Mariela Di Nardo, a Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist, has been immersed in the creative world for over 25 years, wearing multiple hats as a graphic designer, web designer, and artist. Her artistic journey took an exciting turn in April 2021 when she ventured into the NFT space. In September 2021, she took a bold step forward by launching WOMENVerse, an NFT collection dedicated to empowering women.
The genesis of WOMENVerse arose from a tweet claiming a mere 10 women were involved in the NFT domain. In response to the prevailing bro culture that persisted throughout 2021 and still lingers today, Mariela saw an opportunity to create a haven for women artists. A place where they could openly discuss their art, find support, and cultivate a community of like-minded individuals. This vision materialized into the WOMENVerse community, which flourished as an antidote to the existing paradigm.
Nature serves as Mariela’s wellspring of inspiration. Her insatiable curiosity draws her towards the intricate workings of the natural world, from the marvels of evolution to the miraculous transformation of a seed into a nourishing plant. Shapes and light also captivate her imagination, which often leads her to collect nature’s treasures during her outdoor excursions. Throughout her life, she has amassed an extensive collection of these precious “gems” in countless boxes. It is this very inspiration that ignited her acclaimed Nature Notes series, where she beautifully captures and transforms these gems into captivating NFT artwork.
One of Mariela’s remarkable pieces is “Red in Indigo,” which is both stunning and intriguing. Despite its AI-generated origin, Mariela dedicated over 40 hours to meticulously crafting the textures and brushstrokes in Photoshop, transforming it into a painting-like masterpiece. This artwork serves as an interracial celebration of life, portraying resilient women who find joy in dance despite facing life’s challenges.
During our conversation, we delved into the topic of creator-collector sustainability. Mariela expressed concerns about the long-term sustainability of the NFT space without an influx of new collectors. We also discussed the harsh reality that only a few NFT artists are currently earning enough from sales to sustain themselves as full-time artists, particularly during this crypto winter.
Mariela has a diverse array of favorite artists, but her top five picks include: Francien Krieg, Tania Rivilis, David Cheifetz, Andreas Birath and Tony Pro Fine Art.
Her favorite color is orange.
When it comes to the NFT ecosystem, Mariela’s passionate mission with WOMENVerse reflects her desire to effect change. Her aim is to elevate more women artists and provide them with the support they truly deserve, striving for a more inclusive and equitable landscape.
Currently, Mariela is immersed in the creation of two new AI-related collections, centering around Abstract Expressionism and capturing the essence of movement.
Through her art, Mariela intends to evoke introspection and invite viewers to become active participants. She seeks to create a transformative experience where emotions, memories, and thoughts meld and shape-shift within the artwork, allowing individuals to see themselves reflected and engage with the profound depths of their own being.