements in economics and the art delivery ecosystem, I must admit that cryptocurrency and crypto art also hold potential for great loss as well as waste.

Why would such a paradox exist within these blockchain-born creations? It's important to understand that cryptocurrency, as well as crypto art (AKA cryptoart), are both merely tools. Whether it be the Bitcoin, Ethereum, Counterparty, or EOS blockchain, such chains are neither good, nor bad. Their value to society depends on what people do with these tools. The "good" or "bad" aspects of cryptocurrency and cryptoart reside in the human hands who wield these futuristic tools of today.

It is reflecting on these principles that I present this essay, designed to accompany the cryptoart piece which I painted of the very same title:

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art wants to be worshiped.
He wants you to think that you need to be worshiped too.
He wants you to think that crypto art will solve most of the world's problems.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art wants you to make blockchain your new religion.
He wants you to think that cryptocurrency leaders are uniquely qualified to save the world.
He wants you to think that economic revolution will happen any minute now.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art is very attractive and entirely compelling.
He goes by many names, including Art on the Blockchain Demon, Rare Digital Art Demon, Digital Goods Demon, Non-Fungible Token Demon, Tokenized Art Demon, Crypto-Collectible Demon, Rare Digital Assets Demon, Blockchain Art Demon; the list goes on.
Yet regardless of the remarkable innovation this creature so boldly associates himself with, never forget; he is a demon.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art wants you to think that your art will last forever.
He wants every crypto artist to believe that collectors will gladly buy most of their creations.
He wants you to think that cryptocurrency will last forever.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art wants you to think the market is not flooded.
He wants you to live for art and not the demands of responsible reality.
He wants you to check the prices of cryptocurrency at least twice a day--every day.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art wants you to think that Internet acquaintances love you deeply.
He wants you to serve cryptocurrency and art with equal passion.
He wants you to only be happy if a collector buys your rare digital art.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art wants you to love cryptocurrency and art instead of loving people.
He wants to be your closest relationship.
He wants you to sell your soul, and he gladly takes payment in all all kinds of crypto.

The Blind Demon of Crypto Art is wrong.
He is not your friend.
He is your enemy.

Silly Daddy Merry-Go-Round

Silly Daddy Merry-Go-Round is one of my most complex experimental animation artworks to date, using 83 frames/unique art images. I issued this cartoon as limited edition rare digital art on SuperRare. There on that thriving crypto-art marketplace, you can buy the only existing blockchain edition of this comic-themed artwork using Ethereum.

What's this artwork all about? The family--as a theme--has been a major recurring element in my professional art and comics career. It has been that way for almost as long as I can remember. Perhaps that comes as no surprise, considering that I have been putting out Silly Daddy Comics since 1992. That's the year after I first became a father. And that was a long time ago.

Since the circle represents unity, and since unity is what all reasonable families genuinely desire, I set out to make some animated digital art that rotates in a circle, represents the family, and communicates a happy, fun unity. The heads of the family are positioned quite close together. This signifies the common desire of family members to bond in closeness and warmth toward each other. The abstract star-shape in the center shows that my wife and kids are a bright twinkle in my eye.

Using various stages of my Silly Daddy Family logo, which I also refer to as the Silly Daddy Avatar, I combined the old and new versions of this family design to highlight the change as well as demonstrate growth and progress over time. Such things should be evident in an artist's work. Moreover, such things like growth and progress should be evident in a healthy family.

A common manner in which families bond is through shared experiences, including movies and television. This is why it seemed fitting to infuse my artwork with a retro television style. Being experimental in my artwork has always been an important part of the creative process. So the unpredictable glitches that decorate this animation bring me great delight. In my mind, the glitches make it more real, because real life, and the pursuit of unity can be full of real glitches. Yet unity is still entirely worth pursuing.

