After a brief hiatus from my studio I’m getting back to work on this piece, tentatively titled “Heart of Bitcoin.”
This is my first torso, and the hands will be pulling the chest open to reveal the Bitcoin symbol where the heart would normally be.
Working in Carrara marble with pneumatic chisels, grinders, and hand tools.. 
Wine snob 
Today’s reminder that you don’t change Bitcoin; Bitcoin changes you: 
Mindfulness. Mantra repetition. And I consider aspects of my sculpture process to be meditation when I’m in a flow state.
If you’re looking to get started I’d recommend guided meditations from Jack Kornfield or Sri Swami Satchidananda. I started with stuff from them years ago and eventually just developed a practice that works for me. 
An homage to Satoshi in Carrara marble, “Cryptic Gaze” features the iconic Guy Fawkes mask with my version of the "Mona Lisa Effect," whereby the eyes appear to follow the viewer.
Available now at VonBitcoinArt.com 
HAPPY BITCOIN INFINITY DAY!
♾️/21M=1/🤡🌎 
Bitcoin Art Update⚒️
I wanted to hollow out the eyes to give more contrast and I stumbled upon a new technique. New to me at least.
The effect is that the eyes follow you and I was able to achieve different “colors” for the cornea and pupil by varying the depth and therefore the level of shadow.
I like to think Satoshi is out there somewhere, watching hyperbitcoinization play out. So now in my sculpture at least, he is..
What do you all think? https://video.nostr.build/d78257c9b043ce22047862ebd2cb4a43285b95f980959dab1bd3f95d99f5d9d1.mp4
Beauty is the sunrise in a drop of dew, the fragile ray of light through the verdant canopy, the unfurling of spring in a tender flower.
Art, however noble, is but a feeble attempt to capture those fleeting moments and all the attendant memories and emotions therein. 
Started a new slate lettering project.
VIRES IN NUMERIS
Here’s a timelapse carving the letter R
R is fun to carve, but it’s also one of the more complicated and time consuming letters. It has curves, straight sections, triple intersections.. it’s a great showcase for v cut lettering.
For reference this letter took about 35-40 minutes. https://nostr.build/av/c9177b0b4a43eb976fa3075eb176bff111948ca5b36261f40f167467e23770fc.mov
“You either make dust, or eat dust.”
-H. Jackson Brown Jr. https://nostr.build/av/e7a3e5aa829fa96241575af29efb0b4145f412e1034fd8cbf98cea66dadd50b1.mov
It’s amazing how Bitcoin can change you if you open yourself up to that change.
I’m heading off grid tomorrow for an 8 day sculpting symposium in the mountains of Colorado.. 🌲🏔️☀️
2 lectures a day and the rest of the time spent outdoors, working on a new sculpture.⚒️
I’ve considered myself an artist for a long time, but it was only when I became a Bitcoiner and lowered my time preference that I seriously considered learning to work in stone.
Bitcoin is so much more than just a monetary revolution. The promise of a world built on sound money allows us all to think long term, to improve ourselves, and in so doing, the world around us.
I’ll be taking photos and videos while I’m gone, but I’m going to try to disconnect from the craziness of the world as best I can… see all you amazing Bitcoiners when I get back.✌️ 
Two steps forwards, one step back..
I’m going to have to dig deeper into the marble, essentially shifting the pinky, ring, and middle fingers back in order to make the positioning of the forefinger accurate. Luckily I gave myself plenty of extra stone to be able to do this.
This wasn’t a mistake per se, but something I knew I was going to have to do eventually. But this is what happens when you’re attempting to carve directly into the stone rather than use a pointing machine or even basic measurement tools.😂 For my next figurative sculpture I’m definitely going to learn how to properly tackle this aspect of the process. 
Great top of funnel NOSTR write-up in Forbes from nostr:npub1akngghxzy6d75y8szp6y44u5pxktwy5aj6zh6jl3ncp8d93fj2fq5mfxa8.
Check it out and share with family and friends! #grownostr
Made a little bit of progress tonight, mostly working on the thumb, forefinger and the surrounding area. Stay tuned for more updates..⚒️ 
I’ve been procrastinating on this piece because of how difficult it’s been and I’ve been worried about making a mistake. But that’s a mistake in itself.
Forced myself back into the studio last night and ended up making some great progress.
I’m tentatively calling this piece “Rebirth,” and it’s inspired by my Bitcoin journey and the many other people whose lives have been changed by Bitcoin. I’ve carved the hand in the “Gyan Mudra” or the “Mudra of Wisdom or Knowledge,” and eventually I will separate the thumb and forefinger to hold an Opendime. The background of the piece is still up the air, but I am leaning towards carving a lotus flower, and having the hand emerging from a water like surface.
Stay tuned for more updates. 🤙 
Free speech artwork on a free speech platform. Nearly done..⚒️
For this project I took my inspiration from George Carlin’s “7 words you can’t say on TV.” I wanted to make a statement on the nature of free speech and the ridiculousness of censorship in general. And I just thought it would be hilarious to carve “Profane” words in such a traditionally formal way. These words are hand carved in salvaged slate, and the small lettering proved to be a huge challenge and learning experience.
I’m still deciding whether I’ll gild the letters, but it may not need it. I still need to finish honing the final surface and touch up some of the letters.
More updates and artwork to come!🙌 
Finished this letter carving recently. Thinking my next one will be nostr themed… ideas?
