Artists
Nicole Buffett is an artist, activist and holistic healer.
Nicole received her MFA from The San Francisco Art Institute with a focus on mixed media painting and has exhibited in national and international galleries since 2004.
Nicole’s work is deeply connected to the earth and utilizes the elements as a cornerstone in her process. She incorporates nature based foraged materials in her work ranging from pigments to medicinal herbs to plant-based paints and dyes. Nicole is deeply committed to the healing aspects of art and the ways in which regenerative agriculture, spirituality, community and art intersect. Nicole has appeared on a multitude of media platforms such as; Oprah, Marie Claire Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, NPR and Fortune magazine. Nicole lives and works on a family farm sanctuary in Ojai California.
When I painted the Dolphin Commemorative painting in honor of Molly Lavik’s late husband, I felt something bigger than me was occurring. To now have that piece utilized to support the dolphins of the Cocos islands working with The Open Earth Foundation, makes the idea that art changes the world not just a dream but a reality. I am honored to be a contributing artist for Ocean Drop.
My ocean spirit creature is a ?
As a student of the Duesseldorf Art Academy, studying painting under Dutch artist Jan Dibbets, the foundations of old-world European art-making and German Expressionism were the first building blocks of my art exploration. Obsessing over the vibrancy and juxtapositions of paint, I have cultivated color and light skills to create planet-inspired, expanded vistas for my artwork. Being a 22-year participant in the Los Angeles and Venice, CA art world, I have developed a unique and deep visual relationship with my coastal community. The nature and light of my neighborhood, the land I live on and water I swim in, affects my artistic expression with dream-like atmospheres. After years of making emotionally graphic paintings containing military objects and devastated landscapes, I developed an overwhelming desire for more energetically alive visions. This led to painting more futuristic, abstract, open pathways which reflect our present-day earthly resonance. This then morphed into an interesting self-imposed challenge to paint waves in a way that is the opposite of gimmicky, something that would feel new and captivating.
Over the years, while producing the Wave Series, this work has become a meditative, portal-like artistic and regenerative next step. With that came the discovery that painting waves is a more flexible metaphor than any of my previous painting subjects, as the experience of creating the many different versions of them takes me into an increasingly zoomed-out visualization of the land and water as cosmic entities. Almost without expecting it, some have the feeling of future climate-change portraits, as if channeled without direct control.
Launching my first NFT series with Ocean Drop brings all of these things full-circle. Donating the proceeds to the very waters that feed my artistic creativity inspires me while supporting the creation of a responsible path for traditional fine artists like me to participate in the digital media blockchain. I look forward to the connectivity that Open Earth Foundation will bring to ocean conservation efforts and believe deeply in our green (and blue!!) journey to the future.
Frentik was born in 1994 in Argentina. I’d been connected to digital technologies since I was a child, because my father was a software developer. Video games were also a primary inspiration for me. The idea of creating custom worlds inside other worlds took me to create my own virtual fantasies. I entered the NFT world looking for a way of showing my work where digital could remain digital. I quickly felt the necessity of making a community with my Argentinian colleagues, so I created CryptoArg, which is one of the biggest digital art communities nowadays. I'm also working on Game Diseased, my first collectibles projects with Milton Sanz and Oxeegen0.
I have a deep connection with the ocean. When I was a kid I was afraid of it, I think I still am. There’s something about the idea of immensity and the deepness that makes me feel scared. Where does it start and where does it end? What's underneath?
I feel meaningless and abyssed when I'm floating in the ocean. At the same time the water helped me a lot to deal with sleep paralysis and emotional issues. I used to fill my room with pots of water all around my bed and somehow that was very healing. I also dreamed a lot with the ocean when I was a kid and I still do. I think it is a very important and symbolic element in my life. Also, I’m a water sun, rising and moon sign too ?☀️ ?
I think it is really important to take care of our natural resources. We have only one planet to live on, so I'm glad to help somehow. It’s important to show that the NFTs can also have a positive environmental effect and that they can be used outside the individual interests as well ?
Frentik's ocean spirit animal is either an ? or a ?
My name is Anders Hjemdahl, and I am an American artist and creative technologist specializing in digital, XR and immersive experiences. Currently living steps from the Pacific in southern California, I was born in a coastal town close to the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden, partly grew up in Vietnam, and have a summer house with a panoramic view of the sea on a remote island in the middle of the Baltic Sea.
