Swadoki: brick by brick, pixel by pixel

Sometimes art starts with inspiration. Sometimes it starts because you need somewhere to put the pain.

For Swadoki Chef, it was the second one.

What began during one of the hardest periods of his life became pixel art, a home on the XRP Ledger, and eventually something much bigger. Behind the name is Boss Prince G — a pixel artist whose work is rooted in emotion, storytelling and small details.

Brick by brick. Pixel by pixel.

Art from heartbreak

Swadoki's journey as an artist began in 2023, and the reason behind it was deeply personal. He was dealing with heartbreak after being cheated on — and instead of staying in that pain, he found somewhere to put it.

"Instead of staying in that pain, I poured my emotions into learning pixel art. What started as an outlet slowly became purpose."

There wasn't a grand plan or an audience waiting for him. There was simply someone going through a difficult moment who decided to create.

Pixels also brought him back to something familiar. Childhood games like Street Fighter and Metal Slug had left an impression — and that visual language became the one he'd use to tell stories.

Late nights led to XRPL

Once he started creating, another question followed: where could he share it?

He began researching platforms where his work could be valued and appreciated. That search introduced him to NFTs, and then to the XRP Ledger.

"Late-night research. Curiosity. Searching for something bigger."

He didn't arrive as a blockchain expert. In fact, he freely admits he didn't really understand XRPL at first.

"I only had intention and courage."

Sometimes that's enough. Things moved quickly from there. "Everything moved so fast, yet every step felt warm." From 2023 through 2026, his journey became one of growth, learning and gratitude.

If you're at that same starting point, XRPL 101 covers the ledger itself, and Start Here: artist onboarding covers the first steps.

The Multivers of Ghosted

One of the earliest chapters in his XRPL story was The Multivers of Ghosted.

In July 2023, only months into learning pixel art, he shared the story behind the collection. The idea centred on a ghost spirit with twins existing across different multiverses — he wasn't making PFPs, he was building stories around his pixels.

Using Aseprite, he worked on a tiny 32 × 32 pixel canvas before scaling his creations up.

The collection also became a place to push himself. He started with static PFPs. Then he wanted to do more — experimenting with animation and eventually expanding his Ghosts into GIFs.

Small canvas. Big ideas. And an artist willing to keep learning.

Why he stayed

Finding a blockchain is one thing. Finding a place where you actually feel welcome is another.

"The community welcomed me in a way that made me feel seen."

That feeling stuck. He found a place where people appreciated what he was creating, and that community eventually became another source of inspiration.

Brick by brick, pixel by pixel

His creative process begins with emotion. A feeling. A story. Something from life he wants to translate into pixels.

He sketches roughly, refines the shapes, and carefully adjusts the colours. And every piece carries something with it.

"Honestly, every piece holds a memory."

The pieces created during his hardest moments mean the most, because they remind him how far he's come.

A single pixel doesn't look like much. Neither does a single brick. Keep placing them, though, and eventually you've built something that wasn't there before.

Creating with the CommUnity

Swadoki's work hasn't stayed inside his own collections. Over the years he's collaborated with several artists and projects across the XRP Ledger, bringing his pixel style into other worlds while continuing to build his own.

"Seeing artists support each other on XRPL motivates me to keep building not just art, but space for others to grow."

And if you want a piece from Swads, there's one other thing worth knowing: you have to be quick. His work has a habit of getting sniped fast.

Slow markets build strong foundations

Markets change. The purpose is still there.

"Slow markets build strong foundations."

Create. Learn. Improve. Keep going.

Advice to new artists

His advice for artists entering Web3 isn't about chasing what's getting attention. It's about building your own identity.

"Don't chase fast validation. Build your identity."

Learn slowly. Be patient. Respect the community. And create from somewhere real.

"Create from honesty, not from trend pressure."

Then keep showing up. "Web3 rewards consistency and heart."

That advice sounds a lot like his own journey. He didn't start because he had everything figured out. He started because he needed to create — then he kept going.

The artist behind the pixels

Coffee: always. "Late nights and coffee built this journey."

Favourite time to create: late at night, when everything is quiet and emotions speak louder.

Favourite piece: there isn't just one. Every piece holds a memory, and the ones made during the hardest moments mean the most.

A personal note

Swads has been here since day one. More than an artist the CommUnity has worked with — a friend, an inspiration, and someone considered family.

He's been there for every CommUnity drop. He's collaborated, supported other artists, supported DOOD, and always showed up when something was being built.

His art has grown over the years, but he's stayed true to who he is through all of it. He creates, he supports, and he keeps going.

Intention and courage

Swadoki didn't arrive on XRPL knowing exactly where any of this would lead. He had intention. He had courage. And he started.

"Thank you for giving me space to share this. This journey hasn't been easy, but it has been beautiful."

— Boss Prince G

Where to find the work

• The Multivers of Ghosted — the earliest collection, and the beginning of his multiverse of pixel ghosts — find it on XRPL Home Explore
• The Bricks Citizens — the bricks that became another recognisable part of his pixel world — find it on XRPL Home Explore
• G.H.O.S.T.E.D — more from the ghost-filled pixel world — find it on XRPL Home Explore

His artwork is also available on CommUnity merch, including a Bricks T-shirt and tote.

Elsewhere: @swadoki_ on X · @bricklesnar_ · swadoki.netlify.app · Discord