Antoine Mingo, a former concept artist for the popular Ethereum-based NFT collection Pudgy Penguins, left the project in early 2023 after facing creative clashes with the leadership.
Mingo, who joined the collection in 2021 through gig platform Upwork, had been pivotal in the creation of the collection's 8,888 NFT profile pictures, which became a huge success.
But as Pudgy Penguins evolved, so did the tensions between him and the project's management.
Initially working in the Web2 world, Mingo’s artistic journey took a sharp turn when he was hired for the Pudgy Penguins gig.
The collection, created under founder Cole Thereum, skyrocketed in popularity as the NFT market boomed.
Although Mingo was new to Web3, his art quickly gained recognition, bringing in a flood of work from other projects.
He stayed on as a core artist for Pudgy Penguins even after Thereum's controversial exit in 2022, when he emptied the project’s treasury and was replaced by Luca Netz.
However, it was clear that the artist’s vision was beginning to diverge from the direction the project was headed.
Mingo began to feel that his style was no longer aligning with the evolving direction of Pudgy Penguins.
Mingo shared,
“[My style] just wasn’t clicking with them. Even the simple things, like the flippers. Just little creative differences like that.”
He had pitched a more unique, dynamic vision for the brand, inspired by the animated series “The Amazing World of Gumball”, where 2D and 3D elements are blended.
However, this vision was not embraced by the new leadership.
"I think you could see it in the art," he added, noting that if one were to compare his designs to those of the current team, it would be clear where the differences lay, though not drastically so.
Pudgy Penguins’ design in the past (left) vs current (right)
The lack of creative freedom at Pudgy Penguins became a key factor in Mingo’s departure, leading him to seek out opportunities where he could take the reins of the creative direction.
Now at the helm of a new NFT project, Burrrs, Mingo is relishing the opportunity to bring his artistic vision to life.
The project, which will launch on Magic Eden for 4.2 BERA each ($34), promises to allow Mingo the flexibility he craved during his time with Pudgy Penguins.
As a founding member and creative lead, he feels empowered to take on a much more direct role, ensuring that his ideas are given room to evolve.
Mingo noted on the the importance of adaptability and engagement with the community, stating,
"Honestly, I’m excited to see the reaction we get. We’re gonna change and roll with however the people like it.”
Despite his reservations about the early days of Pudgy Penguins, Mingo credits much of the collection’s success to the ability to embrace imperfection and evolve.
Mingo explained,
"Things don't have to be picture-perfect. You can create a story and just kind of roll with the punches."
The collection, like a chameleon, adapted and changed over time, ultimately thriving amid a turbulent market.
Mingo acknowledged that while he once doubted the project's potential, the lessons learned from Pudgy Penguins have been invaluable in shaping his approach to creative freedom and collaboration.
Mingo’s departure from Pudgy Penguins marks a new chapter in his career.
Though he maintains positive relations with the project’s leadership, he is no longer directly involved.
As Burrrs takes shape, the artist is eager to continue his journey within the rapidly evolving world of Web3, where creative expression and adaptability are key to success.
With complete control over the artistic direction, Mingo is now ready to create something that truly reflects his vision, aiming to make a lasting mark on the NFT space once again.
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