‘It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on’.

- Satoshi Nakamoto

The world loves a superhero. Even more, a secret identity. Veiled in a mask of mystery, Satoshi Nakamoto is the single most intriguing character in crypto ever. He penned the most incredible gift humankind has ever received and then vanished into the ether. On Jan. 3, 2009 he released the Genesis Block, the original block of the first 50 bitcoins, transforming the future of finance one day - and gone the next.

But where is he now? Surely a person of that significance can't just disappear? Imagine how intricate and complex the plan would have to be to remain anonymous. To live among us, undetected, never claiming the prize, day in and day out. Imagine the fortitude to keep it up. Unless Occam's Razor is at play? A simple disguise? Maybe. A change of clothes? Perhaps. Maybe he's just living among us as an average, everyday normal guy?

We'll probably never know... but with the stroke of a brush, we can imagine!

Genesis

This is the first collection of The Painted Satoshis. An art-first project of 4749 NFTs built from a random selection of algorithmically generated, painterly-collage style traits.

Fair Drop

This project is purposefully soft launched. Organic growth and culture is the goal. No presale, no mint pass, no manipulation, no favourites. We want an equal opportunity for all.

0.04749 ETH

The project has been fairly priced for everyone at 0.04749 ETH with an optimized contract to reduce gas fees.

The Process

Painterly Collage

Every piece begins with putting pencil to paper, or in this case Apple Pencil to screen. Capturing the subject's general likeness during the initial sketching comes from many source materials and is essential. Once it is fine-tuned, the next step is to block in colours for light and shadow. This helps establish a palette that resonates and seizes an appropriate mood for the piece. When the central portion of the painting is acceptable, textured collage elements are layered in like little puzzle pieces. This painterly-collage style has evolved over 20 years into an intricate process that adds sophistication to the work. After solving the collage elements, the piece is nearing completion. Only fine-tuning of the tonal values, colours and subtle details are left. Each stage of the creation process is effectively trial and error until it looks and 'feels' right. Experience and intuition play a key role in determining when the piece is done. Most people may not even notice the small details, but they are subconsciously aware of them. When something is wrong, you notice. When it's just right, you don't bat an eye.

The Future

A Collector's Culture

This is where you're expecting to see <insert lofty story> about the groundbreaking roadmap we have planned as if we're some sort of fortune-telling metaverse tour guide who knows the trendy crypto digs with promises of life-changing riches. Well, we're not that. Not even close. The truth is, we're just a small team of two mixing art and technology in an attempt to dip our digital toes in the NFT pool. There are so many projects out there vying for your attention, good and bad, and competition is fierce. The last thing we want to do is build a house of cards or make unrealistic promises - so we're starting small. We believe that community building, and more importantly the culture of that community, is at the core of success. We'd love to build a roadmap for the future with you. Maybe we'll auction IRL paintings and prints, or airdrop custom 1-of-1's, or do artist collabs, or welcome-list a second collection. But no games. We don't do games. Don't ask. First though, we need to build a community - and we need to do that together. So lets start by saying hi on Twitter and Instagram.

The Beginning

After pondering the question 'where is he now?' a simple personal project captured the suspected likeness of Satoshi.

The Belief

Which begged the question... how would he walk among us today? Occam's Razor must be at play. So what would he look like?

The Buildup

The Painted Satoshis were born. An art-first collection of 4749 unique NFTs with a myriad of traits from turtlenecks to tattoos.

The Team

Aboot the team

We're two Canadians with complementary skillsets who love art and technology and felt the NFT space would be a fantastic way to blend our penchant for both. With loads of experience in commercial art, design, branding and advertising, we wanted to build something of our own and learn along the way. We're creating what makes us happy - art that we would like to see in the NFT space - hoping others enjoy it too. So to begin, that is what you get with us - a cool narrative, unique art and Canadian values. Not a bad start, eh?

Darren Booth

An award-winning illustrator with a client list including Disney, Google, and Adobe, Darren's work walks the fine line between illustration and art.

Kangokai

Obsessed with design, code and crypto he's spent a career as a multi-faceted Creative Director leading teams of designers, deep thinkers and storytellers.

Q & A

Because you're wondering...

At the moment, we’re aiming for MVU (Minimal Viable Utility). As any good product manager knows getting off the ground is the first step. As any good brand manager knows community is the soul. We have plans to build brand equity and favour in the community but we’re focusing on the art first. The rest will follow, and hopefully with you by our side.

Underpromise and overdeliver is how we operate. We'd rather surprise you unexpectedly then try to meet some frivolous goal on a lofty roadmap. Nobody puts more pressure on us than ourselves. This is our first project and we’re a team of two, so we’re not quite in a position to deliver on crazy goals yet. We'll remain open to pivoting and feedback from our hodlers. After-all, it’s scary launching something into a new space. It could crash and burn and break our hearts, spilling maple syrup everywhere. And nobody wants to spill the syrup.

Well, the collection has 4749 pieces and every trait was digitally hand-painted. There is everything from teardrops to tank-tops, sweaters to shades, facial hair and middle fingers. You may even find a cat. Everyone loves cats. Especially ones with 3D glasses. Check OpenSea for all the details.

We've priced the mint at just 0.04749 ETH. "Thats an odd number" you'll say. Well, it has meaning. It also seems to fall right in the middle of the range for mints lately that cost anywhere from just paying for the gas to 0.1 or more. So we priced it down the middle. Nice and average. Just like Canadians.

Well, Satoshi released the Genesis Block of Bitcoin on Jan 3, 2009. We have 4749 pieces in the collection. It's only fitting that we drop this collection 4749 days after Satoshi's first release, which is Jan 3, 2022.

Good question, thanks for asking. It means exactly what it sounds like - that this project is focused on the art, first. We're driven by the work, and more importantly the quality of it, rather than the floor price. Become a collector. Enjoy the art. It tells a story... and you're the narrator.

If you have comment, question, criticism or concern, by all means send us a DM on Twitter or Instagram. If it's a message that makes more sense via email, hit us up at thepaintedsatoshis@gmail.com.

A limited edition, hand-painted, art first NFT project.

‘It might make sense just to get some in case it catches on’.

Painterly Collage