Kris. I always like to start at the very beginning. Have you always worked in the creative industry, or are there any other jobs you worked before you were a professional retoucher? And when did you first realize you wanted to work in the creative industry in some capacity?


I’ve had other jobs, yes. They were mainly in my teens, and early 20s when I first moved to Copenhagen. Like I was an electrician for two weeks at one point, street salesman, check out in a store the list goes on. I’ve done a lot of shit in short spans of time. 
When I moved to Copenhagen, I moved there to study Japanese at Copenhagen Business school. This clearly didn’t workout for me and I realised that I’d rather play around with Photoshop than practice my Kanji. 


As someone who's made a career out of retouching - have you ever worked with or experimented with photography? 

Yes I’ve both worked as a commercial/portrait photographer for several, and sold photographs as art. Because of the fact that I’ve worked with retouching for as long as I have. Means that I know practically every photographer in Copenhagen, or at least of them. You are bound to get some Arista Premium (photography developer agent) under your nails that way. 


I think one issue with NFT's is the issue of consensus. Or to be more specific - there really never seems to be any when it comes to all the stumbling blocks artists encounter in this space. We've all hit a wall when it comes to pricing, promotion, shilling and a myriad of other issues. What advice would you give to artists that are being pulled in so many directions on issues with NFT's?

Do take it slow, do not fomo into anything. Like any other sales strategy, do assess the market. What am I selling, is anyone else doing what I do? How do they do it? Do I even have a strategy? Try to think long and hard about what you actually want to do within this space.
Start low and slow, don’t go in a ask/demand a very high price. IMO 1 ETH even 0.5 is way too high for a new NFTartis. I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it again; I sold my first 3 for a 100$.
Try to figure out what platform you want to be on, work hard to get on it. Do not shuffle too much around… it works for some, but it’s few people who can pull it off. And do remember, once a piece is sold, there's no redo in blockchain. I wish I had had a better grasp of this before I started. 


Another topic that seems to be very hot right now, is the issue of copyright. I think we're all aware that currently most platforms are only granting non commercial licence with NFT sales. But if the mechanics for additional rights were to be added, is this a positive or a negative thing for artists to be able to offer in your opinion?

The idea of adding the option to sell a NFT with full rights is very appealing to me. I like it. 
The fact that the buyers could use my work for whatever they want is not bad imo, but I would question the buyer before a sale.
I also see the problem(s) though, you could easily see the piece being sold on the secondary market to someone you wouldn't want to hold it.
This exact problem is actually why Taylor Swift is re-recording all her songs… She doesn't own the rights, and they were all sold to a person she doesn't feel good about owning “her” songs.
So I guess for me the option* to sell them with rights is a plus, but it’s something the artist should put a lot of consideration into. 


I think most people who have been observing your rise in this scene would agree you've played a bit of a blinder in your overall strategy. Something that is fairly evident in your quick rise in your pricing floor and your following on socials. What is the single most important bit of advice you could give to new artists entering the scene?

The 3 Cs: Community, consistency and curiosity. 
Speak to everyone you can, do not be shy about it. Most of the NFT space is taking place on twitter and Discord, platforms that are made for talking and interacting. 
If people don't want to talk and interact, they are doing it wrong!
I’ve never turned anyone down, who has reached out,and some of the interactions I’ve had because of that. Is what I cherish the most in this space. Many of these people have become my good friends, and are the reason why I am where I am today. 
NFTs are not easy... NFTs are really fucking hard work!
If you entered the NFTs space, you just became your own brand, whether you like it or not… You have to market your art. You have to sell your art. You have to make the hard decisions. You have to choose your strategy. You have to determine your price, and you have to build a community and a brand around yourself.


Which artists (from any medium) have influenced your work the most over the years?

Photographers is a big one, Mario Testino, Henrik Bülow, Trine Søndergaard, Blaise Reuterswärd, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Ansel Adams, Annie Leibovitz and a 100 more. They’ve always been a big part of my life, and they bring so much inspiration. 

I am very influenced by the dadaists and surrealists of art history; Magritte, Miró, Dalie. 
The great masters; Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael... all the turtles. 

Painters of Baroque stuff are also a huge one, Rembrandt being one, and some Danish ones, P.S. Krøyer, Carl Locher. All these are where I draw my inspiration for themes, lighting and compositions. 
Architecture is a huge influence in most of my work, I can only name very few architects, but I love looking at it and doing deep dives into the different genres and styles. 
Brutalism being a favorite of mine. There’s of course loads in the NFT/Creative space, like so many that I could go one forever and new ones are popping up everyday! You all inspire me! 