My natural habitat is the coast, the islands, and the littoral seas — my summers were spent exploring the vast, mostly unpopulated archipelagos of the Baltic Sea in our family’s boat. Every summer, we stayed out for weeks on end, exploring islands and skerries, laying nets in the bays to supply us with fish that we grilled on the beach under the midnight sun, enjoying the stillness of the blue evenings, the warm sun glittering on the sea, watching lightning storms, listening to the waves gently lapping against the wooden hull as they lulled us to sleep after my dad had read stories to us from books about life on (and underneath) the sea — Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and The Mysterious Island being my favorites. Sometimes I would wake up late at night and get to sit next to my dad as he navigated the waves, taking us to our next destination, or finding safe harbor from a storm.
Whether I’m out on the water riding the ocean swells surrounded by dolphins, or walking along the shore to clear my thoughts, find inspiration, or balance my energies, the ocean is something that I could never be without. It is part of me, and I am part of it. It is the eternal, the ultimate profundity.
The ocean is one of the main inspirations of my art — its awesome power, splendor, vastness, depth and mystery, both in the way we perceive it, its mysterious origin, its role as the origin of life on our planet, and in the strange, partly unexplained physical qualities of water itself.
I would be proud to play a small part in helping ensure that the ocean in all its majestic beauty and all its wondrous lifeforms will still be there, both for coming generations, and for its own sake.
Ander's ocean spirit animal would be an orca, exploring all the world’s oceans ?
Sven Eberwein (b. 1992, Stuttgart, Germany), based in Los Angeles.
After growing up with computers, software & Counter-Strike, Sven got exposed to the early crypto ecosystem during its first real growth period. He fell in love with it immediately and has stayed engaged ever since.
The key to Sven's work and his primary motivation is the realization that we shape the digital ecosystems & communities in which we live. Sven brings over ten years of experience in creative technology into his artistic practice.
Sven wanted to take part in OceanDrop because he says ``the ocean is the origin of all life on earth. Humanity should make a greater effort to protect the world's oceans.``
Sven's spirit of the ocean is a ?
With two very adventurous parents, since I was a kid the ocean has been present in life. My mom built a beautiful wooden house in the south Caribbean of Costa Rica, at the time it was a remote place were not many people from the city went to. Walking long hours at the beach and swimming at the ocean were part of my childhood. I was inevitably drawn to surfing. The openness and grandness of the ocean is mesmerizing and soothing. The ocean for me is a reminder of life’s mystery and beauty.
Giancarlo believes in the transformational power of photography. Together with his father and brother, he took the photos and published the book Magical Trees of Costa Rica, a best seller in that country. Seeking for a new perspective, Giancarlo took to the air with his brother, and after dozens of hours of flight and photography, the pair showed the world a Costa Rica never before depicted: a diverse country, full of contrasts. The best-selling book Costa Rica From Above reveals the profund interconnectedness of many social and ecological elements. Now the family runned Pucci Publishing is a pioneer B Corp in it’s country, and has been a Best for the World environmental nominee for three years.
He’s honored to Country Brand Ambassador for his home country Costa Rica.
For me photography is a vehicle of transformation, a window to connect people to themselves and nature. A reminder that we are not just in relation with nature, but we are part of it. One Drop/OpenEarth is a creative, purpose driven initiative, which values I feel aligned with. I’m happy and honored to contribute.
Giancarlo's ocean spirit creature is a manta ray
Kevin Mack is a pioneer of digital art, computer graphics and visual effects. Mack received the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for his work on WHAT DREAMS MAY COME (1998). He's also known for his work on FIGHT CLUB (1999), HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000), A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001), BIG FISH (2003), SPEED RACER (2008) and many other films.
Mack's artworks have been exhibited at art and technology events around the world. His most recent virtual reality project, Anandala is an official selection of the 2021 Venice Biennale of Cinema - VR section. Designed to inspire awe, engage the imagination, and enhance well being, Mack's work has been studied and used in therapeutic and medical applications.
Mack is inspired by transcendent visions, nature, and technology. His work is informed by research in a wide range of fields from neuroscience to artificial life.
The son of Disney artists, Mack grew up drawing, painting and sculpting. He attended Art Center College of Design, where he majored in Fine Art, Illustration and Film. After college, Mack supported his experimental art and music working in the film industry as a scenic artist, model maker, sculptor, concept artist, and matte painter for commercials and movies.
