With its low transaction fees, thriving NFT collector community, and more accessible entry point compared to Ethereum, Solana's blockchain has become a magnet for both newcomers and veteran NFT artists alike.
While the biggest NFT marketplaces cater to traders, platforms such as Exchange.Art have become a new haven for 1/1 art creators (NFTs that are unique and not mass-produced).
Several significant releases from renowned Ethereum artists have made their way into the Solana ecosystem. This includes ThankYouX, whose piece "Xplore" was sold for a record 751 SOL in March 2022, and Cath Simard, whose 1/1 NFT "Alone, not lonely" fetched 1300 SOL in June of the same year.
These successes may have inspired other artists to either switch to or experiment with Solana. Although not everyone has achieved success, this article will highlight those who have made a mark.
Even before his foray into NFTs, he was engaging with fans through live Twitch streams, sharing his process of creating comics. However, it was his venture into digital art that truly catapulted him to fame.
His priciest NFT, “Neruda Poem #1,” is listed at 4,269 SOL (approximately $450,000), while his most affordable piece, “gmoot poem #3183,” is priced at 3.5 SOL (about $367). Throughout his career, he has sold NFTs totaling approximately $1.9 million.
SCUM is among the most cherished artists in the Solana ecosystem. After leaving the DeGods and Y00ts projects in October 2022, the artist embarked on a solo career, focusing on creating PFP NFTs (profile picture NFTs for social media platforms).
The artist’s most notable collection, “Slimes,” features 49 PFPs inspired by Mexican style, merging ancient Mayan and Aztec elements with contemporary 21st-century trends.
“My aesthetic is Loud, Bold and Vibrant. I am heavily inspired by the 80s and 90s color themes, and I also play heavily into y2k vibes of my early teen years. I love bright colors and the play between geometric and freeform shapes. I’m influenced by streetwear, hiphop, anime, and gaming culture. If it’s highlighter yellow, pink or blue…I’m gonna like it,” Hyblinxx shares about her style.
Despite Hyblinxx’s NFT sales totaling only $179,000, considerably less than other Solana artists, her work continues to gain traction within the crypto community, becoming a frontrunner in the "cozy NFT" niche.
The designer has launched 7 NFT collections to date, with 6 featuring animation and one showcasing 3D art. The collective sales volume of this artist’s NFTs stands at $150,000.
Several significant releases from renowned Ethereum artists have made their way into the Solana ecosystem. This includes ThankYouX, whose piece "Xplore" was sold for a record 751 SOL in March 2022, and Cath Simard, whose 1/1 NFT "Alone, not lonely" fetched 1300 SOL in June of the same year.
These successes may have inspired other artists to either switch to or experiment with Solana. Although not everyone has achieved success, this article will highlight those who have made a mark.
John Le
John Le is an American artist of Asian descent who has shown how an art career can flourish in the digital asset era. He is best known for his popular comic series “Giga,” published by Vault Comics.
Even before his foray into NFTs, he was engaging with fans through live Twitch streams, sharing his process of creating comics. However, it was his venture into digital art that truly catapulted him to fame.
NFT “JL - #018” valued at 200 SOL. Source: exchange.art
His NFTs rank among the most sold on the Exchange.Art marketplace. As of February 2024, the total sales volume of all his NFTs is $2,259,000, with his NFT prices ranging from 125 to 1000 SOL.
Degen Poet
Degen Poet, who identifies as a “typewriter artist,” is a Solana ecosystem art creator using scanners, Photoshop, ink pens, and more to create his works. He has produced a wide range of NFT series, from simple typewritten poems to artistic takes on popular Solana meme coins, such as BONK.
NFT “Watercolor Bonk”. Source: exchange.art
In his artwork, Degen Poet uses a mechanical keyboard to create text-based images, which he then embellishes with watercolor, markers, animation, and other tools. This results in a distinctive art style that blends past and present technologies within the Solana ecosystem.
His priciest NFT, “Neruda Poem #1,” is listed at 4,269 SOL (approximately $450,000), while his most affordable piece, “gmoot poem #3183,” is priced at 3.5 SOL (about $367). Throughout his career, he has sold NFTs totaling approximately $1.9 million.
SCUM
As of February 2024, SCUM’s artworks have taken the lead in weekly trading volumes, outperforming BONK Galleries, with the total volume of just four NFTs by the artist reaching $29,800.
SCUM is among the most cherished artists in the Solana ecosystem. After leaving the DeGods and Y00ts projects in October 2022, the artist embarked on a solo career, focusing on creating PFP NFTs (profile picture NFTs for social media platforms).
The artist’s most notable collection, “Slimes,” features 49 PFPs inspired by Mexican style, merging ancient Mayan and Aztec elements with contemporary 21st-century trends.
Some characters from the "Slimes" NFT collection. Source: exchange.art
Since launching Slimes on Exchange.Art, the collection's trading volume has reached $420,100, with a floor price of 400 SOL.
Hyblinxx
The art of Hyblinxx is a vibrant reflection of her life. An orphan of Haitian descent raised by adoptive parents in the USA, she infuses her life experiences into creating enchanting worlds. The artist uses a palette of colorful, often pink, purple, and blue hues, blending a sense of childlike wonder with subtly mature imagery.
NFT “BLINXX #000”. Source: exchange.art
Hyblinxx rose to prominence in Solana with her NFT series "The Hoodlums," featuring quirky creatures and fantastical landscapes, rendered in a mix of traditional drawing techniques and digital graphics.
“My aesthetic is Loud, Bold and Vibrant. I am heavily inspired by the 80s and 90s color themes, and I also play heavily into y2k vibes of my early teen years. I love bright colors and the play between geometric and freeform shapes. I’m influenced by streetwear, hiphop, anime, and gaming culture. If it’s highlighter yellow, pink or blue…I’m gonna like it,” Hyblinxx shares about her style.
Despite Hyblinxx’s NFT sales totaling only $179,000, considerably less than other Solana artists, her work continues to gain traction within the crypto community, becoming a frontrunner in the "cozy NFT" niche.
Joice Loo
Taiwanese-American artist and designer Joice Loo introduces a sense of playful eccentricity to the art of the Solana ecosystem. She consistently produces both animated and still works, each marked by a distinctive visual style.
NFT N.O.M. Source: exchange.art
Joice Loo’s creations are remarkable, combining various shapes, contours, and animations. The depth of her work engulfs viewers, making any NFT by Joice Loo instantly recognizable among thousands.
The designer has launched 7 NFT collections to date, with 6 featuring animation and one showcasing 3D art. The collective sales volume of this artist’s NFTs stands at $150,000.
