In my small studio in Tehran, surrounded by canvases, brushes, and a spectrum of colors, I once believed my path as an artist was traditional: exhibiting my work in galleries, finding private collectors, and slowly building recognition. My art, inspired by Iran's rich cultural history, reflected a deep connection to the physical world—brushstrokes on canvas, tangible and rooted in tradition. But as the digital world grew around me, something unexpected crossed my path—NFTs (non-fungible tokens), and my career took a surprising turn.

The concept of NFTs was completely foreign to me at first. Digital art was something I admired but never thought would be part of my journey. The idea of selling digital versions of my work, where ownership and provenance were permanently recorded on the blockchain, felt far from the hands-on creativity I loved. Yet, as an artist who finds joy in exploring new horizons, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the idea of NFTs giving artists more control and visibility—especially on a global scale.

It all started one evening while scrolling through social media, when I came across discussions about NFTs. People were talking about how artists could mint their digital works, sell them directly to collectors, and even earn royalties from future resales—something nearly unheard of in the traditional art world. Curious, I decided to learn more, though I was hesitant to dive in right away.

For the next few weeks, I absorbed everything I could. I watched tutorials, consulted tech-savvy friends, and explored NFT platforms. At first, the process of minting an NFT seemed overwhelming. Cryptocurrency, blockchain, gas fees—all of it felt like a foreign language. But I was determined, and after much deliberation, I decided to give it a try.

My first piece was a digital reinterpretation of Persian miniatures with a modern twist. After uploading it onto a popular NFT marketplace, I waited. I had no grand expectations—it was my first step into this unknown space. To my surprise, within a few days, people began noticing my work. Bids started coming in from collectors I had never imagined reaching. When the piece eventually sold, it was for an amount far beyond what I had earned from traditional gallery sales.

Encouraged by this success, I minted more NFTs—each one telling a story rooted in my heritage, blending traditional Persian elements with contemporary digital techniques. The income from these sales was significant, but more importantly, I realized I was at the forefront of something that gave artists like me, from countries like Iran, a chance to reach the world without limitations.

Today, I advocate for NFTs among my peers, encouraging other Iranian artists to explore this new digital frontier. NFTs have transformed my understanding of what it means to be an artist in the 21st century, opening doors I never thought possible. For me, they represent more than just financial success—they’ve created a global platform where my art can speak to new audiences, unrestricted by geography or convention.

Thanks for reading about my journey to the digital world,goodluck on yours