Woman with a Parasol –
Madame Satoshi and the Whitepaper
Inspired by the work of Claude Monet and the painting "Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son", a reinterpretation with reference to the relationship between Bitcoin and the current financial system, represented by the BIS (Bank for International Settlements).
I started drawing with ballpoint pens some time ago and I've been making small drawings for a year now. This time I wanted to create a large artwork, an impressive drawing that I would only make with black ballpoint pens. My idea was to give Claude Monet's impressionist work a different, more serious tone. My interpretation of his work is intended to symbolise our current financial system. In my interpretation of the artwork, the sunny meadow landscape has been replaced by a swamp, with a bleak, lifeless wasteland in the background. I have replaced the bright blue sky with an a storm. Madame Satoshi is holding a protective umbrella, representing the positive characteristics of Bitcoin. She is holding a letter, which is actually the Bitcoin whitepaper. It looks as if she has read a goodbye letter, the farewell letter of the current financial system. She is ready for the future. That's what her determined, deeply touched expression says. She is holding a book with the Bitcoin symbol on her hip. Maybe it's her diary, maybe it's a guide.
The BIS (Bank for International Settlements) building is in the background. I live in Basel and see the building every day. Sometimes I wonder what the people on the high floors above us think about Bitcoin. It's a self-declared elite that goes in and out of there. Bitcoin is the tool to break up this self-crowning. In my artwork, the BIS tower is being caught up in the storm. The perfect storm called Bitcoin.
01
The beginning
To begin with, I drew the first rough shapes and elements with a pencil. Then I painted on a little water-soluble gouache paint as a base for very dark areas. Since I make my drawings with a ballpoint pen, large dark areas are not easy to hatch.
The gray-white base makes it a little easier to achieve the overall lighting mood.
02
The first steps
Once the picture had the basic tonality, I started the main work. As it was my first time drawing such a large picture, and only with ballpoint pens, I had to create a new drawing setup.
Large pictures are impressive, but you shouldn't underestimate the logistical effort involved.
03
Starting with Madame Satoshi
I started the drawing with the most important and most difficult part of the artwork. The expression on Madame Satoshi's face should illustrate the pain, but also the willingness and hope for the upcoming change. She has read the letter, or white paper, and is taking courage for the future.
04
Various detail levels
I love details and enjoy playing with the depth of detail in pictures. As it is a large picture, I have created the greatest depth of detail in Madame Satoshi's figure. Other areas in the picture, such as the sky, I finished with larger, more dynamic strokes.
05
The drawing process
90% of my drawing time I had to use a flat table for the pens to work optimally. That's the difficulty with large ballpoint pen artworks.
06
Half the way
As I draw alongside my work, the entire drawing process took several months. In October, I visited the PlanB conference in Lugano, Switzerland, and was able to recharge my batteries for the artwork.
07
The sky was the most fun
Finally, I drew the sky. My drawing style results from dynamic, self-similar and repetitive patterns. For me, this part of drawing is more meditation than artistic work. I really enjoy this part and find the most flow
08
Cadmium orange
I find it so fascinating that Bitcoin is represented by so many artists in so many different artistic ways. I love to bring the cadmium orange into my black and white images. It's the color that brings Bitcoin to life.
Ballpoint pens are underestimated tools, just like Bitcoin.
I love it when people ask me: Was that only created with a ballpoint pen? Yes, almost. Pens are useful tools that are used in everyday life, hardly anyone would think of using them as an artistic tool. Yet this small little tool creates a distinctive, sharp, high-contrast look and is versatile. Bitcoin is also underestimated by most, yet it covers so many fascinating topics ranging from finance to psychology.
An overview of the entire drawing process
Woman with a Parasol –
Madame Satoshi and the Whitepaper
Inspired by the work of Claude Monet and the painting "Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son", a reinterpretation with reference to the relationship between Bitcoin and current financial system, represented by the BIS (Bank for International Settlements).Inspired by the work of Claude Monet and the painting Woman with a Parasol - Madame Monet and Her Son, a reinterpretation with reference to the relationship between Bitcoin and current financial system, represented by the BIS (Bank for International Settlements).
If you are interested in the original, please contact me via mail
Please note that the original artwork will not be available for purchase until 2025
The original:
Size: 80cm width x 120 cm height
Paper: Clairefontaine Dessin fine 250 g/m²
Ballpoint pen: Caran d'Ache 825 Black
Color: Caran d'Ache Gouache ECO Black + Orange fluorescent
Picture frame: 100cm width x 140 cm height
Aluminum frame Econ angular gold matt Art glass (anti-reflective)
White passepartout
Current location: Studio The Great Print in Basel
Erlenmattstrasse 55, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
