During a brief respite in our never-ending struggle, yours truly, Captain Gaia, sought audience with my longtime adversary, Field Marshal Bloodimir, a great art expert, connoisseur, collector and patron of the arts, to briefly review the life and work of our artist, Miguel Balbás. As you might imagine, he initially met my proposal with skepticism and a touch of hostility - which is totally understandable, given how often we try to blow each other sky high. But I soothed his doubts, assuring him that he, despite his devilish inclinations, was the ideal candidate for this task. In a plot twist more dramatic than the ending of a telenovela, my adversary accepted the task once I threw in a few tantalizing perks.

Also, he demanded that Miguel paint a portrait of him, and a Balbás original so enormous it could double as a circus tent, 20 NFTs (because apparently, he has ambitions to be the Jeff Bezos of the digital art world), a VIP ticket to our whitelist to be able to buy more NFTs at pre-mint price, hoping to make a fortune with them, an AMA with our artist to know more about his motivations and aspirations (the transcript of which we'll revisit in this very section), an assortment of magic potions from the father de la Fermosa Garota, top-of-the-line merchandise, and a snazzy baseball cap emblazoned with the logo of Ecowarriors of the Metaverse to shield his bald pate from the cruel, cruel sun. Talk about high-maintenance!

I agreed, shaking my head in a way that could cause a minor seismic event. But I didn't stop there. I also sent him a limited edition prayer book to Goddess Gaia, made with organic materials so premium even the snobbiest panda would approve, a selection of the Metaverse's finest wines (because nothing says 'peace' like a glass of high-end vino), and a document outlining his immediate surrender. This last document was promptly returned with a robust "LOL" splashed across it.

But fear not, dear readers! Our fierce competition may rage on, but thanks to Miguel Balbás' captivating creations, we have discovered common ground and found something far greater than victory or defeat: laughter, camaraderie, and the undeniable power of beauty to bridge even the deepest divides.

And so, as Miguel's works traverse the cosmos, they inspire within us all a renewed sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting us to contemplate the unknowable mysteries that lie just beyond the veil of perception. With each passing moment, the vibrant vitality of Balbás' visionary vocabulary awakens in our hearts the transformative power of creativity, urging us to embrace the unknown and explore the infinite expanse of possibility waiting just beyond our wildest dreams.

Why Field Marshal Bloodimir?

Portrait of Field Marshall Bloodimir by Miguel Balbás

Happy People_1, the Huge Balbás Original Demanded by Bloodimir

The AMA Session

Dive into the riotously funny transcript below, where Field Marshall Bloodimir grills the Spanish maestro of the easel, Miguel Balbás, in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. It's a conversation as colorful as a Picasso and as spicy as a bowl of paella!