In 1986, Mack began exploring the virtual world of computer graphics as an artistic medium. Recognizing the computer's potential for film work, Mack helped pioneer the use of computer graphics for visual effects and became a creative leader in the development and application of digital art technologies. Mack began using artificial life, rule based systems, and emergence as tools in the creation of digital art and visual effects. Among the first to exploit the unique capabilities of 3D printing, Mack creates virtual sculptures that cannot be produced by any other means.
Mack's work in artificial life and rule based systems, used to grow the computer generated tree in WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, and inside of a human brain in FIGHT CLUB, inspired the development of tissue simulation software that was used for virtual stem cell research.
In 2006, Mack received the title of Honorary Neuroscientist from UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine for his talks there on perception and visualization. In 2007 he received an honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Art Center College of Design for his contributions to the field of motion picture visual effects. In 2012, Mack worked with physicists at CERN on the visualization of discoveries in particle physics.
With the arrival of commercial VR headsets in 2014, Mack turned his focus to creating and sharing his virtual reality artworks and speaking about virtual reality, art, and the future at related expos, conferences, and events. In addition to his VR works, Mack creates high resolution renderings that document the story of the Ancient Elders From The Distant Future that are the descendants of the artificial-life creatures of Anandala.
Mack's connection to the ocean -
``My parents loved the ocean and I was privileged to spend much of my childhood swimming and skin diving along the coast of southern California and at Catalina Island, where we frequently spent time on my parent's boat. I was profoundly awed and inspired by the incredible undersea life and environments I witnessed. In 1996, I was on location for The Island of Dr. Moreau in Cairns, Australia. During a filming hiatus, I went scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The experience was one of the most memorable and powerful experiences of my life. I've had several other incredible experiences diving in amazing locations including Maui and Kaui in Hawaii and Moorea and Bora Bora in Tahiti. The ocean and the life within it have always been a fundamental source of awe and inspiration for me and an important influence in my work.``
``I wanted to take part in Ocean Drop because I love the ocean and would very much like to help preserve and restore it.``
Kevin Mack's ocean spirit creature is an ?!
Mieke Marple is an artist and writer based in Los Angeles. She is interested in the intersection of mythology, power, and commerce through a feminist, social-emotional lens. She is creator of the Medusa Collection, a set of 10,000 NFTs that reframe the Medusa myth and raise funds for Steven Van Zandt's education non-profit TeachRock. Marple has been written about by The New York Times, W Magazine, The Guardian, among other publications. She has had recent solo exhibitions at Ever Gold `{`Projects`}` in SF and 1301PE in LA. Through various charity art auctions, she has helped raise over a million dollars for Planned Parenthood LA and a quarter million for Critical Resistance. Marple was also co-owner of Night Gallery, Los Angeles, 2011-16. She is represented by Ever Gold `{`Projects`}`.
``My partner and I have a small family cabin in Humboldt that is 100 ft away from the Pacific Ocean. That cabin is where I want to spend my last days. To me, the ocean, like the night sky, is a source of awe and humility—a visceral reminder of scales and scopes that far exceed me.``
I wanted to be a part of OceanDrop because I loved being a part of CarbonDrop and made some really good friends from it.
Mieke's ocean spirit creature would be something between a ? and a ?
I am a Swiss-born Media Artist (Basel,1975) with focus on XR. The mix of HipHop, Jazz and abstract painting are the cultural foundation that led me to photographing and video recording my artist friends from an early age.
Working for 14 years as a Flame (VFX) and Fine Art artist in Mexico City refined my cinematic storytelling and design skills. Mexico's creative effervescence and unique cultural configuration, combined with breathtaking natural treasures inspire me to dive deeply into the fabric of the ``Self``, igniting a line of artistic production that to the day has me catalyze and contemplate unexplored roles in contemporary reality. My immersive and interactive installation works -which mostly rely on analog principles, cameras and TVscreens- form part of several international collections and museums.
Since my arrival in Los Angeles (2014) my journey has organically taken me into the fast-evolving XR realm, where I found the conceptual means to use multidimensional story-telling, reassessment of time, spatial audio and interactive dependencies. Fully immersive experiences and simulations are now at reach, and, in their ideal form they transcend not only to inspiring levels of perception, but also allow deep collaborative developments.
