This article is the first in a series called “Web3 Women’s Revolution” honoring Women’s History Month and exploring woman-identifying artists in the Web3 space. Maria Mindal (www.MariaMindal.art) is a self portrait and nude artist who spoke to us about her Web3 journey and brave venture into nude art. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

Describe yourself in 3 words. Go:

Sensuality, femininity, tenderness.

Let’s start with the basics: how did you get into art?

Art has always been with me. My mother had a special gift for finding beauty in the simplest things. As a child, she enrolled me in various art schools, though I never actually finished any of them. I was the kind of kid who wanted to try everything, constantly switching hobbies and chasing new passions. In 2019, I moved from Belarus to Estonia completely on my own. At first, everything seemed great, but after a couple of months, I realized just how completely alone I was. That’s when I started drawing, it became my way of coping. At some point, I met someone who introduced me to digital art, and since the summer of 2020, I can no longer imagine my life without it.

Your X bio says “I create art and I am art”. Tell us about this philosophy/approach. How did you get into self portraiture?

To capture accurate poses, I needed nude photos of myself, and I think that’s when the idea of self-photography as its own artistic genre first took root in me. About a year and a half ago, I started moving beyond using my photos just for reference – I began seeking inspiration in them. That’s when I realized I needed to speak more openly and boldly about the idea that a woman and the female body are art in themselves, not just objects of desire. At the time, I was still actively working as an illustrator, so I began weaving this philosophy into my artwork and the narratives I created around it. Slowly but surely, I noticed a shift – people started perceiving my illustrations of nude bodies differently. By May 2024, this journey led me to fully embrace nude self-portraiture, carrying the philosophy that I am art. 

When they look at nude art, they are seeing art first and foremost – not just a body, not just nudity, but a story, a piece of human expression.

Describe your perspective towards nude art. What draws you to it? What’s the impact of nude art, in your opinion?

For me, nude art is more than just imagery -it’s my personal language of expression. Through self-portraits and the human form, I tell stories of vulnerability, strength, and raw emotion. Each frame is an intimate dialogue between light, shadow, and emotion – an exploration of self, identity, and the unspoken. Like many, I’ve struggled with insecurities – there were times when I couldn’t see my own beauty, when I rarely looked in the mirror, when I viewed my body only as a reference for poses rather than truly seeing myself.

But at some point, something shifted. I started noticing beauty in the places I had once overlooked – my fingers, my collarbones, my shoulders, the natural folds of my skin. I began studying myself inch by inch, learning to appreciate the details, and in doing so, I reclaimed my self-love. That’s when I realized: I am art. This is the impact I want nude art to have on others. I want people to be able to stand in front of a mirror and find beauty in themselves, to see the delicate, elegant lines that exist in every body. I want them to recognize that when they look at nude art, they are seeing art first and foremost – not just a body, not just nudity, but a story, a piece of human expression.

How did you get into Web3?

 I ventured into the world of NFTs as an illustrator in late 2021. It was a serendipitous discovery—I first heard about this space from another artist and decided to give it a try.

Which artist in history would you have wished to see on blockchain?

If I could bring any artist from history onto the blockchain, I would choose Ruth Bernhard. She was a remarkable photographer known for her elegant and tender portrayal of the female form. She captured the human form with such softness and reverence, emphasizing curves, textures, and emotions rather than mere physicality. 

If you stay committed, Web3 can truly be a life-changing experience, it will redefine your path as an artist.

Any advice for people looking to get into Web3? Any words for those who are hesitant?

Web3 has been a transformative space for me as an artist. It allowed me to grow, evolve, and see my art in a completely new way. Before discovering Web3, I was primarily creating commissioned portraits, I had never truly explored the idea of crafting my own narratives, of bringing my own visions to life. But stepping into this world changed everything. The word “create” took on a whole new meaning for me.

One of the most beautiful aspects of Web3 is the incredible community of artists. Every day, I find myself in awe of the talent that surrounds me. It’s a space where you don’t have to be afraid to experiment, because there will always be people who support and uplift you. Web3 is filled with limitless opportunities to share your art and make your voice heard. Of course, just like in any field, building your name takes time and effort. It’s not an overnight success story. But if you stay committed, Web3 can truly be a life-changing experience, it will redefine your path as an artist.

To those who are hesitant, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap, not just to make money, but to share your story with the world.

What’s the one question you hate getting asked the most as an artist?

As a woman artist, self-portraitist, and nude photographer, this is a particularly painful topic. I hate questions that carry a sexual undertone. My work is about art, self-expression, and storytelling – not about desire or objectification. But I’ve noticed something important: the more boldly and openly I share my story, the less I receive those kinds of questions. The louder I speak about my philosophy, the clearer it becomes to people that my work isn’t about seduction, it’s about identity, vulnerability, and the artistic exploration of the human form.

What’s one benefit of having a .ART domain?

Right now, I’m actively working on developing my .ART domain, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have my own domain for free, with an affordable renewal cost. One of the biggest benefits is that it finally pushed me to create my own website, something I had been thinking about for a long time. Now, I have a dedicated space where people can quickly and easily discover me and my art. I also believe that having a personal domain makes me more visible as an artist. It gives me a stronger platform to share my work and speak even louder about nude art as a form of expression, rather than mere objectification. 

Maria Mindal uses .ART’s free website builder to showcase her powerful art. Register your .ART domain and use it for your portfolio or connect it to your Web3 assets today: https://get.art