Big Chief: getting his ducks in a row

Sometimes creating something new brings you back to something you loved a long time ago.

For Joe — better known throughout the XRPL community as Big Chief — that journey has become about much more than digital art. It's about family, finding inspiration, pushing himself to learn new things, and building something meaningful for the future.

A happily married father of three, Chief is creating with his kids in mind while rediscovering an old passion for art. And if you've spent any time around his creations, there's a good chance you've already met a few of his beloved Blue Ducks.

Rediscovering an old passion

Chief started collecting digital assets in October 2024, but what began as an interest in Web3 eventually helped him reconnect with something he'd enjoyed long before blockchain: creating art.

"Creating or pushing my limits has been a pillar of my therapy routine since I started with digital assets and collecting in Oct '24."

For Chief, art became a way to challenge himself and focus his energy.

He credits the daily art Spaces with pushing him to pick up old skills and explore new tools.

"Listening to the daily Fine Art Culture / Pre-Scholar Studio spaces really threw fire onto the flame."

Instead of listening to the radio all day, he started using that time to learn from other artists.

"I figure why listen to the radio all day when I could re-learn & pick up some new skills with new tools."

And he's been experimenting ever since.

The Blue Ducks and beyond

You can't talk about Big Chief without talking about the ducks. Those Blue Ducks have become a recognisable part of his creative identity — but they're not the only subjects he enjoys bringing to life.

Indian Chiefs, totems and tipis have also become staples of his artwork. Chief enjoys working with familiar subjects while continuing to develop his skills, experimenting with different techniques before taking on bigger challenges.

And his creative process isn't always organised.

"It's usually a few random thoughts or ideas."

Using tools such as Autodesk Sketchbook, he explores different approaches to colour, layers, lighting and composition. Sometimes an idea starts with a photograph. Other times it's something completely unexpected.

That's part of what makes his creations interesting — he doesn't always see the same thing everyone else sees. Sometimes he sees something entirely different.

Welcome to the Duckyverse

What started with a love for Blue Ducks has grown into something bigger: the Duckyverse.

Chief expanded his duck-themed artwork into an NFT collection, introducing new characters and ideas throughout the XRPL ecosystem. The Duckyverse reportedly launched in May 2026 and became another chapter in his journey from collector to creator.

He's also explored other collections and artwork, including Totem Legends, Hybrids, and Windtalkers-inspired creations. His work can be found across XRPL NFT marketplaces, and the Duckyverse has expanded into community spaces too.

Ducky Night: a window into the past

One of Chief's most meaningful projects is also one of his biggest creative challenges so far.

Ducky Night, a Van Gogh-inspired bathroom window design, brings together his love for the Blue Ducks with the skills he's been working to develop. But there's something much more personal behind it.

"It's a fun challenge and brings back the memories of my grandma & I making stain glass crafts when I was young."

What began as a creative challenge also became a connection to a childhood memory. Years later, he's using different tools and learning new techniques, creating something entirely new — but somewhere in that process is the same kid who once sat with his grandmother making stained glass crafts.

Sometimes art brings us back to moments we didn't realise we missed.

Creating with his kids in mind

Chief is building with his family's future in view, and his children's creativity, imagination and fun ideas continue to influence his work.

Even when markets slow down, that inspiration doesn't disappear. He finds motivation in the artwork shared throughout his timeline and the artists who keep creating regardless of market conditions.

He's also become a familiar, positive presence throughout the XRPL art community — sharing his creations, encouraging other artists, and celebrating what people are building. For him, there's always something new to learn and another idea worth exploring.

Listen with intent

His advice to new artists entering Web3 is simple, but there's a lot behind it.

"Listening with intent will take you further than you can imagine."

Especially in a space where everyone seems to be trying to get their voice heard. Chief understands the value of learning from people who have spent years developing their craft — and he's not afraid to admit he's still learning himself.

He wants to keep learning, improve his skills, and use what he's learning to contribute something positive alongside others.

The artist behind the ducks

• Drink of choice: unsweetened tea.
• Favourite time to create: whenever inspiration strikes.
• Biggest inspiration: his three kids.
• Creative tools: physical art, digital illustration, photography, Autodesk Sketchbook, and AI-assisted techniques.
• Favourite current project: Ducky Night, the Van Gogh-inspired window.
• Known for: Blue Ducks, Indian Chiefs, totems, tipis and the Duckyverse.

A personal note

It's been a pleasure watching Chief's creativity grow since those early Blue Duck days.

One favourite memory: watching him experiment with photographs and turn them into something completely different — those early videos where he'd keep spinning and rotating an image, looking at it from every possible angle until he found what he could see hidden inside it.

That's something worth appreciating about Chief. He has a creative mind and a perspective on art that's entirely his own. Where someone else might see just a photograph, Chief sees possibilities.

A little more than art

What's good about Chief's story is that it isn't built around some grand plan to become a famous artist. It's about someone who found his way back to creating. A father looking toward his family's future. Someone still learning, still experimenting, still curious.

And maybe his most meaningful piece isn't even finished yet. Maybe it's that window — the one that brings together his beloved ducks, Van Gogh-inspired art, and memories of his grandmother.

Because sometimes the best creations aren't just about what we make. They're about what they remind us of.

Where to find the work

• The Duckyverse — find it on XRPL Home Explore
• Hybrids — find it on XRPL Home Explore
• Totem Legends and Windtalkers-inspired work — search Explore

Elsewhere: @stro4chiefs on X · duckyverse.xyz · Spatial gallery