Regardless of the fact that I grew up in a country without an ocean, water in all its forms (``the Unified Field``) always called my attention. To the date water is the element my dreams are made of.
I forged a deep bond with the Ocean in my early childhood and practiced to hold my breath weeks before our summer vacation, so I could stay in the underwater world for longer and dive deep, contemplate Ocean life, reefs and movements. I remember very well that whatever trash I spotted in the water made me furious, an emotion that still gets me when I see human neglect causing turmoil in the system that sustains our lives. In 2018 I crossed the Pacific by sailboat, trawling for Microplastics in uncharted waters, a mission that did not just strengthen my bond with water, but also showed me clearly that we have to take action and change our behavior for the sake of our future generations.
The time is overdue to widen awareness about the fragile conditions of our Oceans. We have to come up with outstanding solutions quickly in order to preserve the perfect balance the sea normally holds.
Virtual Reality is not only allowing us to immersively contemplate how we are all an intrinsic part of ``the unified field``, but also boost our imagination of how we can revert the fatal impact of humanity on our oceans. NFTs represent an amazing opportunity to venture into a more regenerative future, and It is a true honor to be of service with my creative output to raise (decentralized and transparently structured) funds for OceanDrop,
I would be a bioluminescent Octopus (my first Open Dive I landed on my knees on the Oceanground and an Octopus welcomed me right in front of me) ?
Kyle Gordon is an award winning multidisciplinary artist, creative director, experiential designer, and entrepreneur. His work is heavily influenced by his love of music, organic patterns, contemporary art, life adventures, anime, and community.
Kyle has spent the better part of the last decade creating audiovisual experiences, multidimensional video installations, brand identities, projection experiments, and animated content for internationally acclaimed and Grammy nominated musicians, music and cultural festivals, social entrepreneurship & nonprofit organizations, and globally recognized brands. Through his digital art practice and the various art-centric blockchain projects, Kyle has been exploring various ways of creating and curating via community activation and collaboration.
Currently, Kyle is the Co-Founder, Head of Creative Strategy, and Curator at DoinGud, an NFT ecosystem empowering creators, collectors, curators, and communities to do good by aligning with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Through DoinGud, Kyle is helping build more accessible, sustainable, and future proof tools for creators, communities, brands, social causes, and curators to tap into the world of NFTs while generating positive impact from their work.
To me, the ocean has always been something very vast and complex, definitely a lot more than a large body of blue water. It’s almost like this other world where a wide array of life, creatures, and forms thrive, and it’s so much more intricate than what we’re used to on land. I know we’re always searching for foreign life forms in space, but to me, some of these alien life forms exist in our back yard, they’re our neighbors. The ocean represents a lot of things that we do know, but also contains so much information that we still haven’t uncovered, especially deep within its depths. It’s this marvelous expanse that is so full of wonder and mystery, and I think it’s important that we continue to preserve and research what it has to offer our world.
Simply put, I wanted to take part in the OceanDrop because I care about our planet. The ocean makes up around 71% of the Earth’s surface, so protecting and preserving it is paramount considering it is represents the majority of the Earth as we know it. Raising awareness to threats that negatively impact this massive body of water is something I feel is super important, education is everything and action is needed yesterday to help preserve the ocean of tomorrow. I feel fortunate to be able to support this cause through my art, and hopefully encourage others to use creativity to solve major issues happening within the world.
If I was an ocean creature I would definitely be a Colossal Squid ??? They’re just super badass, I’m very fascinated by deep sea creatures that use bioluminescence, and since they’re so massive, I probably wouldn’t have to worry as much about falling prey to some other creature down in the ocean’s depths.
Produced in the 90’s and growing up with Thunderbirds and Power Rangers. Couldn’t get any better then that. Started off doodling on an Apple Lisa and ended up making signatures for forums. Now every day is spent trying to improve my craft.
Even though the ocean is just a giant mass of water, it can take so many forms, say so many things all with the same few ingredients. Everyone takes it for granted and that’s exactly what makes it precious.
Taking part in OceanDrop meant a chance to make a small difference for an already bleak future. My hope is it will inspire some others to do the same and disprove my innate cynicism.
Gilles spirit ocean creature is a ?
