Jocereel: “Just take the first step and create”

Some artists create because they enjoy it. Others create because they can't imagine not creating.

That's Jocereel. From drawing on walls as a kid to building detailed character concepts on XRPL, art has always been there.

Drawing before anything else

Long before NFTs, digital art, or XRPL, Jocereel was already drawing. Everywhere.

"I draw on the walls in our house… my notebooks and books were filled with drawings."

Even school notes weren't safe: "I had more drawings in my notes than actual school notes."

That urge to create never really stopped. Over time it became more than a hobby.

"I always loved creating… until it became my passion."

Learning through traditional art

Before stepping into digital art, Jocereel spent years working traditionally. Ink on paper. Charcoal sketches. Graphite. Coloured pencils. Watercolour. Acrylic painting. Completely self-taught.

"I started doing traditional artworks long before digital."

Eventually, after being able to afford an iPad, everything shifted. That opened the door to digital illustration. His focus now is semi-realistic character art — detailed designs and concepts.

The reality of being an artist

Like many creators, the dream is simple: to create full time. But reality hits differently.

"I want to become a full-time artist… but the reality is I need to work so I can fund my passion."

That line will hit a lot of artists, because behind most art in this space is someone balancing real life while still trying to build something.

Discovering crypto

Jocereel's entry into Web3 started with curiosity.

"I wanted to see if I was going to get rich by investing."

So he started researching crypto, and that search eventually led him to XRP. From there he started joining XRPL art contests, especially within the Schmeckles community. That's where things started opening up.

Why XRPL

"People on XRPL are more fun and they love art."

That stood out to him, especially compared to spaces focused only on utility and tech.

"People on XRPL collect the art as it is."

And for someone who simply wants to share their work, that matters: "I'm not a techie guy… I'm just an artist that wants to share my artworks."

With only 5 XRP left after being involved in a rugged project, he still decided to take the risk.

"I wanted my artwork to have a place where people can see them."

Building Heroes of New World

Right now Jocereel is focused on Heroes of New World — a growing series of 1/1 character concepts, each with their own design and story.

The process starts with a vague idea. Knights. Warriors. Characters from another world. Then the real work begins.

The process

Jocereel doesn't believe references are cheating. He believes references are part of learning.

"You won't be able to draw something you didn't see."

He studies armour, textures, poses, and shapes — not to copy them, but to understand them.

"I'm not copying the references… I'm studying them."

From there the artwork evolves naturally.

"I don't have a final outcome in my thought… it develops as the art progresses."

That's why his work feels alive. It grows while he creates it.

Inspired by stories

Movies. Anime. Games — especially DOTA. Those influences are all over his work.

"That's why my current collection feels like it's built inside a story."

Each piece connects to a larger world in his head. Not just characters. Lore. That kind of connective tissue is exactly what makes a collection browsable — see setting up collections on the XRPL.

Still building

Jocereel is honest about where he's at. No huge sales yet. Still learning how the market works. Still building his collection piece by piece. But he keeps creating anyway.

Advice to new artists

"Just take the first step and create."

Don't let low sales stop you. Don't let silence stop you.

"Just keep building your collection and do your best."

The favourites

Two pieces stand out most so far: 001 – Undead Dragon Knight and 006 – The Monkey King, both from Heroes of New World.

The artist

Coffee with milk. Morning, noon, or night — always creating. Because for Jocereel, creating isn't scheduled. It's part of him.

Still growing

Jocereel's story isn't about overnight success. It's about passion that never stopped.

From drawing on walls, to building worlds on XRPL.

Where to find the work

• Heroes of New World — Search Heroes of New World on XRPL Home Explore →

Elsewhere: @mghtypotatoart on X · Discord