In the ever-evolving landscape of online creatives, TikTok and Snapchat are yesterday's news. Today, a new generation of young artists are making waves with their digital art. With the emergence of cutting-edge technology and creative platforms, such as Sketchpad and Adobe, coupled with IPFS, these talented youngsters are exploring new realms of artistic expression.

Let us introduce you to Alaric Whitfield, a remarkable 12-year-old artist who has become one of Pinata's youngest users. His story is not just inspiring; it's a testament to the boundless potential that exists within the younger generation. Alaric's journey into the world of digital art began at the tender age of 7.  Alaric's parents spotted his remarkable talent and passion for digital art early on, and they decided to nurture it by gifting him a digital art tablet for Christmas.

”I like how easy the tablet is to use.  If I make a mistake, it’s simple to fix,” he said. “It also makes it easier to share my art with my friends.  I really love making digital art on my tablet.  My favorite thing is making stop motion videos and flip books.  Before I got into digital art, I was using notecards and a light pad.  The tablet makes it so much easier!”

Alaric draws his creative energy from a unique blend of video games and TV shows. His willingness to study the art of others is a testament to his curiosity and commitment to continuous learning. “I like studying other people’s art. It gives me great ideas and I am always learning new things.”

Recently, Alaric decided to step into the world of NFTs. With some guidance from his big brother, Varik, he swiftly mastered the art of utilizing IPFS to take his creations to the next level. “I already had the MediBang software, which is what I use to create my designs,” he said. “I just needed a way to get them onto the IPFS network so that I could eventually mint them as NFTs. Pinata was really easy! I signed up for a free account and didn’t need any help figuring it out. I got my designs uploaded right away.”

I’m just a kid, so I don’t have a lot of money. I like that Pinata had a free plan.

We asked Alaric what advice he would give to other kids interested in getting into digital art. He responded, "It's a rough beginning, but once you get into it and start producing and putting your designs out there, it should be smooth sailing. Everyone's taste and style in art is different, so you should always draw what you like to draw. No matter what, you'll find people who like your work. So, just have fun!”

Alaric said that his ultimate goal in getting into the NFT market would be to broaden his network. “I want a bigger audience,” he said. “Also, it would be really fun to be able to make some money. Although, I really just want more people to see my art and enjoy it.”

   Artwork by Alaric Whitfield 2023

We inquired about Alaric's vision for his future. He shared, “when I grow up, I really want to be doing something where I can be creative, I just don’t know what yet. I have so many options! I love drawing and building new things, but I’m also excited about science and math. Right now, I’m really into modding (games) and building a social media platform with my friends. It’s a way for us to share our digital art with each other and give each other feedback and ideas. But, as far as what I want to be when I grow up, I still have a lot of time to figure that out.”

The entire Pinata Team wholeheartedly extends our support to Alaric! His passion, dedication, and fearless embrace of cutting-edge technology is not only defining the future of creative expression for the younger generation but also fills us with immense pride and we’re thrilled to be a part of his remarkable journey.