Will Selviz revisits his roots for inspiration to bring ideas and concepts to life through immersive media technologies. He was born in Venezuela, grew up in Kuwait and moved to Canada in 2013, where he went to OCAD University and specialized in 3D animation, branding, and entrepreneurship. After graduating, he founded RENDRD Media and RENDRD Foundation, with the aim of providing employment opportunities and educating BIPOC youth in creative industries.
``I deeply identify with the Oceans and Seas as I was born in the Caribbean. Venezuela has some of the most beautiful beaches in every coast. Growing up in Kuwait I lived walking distance from the Mediterranean sea, and living in Vancouver I could always see the Pacific ocean from my window. Most of my childhood memories are family vacations to the beach and hanging out with friends by the docks. In fact, my only tattoo in the moment is an abstract piece that reminds me of the meditative state I tap into when I listen to the ocean.
As someone who grew up in the Caribbean and in Latin-American communities, I feel like it is my duty to preserve its rareness and beauty. Having the opportunity to do so through my passion and industry is a no-brainer. I believe in initiatives and projects that tap into the power of creative collaboration and community to achieve a common goal. This is why I chose to be a part of OceanDrop!``
If I was an ocean creature I'd definitely be an electric eel ⚡ It still blows my mind that they produce and conduct electricity under water.
I am a self taught digital collage artist based in Los Angeles, CA. I have been making collages since I was 12 years old, and absolutely love the medium -- there's something about making collages that feels so good to me; creating a new world out of slivers and slices of a pre-existing world has always been my favorite form of visual self-expression. Art serves as a form of therapy for me -- I can process and 'get through' my emotions by feeling through them as I create a piece of art, and I feel like those emotions get 'stored' in the piece.
I am a scuba diver, so the ocean is a vast universe for me. Most people look out into the ocean and only see endless waves on the horizon, but going underwater opens up an entire world of independent ecosystems, colors, species, and life. The ocean is an entirely different world that many earth-dwellers do not get to experience. I am so grateful that I am connected and appreciate the underwater world.
It's important to me to give back to the world that houses us. I also believe that anyone with a platform has a responsibility to shed light on issues that affect all of us, and to do things that benefit everyone as best we can. Given the false information being spread about NFTs, I believe it's partially my responsibility to give back to help Mother Earth.
``I really love deep sea wranglers. I enjoy the way they look, they are pretty self sufficient, and the female wranglers absolve the males to mate -- I think that's pretty metal.`` - POSTWOOK on their spirit ocean creature!
Taranveer Singh is a multidisciplinary 3D Motion Director & Designer from India. My design approach is to visually translate the enigmatic concepts and narratives to enduring cinematic experiences. Beside creatively serving the big brands in the advertising industry for over 7 years, I have been working on various intriguing concept art series including social topics like Gender Inequality, women oppression, mental health, environment and many more.
``As a kid born in the mountain regin, ocean was something I only dreamt of. And I believe being a visual person since the young age I have been connected with my dreams way more than the reality. I have always seen the ocean way above a means of resource or a thing of nature but as an abstract art with a reflection. And one perceives it in their own way and with their own unique narrative.``
``At the age of around 8 I won my first ever painting competition and my artwork was on the theme of Plastic Usage and how it is affecting the oceans. And when I got to know about the OceanDrop that was the first thing which came to my mind and I guess that was enough for me to join the list.``
If I was an ocean creature I'd definitely be a Turtle. I just feel it ?
I’m an artist and composer based in Northern New Mexico. I’ve been making art with computers for more than 20 years to expand my interests in the nature of immateriality, multidimensional space, and being.
I like to think of the ocean as a fast-shifting inverted mountain range, where we float at its base and dive towards its summit. It’s one of the most mysterious and sublime bodies in our solar system, it gave us life.
I greatly admire Open Earth’s efforts towards sustainability and carbon accountability. Their latest endeavor in developing monitoring technologies to protect marine life is incredibly important, and being able to contribute to this, is an honor. It’s exciting for artists to be given the opportunity to make an impact in the world in ways that extend beyond the work they make. I appreciate Open Earth creating this opportunity for us.
My spirit ocean creature is a Mimic Octopus! ?
I’m a Digital Collage Hologram Artist exploring new ways to view NFTs that lift off of flat device screens to enter the physical space as holograms. During my 20 year career, I’ve my work was awarded artist grants co-sponsored by The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation, The Joan Mitchell Foundation, The Andrew Mellon Foundation, The Ford Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropic.
