From childhood Pokémon sketches to creating geometric figures on the blockchain, Tormius's creative journey has not been smooth. He is a trained designer and an artist filled with the spirit of creation, building unique visual imagery based on abstraction, geometry, and emotional resonance.
His latest work (Shapets) is full of fun, showcasing his desire to 'question the established' and leading his creative spirit. The collection includes over 600 geometric figures, stemming from a spark of inspiration, ultimately developing into a complete universe filled with rarity, expressiveness, and charm.
In this interview, we chatted with Tormius about his journey into the NFT art world, the creative spark behind Shapets, and how music, curiosity, and community continue to drive his artistic development.
OpenSea: How did your creative journey begin? What made you focus on digital art as a medium?
Tormius: Looking back at my childhood, like most kids, I was always interested in creation. I drew Pokémon, comics... but I now think these were not the things that shaped my life trajectory from the beginning. Video games took up most of my time. In my teens, I stopped drawing. I remember my mom curiously asking me why I no longer drew since I used to do it so much. At that time, I began to develop an interest in writing.
I think it is this curiosity about creation that sparked my desire to become a writer. After completing compulsory education, I studied graphic design. After failing several attempts to write meaningful works, I became confused about the idea of becoming a writer. I realized I needed design to guide my creativity. Although I still work as a designer and love this job, when I started pursuing my degree, I returned to my childhood obsession with painting. I knew my mission was to pursue illustration and art, not to be a designer.
It sounds like a lot of changes, not pursuing something through failed attempts, but I think it feels more like an experiment, constantly trying until I find something that truly resonates with me.
Since then, I began creating Tormius. During my studies, I created some physical works that didn't require much mental effort. I remember continually thinking about how to express myself and what my art project would look like, coming up with various artistic names, researching various references... I think I always overthought things. At that time, I tried many different things until the end of 2020, after completing my studies, when I found a way to express myself through abstraction and geometry, gradually developing to where I am now.
OpenSea: Did growing up in Valencia influence the way you view shapes, structures, or colors? Was there an early artist or experience that led you towards geometric abstraction?
Tormius: I was born and raised in a small town called Hátiva, an hour's drive from Valencia. It wasn't until I started studying design in Valencia that I was able to open my mind to learning new things and be influenced by the entire art movement of this city.
I remember when preparing for school entrance exams, I discovered Wassily Kandinsky's 'Circles in a Circle' (1923). The impact this work had on me was unprecedented. I think Tormius was born at that moment; it will always be a special piece for me. During that time, I also discovered works from local artists who are now internationally renowned, such as Felipe Pantone and Deh.
OpenSea: You describe creativity as a way of connecting with the world. When did you truly experience this creative identity?
Tormius: I believe all children have the talent for creativity, but over time, some will gradually give up, while others will retain it for life. Creativity may have always existed deep within me, trying to express itself in different ways until I learned to listen to it and integrate it into my actual creations. I feel my creative identity is constantly changing and evolving, and I am increasingly aware of this. I believe it will continue forever.
OpenSea: You once said that your artistic creation stems from curiosity and the desire to 'question the established.' Can you talk about how this mindset is reflected in your work?
Tormius: I have never been an artist skilled in realism, so I seek ways to express concepts by alienating reality. My work pursues abstraction, yet carries a hint of realism. This realism is reflected in the concepts and in certain elements that give meaning to a multitude of lines. So, for me, questioning existing expectations means giving new meanings to what I want to express, rather than sticking to conventions.
OpenSea: Let's talk about Shapets. What was the initial inspiration or idea for this series?
Tormius: Shapets was born in October 2024 when the Shape blockchain was just launched. The idea was simple, like a spark. I love wordplay, combining them to create new meanings. So after Shape was released, I saw this word everywhere on my timeline, and I began to ponder it, trying to find some different meanings. Suddenly, the word Shapets appeared in my mind, and I completed the project within seconds, conceptualizing a collection of semicircle characters from Shape.
At that moment, I knew I had to do something with it. I started working on it, and in less than a month, I created 152 characters and placed them in a very popular collection. So, I thought perhaps I could invest more into this idea. The Shape team gave me the confidence to continue this project, so I created this new version of Shapets, which includes 620 characters, rarity, types, tributes... This is everything I wanted to do in the first series, so I renamed the first one to Genesis Shapets, and this will become the official Shapets.
