Last week we had the pleasure to host the successful second installment of renowned illustrator Steve Simpson’s entry into the NFT artworld: Journey to Mindfulness, a captivating NFT trilogy inspired by the artist’s experience of personal turmoil and dealing with mental health. This followed Steve's debut NFT launch with USEUM Collectibles: CHAOS 🦋

Journey to Mindfulness was dedicated to World Mental Health Day, an international day of awareness-raising, education, and advocacy around mental health, and 20% of proceeds are being donated to Pieta House🎗 an Irish charity that supports people who are in suicidal distress, those who engage in self-harm, and those bereaved by suicide.

State of Turmoil (1 of 3), State of Truce (2 of 3), State of Inner Peace (3 of 3)

This trilogy of artworks was inspired by personal turmoil, the search for answers and healing. Each piece tells a different story, depicting a personal journey through anxiety, towards self-acceptance and inner peace. Underlying this journey to wellbeing is a fundamental sense of connection with nature, which supports mental and physical health. This is reflected in the playful tendrils and organic forms that merge with the human anatomy.

Each of the 3 pieces is a hand-crafted animation that tells a different story, depicting a personal journey towards self-acceptance; from State of Turmoil to State of Truce to State of Inner Peace. Steve’s characteristically vibrant style gives full effect to these introspective studies of the human condition, celebrating mindfulness and connection with the natural world.

Steve Simpson is a British-born, Dublin-based multi award-winning artist and illustrator whose internationally renowned projects have ranged from 1-inch postage stamps to a 200 feet screen in Times Square, New York. A pioneer of digital illustration since the early 1990s when his work included Disney and the iconic Beano comics, Simpson’s career spans over 30 years.

“As an illustrator you become very good at telling other people’s stories. NFTs allow you to tell your own story.” — Steve Simpson

The Journey to Mindfulness collection, which was auctioned over 48 hours, dropped on the 12th of October and was featured on NFT Plazas. The drop caught the attention of many on Twitter including speed-skating champion and 8-times Olympic medalist (the most decorated American athlete of the Winter Olympics) Apolo Ohne:

Thanks Steve - tried to support and bid but this inflight wifi is horrendous. Good luck on the auction! Beautiful work and wonderful cause. Thank you
— Apolo Anton Ohno (@ApoloOhno) October 14, 2021

The winner of State of Truce, the second in the collection series, took to Twitter to express their appreciation of Steve Simpson's NFT art:

Just won State of Truce @SteveSimpson it is a thing of beauty and my first 1/1 piece. You deserve your place in the history of NFTs. pic.twitter.com/l6Us9Ty4vJ
— Webhead (@Webhead_K) October 14, 2021

The winner of State of Inner Peace also celebrated the acquisition of Steve Smipson's NFT and support of Pieta's work:

So happy I was able to get this one !!! Can’t wait for the physical ! Thank you
— Dimes (@kdimes00) October 15, 2021

Glad to contribute for a good cause!
— Dimes (@kdimes00) October 15, 2021

USEUM Collectibles was first launched in the summer of 2021 and is an NFT platform that helps internationally renowned artists and institutions leverage blockchain technology, whilst making it possible for everyone to participate in the new art world of NFTs. Powered by Origin Protocol, which is one of the leading and most secure NFT providers globally, and driven by academic research, USEUM Collectibles was recently named by Yahoo Finance as one of five projects that are changing people's view of the NFT industry.

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On NFTs, Mental Health, and Giving Back: USEUM Collectibles x Steve Simpson