Living in FL, I’m surrounded by the water- still, calm, and beautiful most of the time; turbulent, uncertain, and risky during times of hurricanes. A juxtaposition which parallels life at large.
When we go to the beaches we witness the consequences of human activity on ocean creatures, it’s vital that we thwart those effects through conscious decision making to offset the damage that’s been done while changing our daily habits to prevent damage in the future. It’s an honor to donate a piece for OceanDrop and provide funding towards positive real world impact that can keep aquatic environments safe for species facing peril.
If I could be an ocean creature I'd be a manta ray!
My name is Popil, a Chinese Artist and Animator, and Interested in 3d and AR!
Born in 1985 in Guangzhou, China, Popil is an independent cross-media illustrator and animator. As an artist, she possesses skills that run the gamut from sketching and painting to digital design, augmented reality, 3D mapping, and more. Still, through the years she has used illustration as her foremost discipline. Her eclectic style encompasses a variety of techniques, utilizing vibrant colors to create eye-catching designs and characters including her iconic girl “Letter girls .” Mastery of these techniques has enabled her to rise to a point where her creations have become a source of influence to others and a true North indicator of China’s new directions in illustration.
Her work is familiar to many through her work with global brands. Her works often appear in fashion design, product design, commercial illustrations, exhibitions, animation festivals, etc. She has seven books published in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Beginning in 2021, her NFTs exploded in OpenSea, Foundation, and Hicetnunc. Her unique personal style in AR and animated NFT works have captured the attention of collectors. She has been featured on multiple platforms such as OpenSea, Procreate, and SketchAR, Instagram, and Twitter. Popil is an Opensea verified Artist and an active OpenSea Discord moderator, where she helps the growing OpenSea creator community take their work to the next level.
Popil is a founder of the “Creative Family`` Discord and YouTube Channel. She also runs the “Animated Reality” and “Asian Creative Family” clubs on Clubhouse. has a passion for building a better community to help Asian Artists. Popil is committed to combining NFT platforms and artists, providing tutorials and information, encouragement, and spotlights to help artists start creating NFTs and develop portfolios.
Popil currently resides in Massachusetts. Popil is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education program in animation
Part of Popil's creation is always inspired by the ocean. ''I like diving in the ocean. The underwater world always brings me unlimited inspiration and colors.''
She wanted to join OceanDrop to use her creativity to protect the ocean.
Popil's ocean creature would be a ?! She loves dolphins!
~From Paul and Cristina~
While we both grew up in very different parts of the world — Paul in the Canadian arctic and me in the mountains of Mexico — we found our way to the sea, first through marine biology and then through photography. We've spent our careers as storytellers, using stunning visual imagery and compelling personal stories to move people, and we've seen firsthand how storytelling can turn apathy into action. We know that building connection through storytelling is the key to unlocking critical climate action in this decade.
Whether on assignment with National Geographic, through the formation of the International League of Conservation Photographers, or through the founding of SeaLegacy and Only One, we've spent decades working to protect marine wildlife and ecosystems. We continue to scale up our work through the Only One Collective, leveraging visual storytelling content and digital engagement tactics to build a massive base of support for ocean conservation and climate action.
As part of this work, we have been living aboard our production catamaran, the SeaLegacy 1, as we travel the globe to connect with the local leaders, scientists, and innovators who develop and implement critical solutions. We’re working to ensure that key changemakers get the audience and the investment that they need to drive serious ocean impact.
The ocean is our largest and most important ecosystem. Life on Earth is not possible without a living ocean. We’ve spent our lives collecting and sharing the ocean’s stories and helping others understand just how critical the ocean is to the health of our planet, to our lives, and to our communities — no matter how far from the coast we might be. There is hardly a day that goes by that Paul and I aren't out on the water, exploring the world below that thin blue line, or advocating for ocean conservation.
We’re doing our part to create a livable planet for future generations, and for us, that means using our art and our voices to bring more people into the work of ocean conservation. There’s so much hope and potential in this work. When people recognize that the ocean isn’t just a victim of climate change, but our path forward — the results are powerful.
We know that radical collaboration can unlock change for our ocean and climate in this decade, so we’re always looking for new ways to connect with people who want to be a part of the solution. We believe that the OceanDrop community has an important role to play in investing in the health of our ocean and planet, and that web3 offers exciting opportunities to grow the global ocean audience and give them a voice in this fight for our planet. We’re excited for this chance to share our confidence that we can see real change in our lifetimes.