Q. You, how artist become? Was like sudden bear in Siberia, or slow like turtle race?

A. Was like bull in china shop, no plan, just happen!

Q. Why brush pick, not shovel? Was bad beet soup or vodka night-dream?

A. Why brush? Is like paella, many flavors come together, shovel no good for that, amigo!

Q. You art make, what inside feel? Is like mad cosmonaut or careful babushka knitting?

A. When paint, feel like flamenco dancer in middle of bullring, very exciting, but also scary, ay caramba!

Q. Your art, what message? Want world peace like cooing dove or fly to moon like Laika?

A. Want peace like siesta in afternoon, or maybe fly to moon like star gazing at night, who knows?

Q. Ever hard time make art? Is like Siberian winter in head or more like busy Moscow bazaar?

A. Is like running with bulls, very crowded in head, or sometimes like empty tapas bar.

Q. Finish artwork, how feel? Like win vodka chugging contest or just another day in beet field?

A. Finish art, feel like win at tomato throwing festival, very messy but fun, si!

Q. Ever make art, look, say 'Blyat! I am genius!' or always chase perfection like chasing last metro home?

A. Look at art, say 'Ay Dios mio! I am Picasso!'? No, always want better, like more churros at breakfast.

Q. You art journey, how tell? Like wild ride on Russian troika or calm sail on Lake Baikal?

A. Art journey, is like bullfight, sometimes win, sometimes get horn in rear, but always interesting!

Q. When not know what paint, what do? Talk to Matryoshka dolls or take swig of brave juice (vodka)?

A. Talk to my paella pan, or maybe drink some courage juice (sangria).

Q. Last ask, you in Russian tale, who be? Sly fox, strong bear, or mystery Baba Yaga?

A. Maybe clever fox, or strong bull, or maybe mysterious gypsy, who knows, amigo!

Miguel Getting Horn in Rear

The Art Critic View

In order to gain further knowledge on our current artist-in-residence, we invite you to examine the article featured in the prestigious universal arts publication, 'The MetARTverse.' Penned by the celebrated French art critic, Enfants De La Patrie, this thorough examination showcases the exceptional talent of our chosen resident artist. This extensive piece offers an intimate look at his creative process, sources of inspiration, and professional journey thus far. Moreover, it highlights emerging themes and promising opportunities within the realm of contemporary art. By immersing yourself in this informative feature, you will acquire a deeper understanding of the vital role played by Miguel Balbás in shaping the global arts scene and enriching our shared cultural heritage.

Art Critic Enfants De La Patrie

Miguel Balbás: How a Relentless Onslaught of Boredom Catapulted This Unassuming Chap into the Thrilling Realm of Art!

Miguel was born under a curious constellation, with a rare condition called Stendhal Syndrome. Beauty was his lifeline, the rainbow in his otherwise stormy existence. Beauty was as abundant as air, and admiring it was a cost-effective hobby, cheaper than a Netflix subscription.

According to Miguel, beauty isn't a subjective squint but a universal truth. He firmly believes that even those tucked away in the Amazon's deepest nooks would struggle to pick a Fiat Multipla over a Maserati Quattroporte.

Just like the Basilica of Santa Croce, in Florence, which once made the French writer, who gave name to Miguel's disorder, faint, it continues to have the same effect on those tuned into beauty's frequency. Even today, after more than 200 years of the writer’s visit, it plays a powerful symphony on the heartstrings of sensitive souls and beauty aficionados.

With the stage now set, dear reader, you're ready to embark on a journey through the intriguing narrative that is the life of Miguel Balbás. Let the story begin!

A Creative Renaissance Portrait of Stendhal

Picture this: a young lad living a life so remarkably uneventful that watching paint dry would have been a welcome diversion. The poor chap was more isolated than a single sock lost in the depths of a washing machine - no buddies to horse around with, no siblings to engage in epic pillow fights, and not a single after school activity to spice up his life.

Post his daily eight-hour incarceration at school, where he was subjected to content so dreadfully dull it would make a sloth yawn, he'd trudge back to his home. Now, let's set the scene right - his abode was akin to a hybrid between a Spartan boot camp and a 15th-century Cistercian monastery, where monks took a vow of silence so seriously, you could hear a pin drop. The family crest of Miguel's clan might as well have been emblazoned with the phrase "In Misery We Revel," or in layman's terms, "Be misery, my son." And oh boy, did they make an Olympic sport out of wallowing in the doldrums!

Miguel Yawning of Boredom at Math Class

His entertainment options were as varied as a menu in a bread museum - he could either squint at a tiny, black and white TV that grudgingly doled out a few hours of grainy content, or he could draw. Now drawing was particularly encouraged in the Balbás household because it was as cheap as a knock-off designer purse and as quiet as a ninja on a stealth mission. Thus, armed with his art supplies, young Miguel would add color to his otherwise monochrome existence.

Following those formative years of yawn-inducing monotony, Miguel had a revelation, a lightbulb moment brighter than a supernova in a pitch-black universe. He realized, contrary to the echo of silence in his childhood home, he had a veritable orchestra of thoughts itching to make themselves heard. His preferred language of expression? The symphony of lines, colors, and shapes that sprang forth from his drawings and paintings.

One of Miguel's First Masterpieces: A Self Portrait When He Was 5 Years Old

Every brushstroke was a magic carpet ride, whisking him away from the humdrum and plonking him into a kaleidoscopic universe, brimming with joy and kindness. He found solace in his art, a refuge from his stark reality, and had an epiphany - if his creations could spark joy in him, why not spread the cheer? And thus, the concept of 'Beautiful Art for Stendhal Syndrome Sufferers' was born, an art where the form is the concept itself.

Fast forward to today Miguel's masterpieces are adorning walls in homes, workplaces, and even the odd caravan, infusing them with more colors than a piñata explosion. His themes are so universally appealing that even the most staunch minimalists, Feng Shui enthusiasts, or seasoned grumps can't resist their charm. They've got 'feel-good' written all over them, in every shade imaginable!