OpenSea: Each piece in this series is full of fun and rich in emotion. Despite being very abstract, how do you infuse emotion into geometric shapes?
Tormius: I think that for the Shapets series, the key is expression. My works always incorporate eyes, which is an element I frequently use. It fascinates me and helps me build the work, giving it meaning with real and understandable elements. I usually start with the eyes and then create the rest of the work.
OpenSea: How do you handle color theory and shape dynamics in Shapets? Do you try to follow certain parameters?
Tormius: Color theory is key to maintaining the cohesion of numerous characters. Except for the inspirators, shapers, and legends, the remaining characters share the same 26 colors, with some slight variations. I observed the effect based on color combinations with the naked eye and created a palette, allowing me to color quickly without hesitation.
As for shapes, they all start from semicircles. Some respect the shapes more than others. When I draw or observe the shapes of Shapet, I realize this. I allow myself to break the semicircle or respect it. That's why I strive to give those that look more unique a higher rarity.
OpenSea: What kind of emotions or reactions do you hope collectors will have when interacting with Shapets?
Tormius: The most important thing is fun. For me, the process of creating these characters is very enjoyable. The process of creating all the characters by hand is very tense, but also fulfilling and fun. I love imagining the surprise collectors feel when they discover they have received a rare, interesting, or even legendary character!
I also think it's fun when they share it. I can comment on interesting facts about their Shapet, like why they have that name or why they look the way they do.
OpenSea: From conception to execution, what do you think a typical creative process looks like?
Tormius: I make different choices based on my circumstances or how pressing the deadline is. However, sometimes working under pressure can be better than working when the deadline is too far away, as I might procrastinate more then.
But when I start creating, I always let the drawn lines guide me, directing my path. I don't like to create around a specific, very closed theme because I always follow the initially drawn abstract, meaningless lines, pushing the work in one direction or another based on what I see, or I will erase it and continue looking for something that inspires new work.
OpenSea: Your website links to a playlist you often listen to while painting. How does music affect your creative flow or visual decisions?
Tormius: Thank you for mentioning this! Music is very important to me. For whatever reason, when I haven't listened to music for several days, it affects my mood. When I face a blank page to create something new, having some background music is crucial, but it can't be just any music.
This music must be music that I feel will not distract me. For me, jazz, soul, and even some specific soft electronic and pop music work. I like rock and metal music and often listen to it, especially in the gym, but currently, I find they do not help my creative process.
OpenSea: What digital tools or techniques do you typically use? How has your workflow evolved over the years?
Tormius: From the very beginning, the iPad has been my loyal companion. I tend to use tools in a minimalist way, trying to avoid laboriously running through various programs to achieve the final effect. My exploration and style changes stem more from my sketching method than from the creative process.
From the very beginning, vector graphics were my main tool, but recently I started experimenting more with digital painting. I have always enjoyed exploring new things like artificial intelligence or generative art, but from my current perspective, these explorations are to allow me to create better sketches rather than for the final effect.
OpenSea: You have built your career in the Web3 art space. How has this ecosystem influenced your artistic growth and values?
Tormius: Web3 is crucial for me. If I hadn't discovered it, Tormius would not exist as it does today. It gave me a path, a goal, continuous learning, many friends, and a way to live off my art. I recently returned from the NFC summit in Lisbon, which I attended for the second consecutive year. It was so exciting to meet so many like-minded friends here, as if meeting lifelong friends.
In terms of my art, as I share with others and am collected by many collectors, my art continues to grow. This means starting from an ambiguous style and, over time, refining my style while always demanding more of myself and pursuing to become a better artist.
OpenSea: What is your next step in your creative plans? Do you have any ideas or directions you are currently exploring?
Tormius: Yes! As I mentioned, I am currently excited to explore creating purely digital paintings without using vectors. This allows me to create more expressive lines and to make more 'messy' works, which is precisely what I want to do now. After finishing (Shapets), I returned to my usual creative style, and I am happy to be able to showcase them soon.
Recently, there is something else that excites me, which is the residency project in Rio de Janeiro in July, led by Selkie and Efdot. It will be a fantastic experience. I know that as an artist, I will gain a lot of growth, explore new forms of creation, and learn from other artist friends.
OpenSea: Thank you, Tormius, for chatting with us!
Tormius: Thank you very much, Hannah, for arranging this interview!
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