Last Message from Second Realm

This is not goodbye. It's see you later.

This might be the last message from Second Realm, but Eric’s not going anywhere. More on that in a moment. First, let’s address the big question: Where did Second Realm go?

This summer, I officially closed the Second Realm art studio to encapsulate the work I’ve done in the Web3 space under that name since 2019. Second Realm holds a special place in my heart, as it was instrumental in shaping who I am today.

I’m incredibly proud of my achievements, including minting and memeing The People’s Potato, pioneering NFT trash art, kickstarting the altpunks movement with my Unofficial Punks project, writing influential articles on CryptoPunk history, creating resources, and launching, The Outer Realm, one of the first artist-focused NFT podcasts where I interviewed amazing creators like Bryan Brinkman, Empress Trash, Sgt_Slaugtermelon, Robness, Max Osiris, Judy Lindsay, Olive Allen, Gary Vee, and more!

I was fortunate to be part of the truly unique moment in 2021 when NFTs captured the world’s attention. Some would say I was lucky. And I agree! I certainly benefited from that wave, but also believe that “luck” happens when preparation meets opportunity—I was ready when the time came.

Between 2019 and 2023, I explored, expanded, and created in a myriad of ways. I learned from friends, collaborators, collectors, investors, builders, fellow artists, and (yes) even the crypto influencers. To describe those four years, I often say it was an alternative, immersive MBA/MFA program in a international forum focused on art entrepreneurship. And my company/thesis is the Second Realm studio and brand. Under Second Realm, my art sales exceeded $534,220, with my highest single secondary market sale reaching $21,058.

I’m really, really proud of what I was able to accomplish under the Second Realm banner!

But I’m not done.

What I’m doing now?

I haven’t stopped creating art—far from it. I just wanted to put some space between my last mint under Second Realm and my first under ericprhodes.eth.

Even though I haven’t been actively sharing or minting my artwork, I’ve stayed deeply involved in the Web3 community, while recommitting to a focus on onchain products and composability.

• Since January, I’ve been co-hosting The Rising Tide podcast with DKleine. Each week, we dive into the latest in crypto culture, and we just kicked off Season 2 on the new onchain PODS platform.

• In August, I made the switch from X to Farcaster, where I share updates on my journey in art, tech, and life. If you haven’t followed me there yet, I’d love to connect with you! You can find me @epr.

• I’ve also started a daily blog on Paragrapch, embracing the value of storing written content onchain for its immutability and the potential for future composability.

• And I’m hosting a weekly Cryptoart Question of the Week discussion in the /cryptoart channel on Warpcast. Everyone is encouraged to share your thoughts!

• I’m also enrolled in a graduate program in Industrial Relations at Rutgers University. Getting involved in Web3 reignited my passion for business design, design thinking, and employee experience. This program is enhancing my understanding of how AI, AR, and VR will shape the future of work. I'm also exploring how Web3 labor practices—remote, gig, and hidden work—are redefining lives in a shifting, decentralized economy.

What’s next for me?

• I aim to release new 1/1s around January 2025.

• I also have something Ethereum-related in the works that I’m excited to tease, but can’t say much more about it.

• Meanwhile, my co-host, DKleine, and I are working on a collaborative art series connected to our podcast, which will drop much sooner. Specific details will be released, but to be eligible, you’ll need to collect podcast tokens from each episode.

What’s next for you?

Since you signed up for some version of a Second Realm newsletter, I will not be importing this list to my new blog. It doesn’t feel appropriate. And as a result, this will be my final communication here.

If you’d like to stay up-to-date with everything I’m up to, you can follow me on Warpcast. You can also subscribe to my daily blog as well.

I understand that this might not be ideal for everyone. Especially since it’s yet “another” social platform and newsletter. But it’s worth noting, these are now my primary forms of communicating. And I’m hopefull you’ll be joining me there.

Thank you, friends!

Lastly, I’m truly thankful that each of you have been part of this journey. You have added value to my life in so many ways. My hope is that I’ve also been able to add some value to yours over the years.

Seen you soon!

🙏❤️

Eric P. Rhodes