— Issue #3
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Read this newsletter in 'light mode'

After finishing my latest series Stories on Circles, released with SILK during Silk Road Bali, I started sketching again to create something new.
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This time I wanted to focus on single works, each with its own story or concept. The trip to Bali — my first physical exhibition of digital works outside Brazil — and the support from the whole SILK team, gave me a lot of energy for this direction and inspiration for this 1/1.

During the Silk Road event, there was a moment where we joined a local Balinese ritual. It was spontaneous, and it felt good to be welcomed into their culture together with so many artists, collectors, and curators from our web3 space. Honestly, I think many of us had no idea what the ritual really was about or what the leader was saying — not me though, I’m fluent in all languages… you know ;)

Still, I could feel we all understood it was something good. It made me think about how often we participate in group experiences without fully understanding them. We join in, we get carried by the moment — it feels nice. However, at the same time it can also be risky without us fully realizing.

This particular event in Bali was a positive example, but it reminded me that sometimes curiosity can also lead people into places they later regret. I think about my dad, who once searched deeply for meaning and ended up moving through many religions and practices. His desire was strong, but looking back he realized some of those experiences were not what he wanted to be part of.
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We are all influenced by the groups around us. Sometimes we even copy them without noticing. Though I guess it's quite common and understandable — wanting to be a part of something, and in particular of something you believe in — and if you see it that way, maybe we are all inside some kind of cult.

You could say:
Money is a cult.
Society is a cult.
Family is a cult.
Art is a cult.
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Too much? Maybe. But this is the thinking that shaped my new work.
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I genuinely feel excited to build together with SILK and basically be part of that 'cult'. I felt very lucky to meet the team in Bali, and think we’re going to make a lot of big things happen together.

I’m also still amazed at how independent and free you can be in web3. That was the first thing that pulled me in. Before, I was stuck making boring designs for boring music (yes, generalizing, but you get it). Now I’m creating for myself, for my vision. I AM FUCKING IN.

Even though my first steps were independent, I now see how important it is to work with others — to gain new visions that lead to new actions. A work only has the value we put into it, or that society or a group decides to put into it. And right now I feel I’m surrounded by a group of people building something long-term — not only SILK, but also the collectors who understand that this is a road we are all walking together. You’ll keep seeing me here for a long time, if God allows. I hope to see you around for a long time here too.

And finally, the artwork is here. Cult is finished. I’ve wanted to share it with you for a while, and now it’s out. I’d love to hear what you think, or if you’ve had any experiences that connect with the theme.
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​This is what keeps art alive for me and brings out new thoughts — when ideas bounce back and forth between us all.

Below you’ll find the full process video, recorded automatically in Procreate.
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Some fun data on this work: 9,303 'strokes', 24 hours and 21 minutes of open screen time on the file.

While writing this newsletter I also discovered I’d been recording the process in medium quality. Sorry about that; the next ones will be in high res and I think it will look insane.

For now, enjoy!
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— omentejovem
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