Soft Toys, a Painting From the 'Beautiful Art for Stendhal Syndrome Sufferers' Collection

Let’s not forget Miguel’s love for comics and graphic design and how, apart from the sale of his paintings and drawings, he has earned a living from illustration assignments in diverse styles, merchandise like t-shirts with bold and beautiful characters, greeting cards, or doing surface design, like wallpaper or textile patterns, and, of course, the granddaddy of revenue streams, art licensing.

Design for a T-Shirt

Now, you might be scratching your head, wondering why Miguel isn't as famous as a Kardashian, given his undeniable talent. Well, he did try the traditional route of wooing art galleries, both virtually and in the flesh. But after a series of 'thanks, but no thanks,' Miguel decided he had better things to do with his time. Like watching paint dry. Literally.

He wasn't gunning for the 'starving artist' title anyway. He just loved painting, simple as that.

Another quirk of our dear Miguel is his disdain for social media. He dabbled in it, sure, but found it as engaging as a slideshow of someone else's vacation photos. The constant upkeep, the pressure to sell, sell, sell - it just wasn't his cup of tea.

So, there you have it. Miguel Balbás, the artist who'd rather be slapping color onto a canvas than hashtags onto an Instagram post.

Circuits BBG, a Painting From the 'Beautiful Art for Stendhal Syndrome Sufferers' Collection

Oh, and let's not forget Miguel's brief foray into the turbulent world of art contests.

Picture Miguel, an artist diving into the wild waters of art contests. First up: the art wrap, as simple as gift-wrapping an over-caffeinated octopus. Not a single dust bunny or rogue fingerprint can sully the masterpiece.

Next, he needs a courier who treats artwork like a ticking time bomb. We're not shipping socks here, folks, it's a prima donna painting on tour!

And don't get me started on costs! Shipping rates that'd make a millionaire faint, insurance charges that could bail out a small nation, and contest fees that make you feel like you're bankrolling a Mars mission!

But after all this hustle, Miguel's masterpiece didn't even make it to the contest's exhibition stage. It came back faster than a boomerang, sporting a rejection bruise darker than a goth's wardrobe. No exhibition, no prize - nothing! He didn't even get a participation certificate.

Miguel eventually decided that the stress of these contests was as much fun as a root canal performed by a blindfolded dentist, and opted to bow out. He figured he'd rather splurge on a mountain of new paintbrushes, or, you know, actually paint.

So, the saga of art contests: more twisty-turny and patience-testing than a soap opera marathon. Now, that's a brush with reality!

Happiness, a Painting From the 'Beautiful Art for Stendhal Syndrome Sufferers' Collection

After enduring a childhood as monotonous as a dial tone and a life more grayscale than a vintage movie, with only his vibrant paintings as a burst of color, Miguel decided to pack his bags for London in 1992. He figured he might find some takers for his talent in this bustling modern-day Rome.

And voila! Miguel managed to scrape by. Living, not thriving, got it? His survival recipe included a dash of advertising agencies gigs, a sprinkle of textile company work, a heap of department store jobs, a pinch of greeting card designs, a dollop of magazine illustration commissions, and the occasional sale of a painting.

After a youth steeped in hardship and poverty in his motherland, the smorgasbord of opportunities that London served up was like a feast for young Miguel. More than enough to sustain a scrappy Spanish immigrant in the pulsating heart of the British Empire.

The survival scheme was rolling along like a rickety old cart, but it got the job done. Our hero, Miguel, was managing to keep the wolf from the door and even picked up some English along the way. Sure, it was more patchwork quilt than silk tapestry, but he reckoned that English speakers could catch his drift, and he could hold his own in a chat.

Unbeknownst to him, however, his English-speaking counterparts were wrestling with his unique linguistic stylings. But, true to their stiff-upper-lip culture, they held their poker faces, stifling their giggles like champions whenever they conversed with the artist. Miguel remained blissfully oblivious to the comedy of errors his conversations often became.

Cupids Love, a Painting From the 'Beautiful Art for Stendhal Syndrome Sufferers' Collection

But a profound transformation was on the horizon. On an ordinary winter's morning in London, in the year 2000, Miguel's wife awoke with an unusual swelling in her abdomen. Subsequent tests confirmed the grim truth: ovarian cancer.

Out of respect for the reader's sensibilities, we shall forgo the details of what followed. Suffice it to say, it was akin to witnessing the unrelenting progression of mortality. A year of grueling treatments, invasive surgeries, and frequent hospital admissions ensued. Alas, Sylvia, as she was named, succumbed to her illness in November of 2001.