This is a tough one. There are so many amazing ocean creatures, and we love them all.
For Paul, it's the polar bear. They are the only bears considered marine mammals, and like us, they depend on the ocean for their food and habitat. They were such a big part of Paul's early career, and I know he feels a kindred connection to them.
For me, I will say the sperm whale. I have seldom spent time with more intelligent, aware, and sociable creatures. Their history at the hands of the whaling industry is heartbreaking, but I believe sharing their stories can help protect their future. Their keen senses, adaptations, and abilities are almost otherworldly. Imagine what we can learn from an animal that can dive several miles to hunt in the dark!
While we both grew up in very different parts of the world — Paul in the Canadian arctic and me in the mountains of Mexico — we found our way to the sea, first through marine biology and then through photography. We've spent our careers as storytellers, using stunning visual imagery and compelling personal stories to move people, and we've seen firsthand how storytelling can turn apathy into action. We know that building connection through storytelling is the key to unlocking critical climate action in this decade.
Whether on assignment with National Geographic, through the formation of the International League of Conservation Photographers, or through the founding of SeaLegacy and Only One, we've spent decades working to protect marine wildlife and ecosystems. We continue to scale up our work through the Only One Collective, leveraging visual storytelling content and digital engagement tactics to build a massive base of support for ocean conservation and climate action.
As part of this work, we have been living aboard our production catamaran, the SeaLegacy 1, as we travel the globe to connect with the local leaders, scientists, and innovators who develop and implement critical solutions. We’re working to ensure that key changemakers get the audience and the investment that they need to drive serious ocean impact.
The ocean is our largest and most important ecosystem. Life on Earth is not possible without a living ocean. We’ve spent our lives collecting and sharing the ocean’s stories and helping others understand just how critical the ocean is to the health of our planet, to our lives, and to our communities — no matter how far from the coast we might be. There is hardly a day that goes by that Paul and I aren't out on the water, exploring the world below that thin blue line, or advocating for ocean conservation.
We’re doing our part to create a livable planet for future generations, and for us, that means using our art and our voices to bring more people into the work of ocean conservation. There’s so much hope and potential in this work. When people recognize that the ocean isn’t just a victim of climate change, but our path forward — the results are powerful.
We know that radical collaboration can unlock change for our ocean and climate in this decade, so we’re always looking for new ways to connect with people who want to be a part of the solution. We believe that the OceanDrop community has an important role to play in investing in the health of our ocean and planet, and that web3 offers exciting opportunities to grow the global ocean audience and give them a voice in this fight for our planet. We’re excited for this chance to share our confidence that we can see real change in our lifetimes.
This is a tough one. There are so many amazing ocean creatures, and we love them all.
For Paul, it's the polar bear. They are the only bears considered marine mammals, and like us, they depend on the ocean for their food and habitat. They were such a big part of Paul's early career, and I know he feels a kindred connection to them.
For me, I will say the sperm whale. I have seldom spent time with more intelligent, aware, and sociable creatures. Their history at the hands of the whaling industry is heartbreaking, but I believe sharing their stories can help protect their future. Their keen senses, adaptations, and abilities are almost otherworldly. Imagine what we can learn from an animal that can dive several miles to hunt in the dark!
DJ Swagrman's story is a combination of perseverance and light as it comes from his special relationship with Swaggy Wolfdog.
Since he was 11 years old, DJ Swagrman had a great passion for being a DJ and photographer, unfortunately his low resources prevented him from realizing that dream. A friend of DJ Swagrman recommended that he adopt a dog that would soon be euthanized in the kennel. He decided to adopt a puppy to help him with his depression and feel accompanied, what he did not know was how Swaggy would change his life.
Swagrman had a habit of uploading videos on Tik Tok and usually uploaded them together with the dog. For a period of three years ``DJ Swagrman`` took on the character of a dog, transforming the social phenomenon known as ``Swaggy Wolfdog``.
The meeting of DJ Swagrman and Swaggy has been a great discovery of the purpose in their lives: to create incredible music and fight for the rights of animals worldwide. He plans to use his platform to entertain the world via Latin and EDM music, building a chain of dog shelters starting with Mexico.
