The Great Bitcoin Wave
Bitcoin is the wave of our time. The wave, a powerful and majestic symbol, represents Bitcoin's growing dominance over the outdated financial system. The first wave has already hit, but a much larger one is still on the horizon. As Bitcoin evolves into the global standard, its blockchain will become the foundation for all digital information. The waves of adaptation are inevitable. I am certain of this.
This artwork draws inspiration from the iconic engraving, The Great Wave off Kanagawa (神奈川沖浪裏, Kanagawa oki nami ura), by the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
The
El Salvador
Series
When I visited El Salvador in April 2024 to exhibit my art at the Halving Party, I was pleasantly surprised by the warmth and hospitality of the people I met. Walking through the streets of San Salvador at night, I felt completely safe—a stark contrast to the warnings I received before leaving, as many told me to be cautious, calling El Salvador dangerous. That perception no longer holds true.
One detail that caught my eye was the maquilishuat tree, a beautiful and common sight throughout the country.
In collaboration with Mrs. Universe and Mrs. El Salvador, Alejandra Guajardo, I launched the El Salvador Series —a project highlighting the country's national symbols in connection with its adoption of Bitcoin.
01
Sketching the Bitcoin ‘B’ into an organic form
Before I began working on the image of the maquilishuat, I experimented with numerous sketches, trying to shape the Bitcoin ‘B’ into a more organic form. The process took me back to my early days in an advertising agency, where I spent time designing logos.
I had previously designed the Bitcoin ‘B’ in another piece, titled Neptune
02
Pencil drawing
I began by sketching the image in a smaller format, then transferred it to high-quality watercolor paper for a larger version. As with all my artworks, I started with a raw pencil drawing.
03
Preparation
To achieve a clean finish, I erased the pencil lines to prepare the paper for the watercolor application.
04
Gouache colors
I began with the tree's leaves, initially unsure whether to draw each flower individually, as I had in my first sketch. Ultimately, I chose to paint the entire cluster of blossoms in cadmium orange using gouache, and later defined them with the ballpoint pen.
05
High-quality paper
I used exceptionally high-quality paper for this artwork—FABRIANO® ‘Artistico’, a natural white, handmade watercolor paper—and I absolutely love it. The gouache colors appear vibrant, with the pigments absorbing beautifully into the paper, allowing the hues to truly shine. Additionally, drawing with a ballpoint pen on this surface is a delight, as its soft, even texture offers the perfect balance of roughness and grain, making the experience incredibly smooth.
06
Black, Grey, White and Cadmium Orange
I love the interplay of black, grey, white, and the vibrant glow of cadmium orange. At this stage, I was uncertain whether to refine the tree's flowers with a ballpoint pen or to leave the upper part untouched as it is.
07
High-quality paper
I used exceptionally high-quality paper for this artwork—FABRIANO® ‘Artistico’, a natural white, handmade watercolor paper—and I absolutely love it. The gouache colors appear vibrant, with the pigments absorbing beautifully into the paper, allowing the hues to truly shine. Additionally, drawing with a ballpoint pen on this surface is a delight, as its soft, even texture offers the perfect balance of roughness and grain, making the experience incredibly smooth.
08
Black, Grey, White and Cadmium Orange
I love the interplay of black, grey, white, and the vibrant glow of cadmium orange. At this stage, I was uncertain whether to refine the tree's flowers with a ballpoint pen or to leave the upper part untouched as it is.
09
Bitcoin Day
September 7, 2021, is a landmark day for us Bitcoiners, but even more so for the people of El Salvador. The country’s adoption of Bitcoin represents a glimmer of hope for economic recovery. It also serves as a blueprint for other nations that have struggled to establish their own strong currency and remain dependent on the dollar or other fiat currencies. Bitcoin is hope.
Ballpoint pens are underestimated tools, just like Bitcoin.
I love when people ask, "Was that really created with just a ballpoint pen?" The answer is, almost entirely, yes. A pen—an everyday tool many wouldn't consider for art—can produce striking, sharp, high-contrast effects and offers remarkable versatility. In much the same way, Bitcoin is often underestimated, yet it intersects with a wide range of fascinating topics, from finance to psychology. Both the pen and Bitcoin, though seemingly simple, reveal unexpected depth and potential when explored more closely.
In this artwork, I’ve allowed myself the freedom to fully explore the vivid beauty of the bright gouache colors.
An overview of the entire drawing process
The Great Bitcoin Wave
Bitcoin is the wave of our time. The wave, a powerful and majestic symbol, represents Bitcoin's growing dominance over the outdated financial system. The first wave has already hit, but a much larger one is still on the horizon. As Bitcoin evolves into the global standard, its blockchain will become the foundation for all digital information. The waves of adaptation are inevitable. I am certain of this.
This artwork draws inspiration from the iconic engraving, The Great Wave off Kanagawa (神奈川沖浪裏, Kanagawa oki nami ura), by the renowned Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai.