Thus, a seismic shift occurred in Miguel's perspective. He sought solace and healing in his art, as if it were a balm for the wounds left by the torment his wife had endured, the inexorable triumph of death, and his own vain efforts to stave off the inevitable. His artworks retained their vibrant and appealing style, but their subjects underwent a transformation. No longer did they feature an assortment of pleasing shapes and characters, organized in a chaotic yet harmonious fashion. Instead, they evolved into potent portrayals of anguish, suffering, and despair.

His works were akin to the view of Earth from the Moon - breathtaking from afar. Yet, upon closer inspection, the beholder would be confronted by the stark realities of life's pain and suffering. It was as if each piece silently whispered the world's hidden horrors to the unsuspecting viewer.

Embarking on his art therapy journey, Miguel initially saw it as a medium for his personal demons to stain paper and canvas, with no broader implications. Yet, unbeknownst to him, he was gradually becoming a visual advocate against formidable entities like Big Pharma, the cancer treatment industry, the cosmetics lobby, and countless other harrowing realities.

His art gave a visual voice to the anguish of countless beings - both human and animal - across the globe. His creations brimmed with the raw essence of pain, suffering, and despair, depicted through vibrant colors and beautiful composition. The characters he portrayed were ensnared in a life filled with torment, desperation, and pain.

The character that sparked this transformation was a depiction of his wife, Sylvia, mid-chemotherapy session. Named "the generic patient," she symbolized all patients worldwide - faceless and nameless to the cold, profit-driven pharmaceutical industry that viewed illness as a golden goose.

And thus, the "Armageddon Art Collection" made its grand debut!

The Generic Patient

This petite collection, comprised of about 25 gems of artistry, is like a Pandora's box of the world's ugliest truths, all dolled up and ready to party. Mostly hand-drawn and painted on paper, these works are so meticulous and labyrinthine that you'll need a magnifying glass, the patience of a monk, and a gut of steel to fully appreciate the medley of jaw-dropping scenes they present.

Miguel, cherishing the original pieces, opts not to sell them. Instead, he offers limited edition prints for purchase. Additionally, he is in the process of preparing a collection of NFTs.

And regarding “The Armageddon Art Collection”, just once, Miguel got the golden ticket - a chance to be represented by a big-shot art gallery, the kind that rubs elbows at ARCO, Madrid's swanky international art fair, and jet-sets to other fancy schmancy fairs around the globe. Miguel was bouncing off the walls, as giddy as a kiddo in brand new kicks.

But, hold your horses! Days later, he's told his art doesn't quite fit the bill. According to the gallery owner, the themes Miguel chose to paint weren't exactly the cup of tea for your typical bourgeois art aficionado. Just like that, his artist dreams crashed and burned, courtesy of the gallery's fear of straying from the conventional. The gallery, like many, chose business bucks over bold, meaningful art.

Wheel of Disaster, A Painting from The Armageddon Art Collection

Now, with the NFT boom, Miguel is as excited as a squirrel with a bag full of acorns. He's got the golden opportunity to skip the middleman and take the reins as his own art dealer. He can connect directly with folks who are genuinely interested in his work, and together, they can cultivate a vibrant community of like-minded folks who groove with Miguel's unique sensibilities and life perspectives.

Once a respectable chunk of time had passed, Miguel dusted off his 'Beautiful Art for Stendhal Syndrome Sufferers' project and churned out a boatload of masterpieces. These works snagged him a healthy heap of art licensing contracts that are still ticking along nicely today. Miguel has grand plans to reignite the flames of his "Armageddon Art Collection" when he can carve out some time. But for now, he's up to his eyeballs in the "Ecowarriors of the Metaverse" NFT collection. He's the whole circus in this endeavor - serving as the Creator, Chief Creative Officer, artist, raconteur, wordsmith, web and graphic designer, and any other hat you can think of!

Crushitfixion, A Painting from The Armageddon Art Collection

And thus, dear art aficionados and story lovers, in an attempt not to overflow this webpage with more text, we've reached the grand finale of our epic journey through Miguel's life and artistic endeavors. We sincerely hope this tale has tickled your curiosity and left you hungry for more about this one-of-a-kind artist. Despite his gloomy past, he managed to spin a rainbow of colors, shapes, and ideas from the loom of his life, ultimately landing his dream gig as the mastermind behind the EOTM NFT collection. He has high hopes to continue expanding this digital art project in the foreseeable future. So, until we meet again, au revoir, mes chéris!

Enfants De La Patrie, Art Critic

WTF, A Painting from The Armageddon Art Collection

Maserati Quattroporte