Mental health is a topic that still doesn't seem to get as much traction as I would like to see. I think we're all well versed in the positives of being in this space. But do you ever feel affected negatively from being a part of the NFT space? If so, what advice would you offer other artists reading this?

Actually I don’t feel that negatively affected by anything around NFTs, to be honest.. I’ve never felt more at home, and I'm very grateful for being here. 
Something I do know is that it's way too easy to burn out. I’ve seen a lot of people in the space fly very close to the sun.
It’s okay to work hard and push yourself in periodes, but you should know where your own limits are, and how long you can stretch them. Listen to both your body and mind. If you need a break, take it. NFTs ain't going nowhere, and we’ll all be here when you come back. 

You've recently been whitelisted as a SuperRare artist. Are there any other major goals you've set yourself up to achieve with your art in the coming years?

Wouldn’t it just be amazing to be able to live off your art? Why yes, yes it would.
I would absolutely love to be able to create whatever I feel like, and never have to worry about the monetary aspects of my life ever again. Would I like to be immortalized through what I do?

…well, that would be pretty cool wouldn’t it?
I would also like to become a figure in the space, people will come to, for help. 
Collectors as well as artists. I have a lot of ideas, and some of them are already in their infancy. 


The worst question that no artist or creative person ever wants to hear - where do you find those creative sparks?

Honestly I just sit down and work, my pieces take a lot of time and my process is slow. So new ideas for other works rise constantly. Some of them I’ll write down, others just stick and won't leave again. I really can’t remember the last time I didn’t know what to start on. 


How has your own journey during the pandemic been? I think most people looking at your trajectory from afar might think you are constantly and effortlessly creating new art all the time. Has the pandemic affected your creative output at all? Or have there been struggles behind the scenes that people aren't aware of because of it?

Family life has been really hard at times, like really hard. 
In terms of NFTs it’s been a wild time haven’t it… During the pandemic work has been really demanding, greatly because of communication issues. But also because of the trajectory the company I work at is on fire, a doge on a rocket straight to the moon… We’ve not been sitting on our hands. 

On the contrary, it’s never been busier. Holy BESH! 


Which piece have you made that you're the most proud of?

It’s got to be either Aphrodite or Amaterasu Omikami, the latter is my genesis on SuperRareI did in collaboration with Nikki Siu Hai.

https://superrare.com/artwork-v2/amaterasu-omikami-24617
https://makersplace.com/kristianlevin/aphrodite-1-of-1-57936/


Are there any life mantras you live and die by?

Work hard, be nice to people. Clean your room, do not be lazy!


With things in this space moving so fast. What would be your big predictions for NFT's over the next 3-5? (Kris mate i know you're knowledgeable in crypto stuff, so feel free to touch on that too if you like)

First off we will see more established artists and establishments entering. With digital frames becoming commonplace in households and preferably more affordable. The rise of digital art and it’s value will only increase. People will start questioning the authenticity of what people display on their walls, just like they did in the paper and canvas days. (Is that really an original Alterlier you’ve got there? Or did you just download it?) 
NFTs are a lot more than art, it’s a proof of ownership. Think about it... everything that needs a document of authentication will be converted into a NFT in the near future. Your mortgage, the lease on your flat, car, washing machine you name it.  
It’ll be way easier for photographers, artists, writers and so on to prove their authenticity too. 
We might not notice, because it’ll all be going on in the background. But as the blocking technology evolves. It’ll gradually become a much bigger part of our daily life. 


I normally ask everyone whether they're a tea person or a coffee person. But just for a change - what's your go to if you're looking for something a bit stronger?

Coffee mate. 

When I go for something stronger, I do love a good bitter IPA. And if you wanna take it up a notch it’s whiskey. I particularly love Japanese brands like Nikka, but an all time favourite is Finlaggan Cask Strength.


Who are some other artists you think our readers should be checking out?

Oh my! Grace Almera, Dexamol, ZAKI, Simon Holmedal, Alterlier, Annibale Siconolfi, Nikolina Petolas and a million more. (just what I’ve got eyes on right now)


What music do you have on heavy rotation currently?

I’m a bit skitzo when it comes to music. There’s the 3 queens of Dua, TeyTey and Queen Bee, you can never go wrong with strong confident women. 
Then there’s the other side, heavy neurofunk, dark and techy Drum and Bass, drumfunk, Techno and load of load of tech house. 


Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Kristian!