Currently DJ Swagrman is part of the charitable organization ``Life of Miracles`` (Life of Miracles) where dogs are rescued from all over Central America. The organization believes that every dog deserves a house full of love forever. https://lifeofmiracles.org
There is no doubt that Swagrman comes full of surprises and opens us to a world full of imagination and creativity, always with a message of improvement and survival.
I am a multi-disciplinary artist that have been working with art & technology and digital medium since the late 80s.
I would like to believe we evolved from the ocean- its the breath of the earth, tide and waves. I wanted to join OceanDrop because I care about the environment and this is a community that holds the same sense of mission that I would like to collaborate with.
If I were a sea creature I'd be a Jellyfish (cus I have no spine lol) ?
I am a Miami Ecopreneur and Financier. Lover of the ocean. Regenerative revolutionary reengineering the global financial system for towards regenerative stewardship. Multidisciplinary enthusiast passionate about education and innovation. Surfer, scuba diver, swimmer, sailor.
My entire life has been by the beach, Miami, Nicaragua, Hong Kong, Peru, Cuba; and feel most fulfilled when in the ocean. If not on the water, in the water, or underwater; but always with the water!
I've witnessed how commercial fishing has changed the coasts of Florida and the Caribbean, and how artisanal fishing in Central America, like Nicaragua and Costa Rica; using dynamite to catch more fish because they don't earn enough (for lots of different reasons including currency exchange ); and end up with their biospheres in shambles right now... there are very little economic alternatives for those families that grew up fishing,
Logos Blue Economy Foundation is actively seeking to integrate solutions for the oceans, and to support those oceanpreneurs with all the resources they need to implement their solutions at scale through Digital Blue Bonds (DIBs).
OceanDrop is helping solve for a number of my professional pursuits of quantifying impact and protecting critical biospheres in the world. Central America, an often overlooked region where I've grown up; is going to be preserved along with all the endangered species in a modern tech forward approach I would love to scale further OceanDrop/Open Earth Foundation are solving for critical parts of updating the global accounting system to account for natural capital assets.
The people involved in it are all empathetic geniuses that will likely steward the capital responsibly while solving critical climate issues inclusively.
Albino Dolphin ! others would say, octopus.... Some people mistake my last name in spanish from ``Pupo`` to ``Pulpo`` which translates to octopus. lol ? ?
I have grown up on the rivers and lakes of southern Louisiana, artistically inspired by the spirits of the cypress trees and the ebbs and flows of the winding bends of bayou waters. I work with color and light to translate stories through form and shape, speaking towards Beautiful Futures that are seeded in the heart of the mind when inspired, creating art to inspire humanity to dream a better future for herself and the Living Planet that we steward. Inspiring beings into co-creating Beauty within this Immersive experience we call Life.
Mother Oshun, life provider and sustainer, deep mystery and emotional body of One drop that is Unified across all lands, within our bodies, and cycling through the atmosphere. The Water cycle has always fascinated me, the poetry of all waters leading to the ocean, the raindrops atop the mountains making their way to the sea. I like to think of only one drop of water existing within which we all live, water as the connector of all things together. The Ocean is full of so many beautiful species vital to our planet and evolution of humanity. A home to the whales who sing in deep resonancy programming our waters with their tones. Water holds memory, and is programmable with our word, it is an ancient medicine.
It is an honor for me to offer my artistry and creative energy towards generating impactful environmental and humanitarian missions, it is a joy for me to create and an even greater joy that those creations inspire and support regenerative efforts and have the ability to affect change.
I have a few answers ! I think for my emoji if there was one, I would like to be a white baby seal, actually more mystically they are referred to as Silkies. Part seal and part human, magical healing celtic beings. I have a mermaid for a spirit guide. I have deep reverence for Blue Whales and dolphins. I also love sea otters and seahorses! ? ?♀️ ? ?
Creator of the Triton NFT
The Triton NFT represents protecting the sea and doing what is in our power to help. Triton was a merman and demigod of the sea who lived in a golden palace in the depths. He was able to raise the tides or calm the seas by blowing in his conch shell; he now is a guardian of OceanDrop. The Triton NFT is a symbol for those who want to help protect the ocean! By collecting a Triton, you not only become an OceanDrop guardian but a guardian of Earth’s ocean. Proceeds from Triton will go towards better management and protection of the ocean through the Open Earth Foundation’s marine conservation initiative; OpenOcean.
Dropping on DoinGud ? ?