Videos and movies often have a big impact on families, mine included. I recall my Dad and Mom taking us kids to the movies to see Star Wars back in the 1970s. It created an epic memory--from that point forward I believed being a hero was entirely possible. And my parents helped nurture such a dream. Similarly, I also recall watching cartoons and kids' shows with my children when they were little: Barney the Dinosaur, Thomas the Tank Engine, Bob the Builder... the list goes on. My biggest memory of those peaceful times is one of safety. I was happy being with my children and knowing that they were safe. And I hope that they have safe memories of me and my wife as they grow older and come to appreciate the role of parenting more and more. Perhaps a picture of Barney the Dinosaur will remind them of that safe feeling. Or perhaps all they need to see is my smiling face.

Here is to safety, to unity, to family, forever!

Joe Chiappetta

Bitcoin for Silly Daddy - A Journey into Cryptocurrency

How many years are we away from a scenario where paper money is frowned upon and even rejected?

Of course no person in their right mind would be so ungrateful (or foolish) as to turn down any form of currency as a gift. But there could come a time when early adopters of cryptocurrency actually prefer to receive money exclusively in bitcoin or other alternative digital currencies. What is Bitcoin? It's a new kind of encrypted digital currency that is already being used on a global scale. The future is here now. And it is not just limited to Bitcoin. There are many other rising digital assets that operate like coins, tokens, and currencies on a new and digital level. For example, Ethereum is another of these rising new cryptocurrencies to watch.

The Tribe of Crypto-Enthusiasts

Cryptocurrency users are usually highly proactive about how to help newcomers cross over to wider digital currency usage. More and more, cryptocurrency users will teach others how to understand and use these new assets. It's been going on for many years already. This is a rapidly expanding and real movement: the Bitcoin Movement, the Cryptocurrency Movement, the Digital Asset Explosion. The names may vary, but the results are world-changing, largely because avid users of these cryptocurrencies operate not unlike a tribe. These groupings of people with shared values are collectively bringing our culture to parts unknown.

While much excitement is associated with all of these digital innovations, no form of money or asset should ever be a cause to live for. People must live for things eternal, and helping others along the way. Nevertheless, every movement needs at least a few good cartoons. Here I offer a Cryptocurrency Movement cartoon from the Silly Daddy Comics Universe. You might even call this a cryptocomic.

As a cartoonist, I am looking with a keen eye to see the mediums in which cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum can advance and prosper for all parties involved, because creators and entrepreneurs can benefit from certain paradigm shifts. I remember when webcomics were a new concept in the beginning of the Internet. Early adopters were trying to figure out an easy way to send micropayments to creators. That never really got off the ground... until recently. Indeed, cryptocurrency and comics make a great combo for an online tipping platform. It will be fun to see what the future holds and watch as more people get on board the crypto-ship.

Calculated Risk

Before jumping in on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, there's a lot more information that a person must weigh out. Most investments (including buying things like Bitcoin) are really calculated risks. It's not much different than gambling, which is mostly about odds, chances, and even gut level feelings. But a calculated risk--an investment--in any cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum is best done after a person reviews enough information to make an educated decision. Each person needs to determine if their level of risk is acceptable. The main difference between a gamble and a calculated risk is that with the latter, there are more concrete facts to absorb and assess first. Gratefully, there now exists a wealth of tools and analysis, both pro and con, available about cryptocurrencies so that educated decisions can be made. In the end, each person makes their own choice.

In the case of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and a number of other alt-coins, people who hold these assets right now do get a real value for it. This isn't a case of "maybe this will be worth something some day." These digital assets are worth something right now. In the case of Bitcoin, a holder of the cryptocurrency can even use it to buy all sorts of things instantly at this very moment online.

Peeking into the Crypto-Future

As for the future, only God knows what will really take root, whether it be Bitcoin, Ethereum, the US Dollar, or even some other cryptocurrency. Perhaps one day, I may even launch ComicCoin, or SillyDaddy Dollars as digital assets. Yet for now, based on all the information I have absorbed, I believe Bitcoin, Ethereum, as well as the US Dollar have a place in all of our futures. Despite controversy surrounding each of these currencies, they each have a lot of support and a lot of motivated people/organizations fighting diligently for each currency's perpetual establishment and expansion.

Therefore, unforeseen apocalyptic events aside, I imagine that there will be a significant place for cryptocurrency and the US Dollar in the years to come.