Meet Carole
Carole Levy’s artistic journey began when she was just four years old. With a grandmother who taught her the precision of graphite drawing and observation, and a mother who encouraged the freedom of watercolor, she learned the importance of taking a step back to truly see her work. This foundational training instilled in her a deep understanding of both structure and spontaneity, elements that continue to shape her creative process today.
Her foray into digital art began in 2022 when she joined the Stacks ecosystem and Gamma. The introduction of Bitcoin Ordinals was a natural extension of this journey, presenting both challenges and excitement.
Dotwork Rooted in Absence
Carole's art is deeply intertwined with the concept of absence. “I try to give substance to absence, shapes to memories I don’t have,” she explains. Her dotwork technique is a manifestation of this philosophy—each tiny dot contributes to the whole, while the empty spaces between them are just as vital. “They’re as important as the dots, the empty spaces, perhaps even more important.”
Her process is slow and meditative, allowing her to fully immerse herself in the subject. Organic forms—animals, plants, and portraits—are her preferred themes, as they resonate with her artistic sensibilities.
Excellence within Constraints
Releasing art through Bitcoin Ordinals presents unique challenges, particularly for an artist whose work relies on intricate details. The high resolution required to preserve the integrity of her dotwork means she must carefully balance quality with the constraints of inscription sizes.
This limitation pushes her beyond perfectionism, forcing her to make creative decisions that may not have been necessary in traditional or even other digital mediums. “Although I want to preserve my artistic legacy forever on Bitcoin, I also want to make sure I'm true to myself,” she notes. Some pieces were not designed to be inscribed, and won't be— "Not everything I create needs to be stored permanently on-chain".
Personal Significance
Several of Carole's works hold personal significance. Her Golden Poison Frog was her first release on Bitcoin Ordinals and remains an open edition, symbolizing her desire for it to continuously find new homes. The piece resonates with her personality—a “smol yet fierce little thing that wants to travel all over the world.”
La Lune, however, is the piece she holds closest to her heart. It was inspired by a significant moment in August 2023, a conversation that etched a memory permanently in her mind. “It’s not my place to tell this story,” she says, “but I will remember that Blue Moon and the pack of coyotes.”
Then there’s Serpentes, a playful exploration of alliteration and beauty: “Sixteen slithering snakes, seeking special sats on snake day.” This piece exemplifies the fun she finds in both language and visual art.
Two Worlds Combined
Carole holds a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts and Publishing, with experience in lithography, silk screen, copper plate engraving, handmade books, and poetry. Dotwork became her specialization, though she frequently revisits other traditional techniques.
Despite her transition to digital, she never fully abandons traditional methods. “I’ve tried multiple times to work digitally from the get-go, but it’s never felt quite the same,” she admits. Instead, she finds ways to incorporate digital tools into her existing workflow, leveraging technology to expand her creative possibilities rather than replace them.
Blockchain technology has added another dimension to her artistic practice, allowing her work to be seen worldwide. “It’s been awesome seeing how blockchain makes my art travel—it’s all over the world, literally, and I love that.”
Growth Through Art
Carole's journey as an artist has been filled with moments of doubt, joy, and everything in between. She sees the world through a grayscale lens—whether that’s a reflection of her dotwork or the reason she was drawn to it remains a mystery.
As a person, she struggles with the unknown, but as an artist, she embraces it. “I know where I’m going, but rarely how I’m gonna get there—and that’s the best part.” This perspective has granted her balance, both in life and in art.
The Smallest Details
While many artists cite other visual creators as their inspirations, Carole often turns to poetry and literature. Works like Crave by Sarah Kane, Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden, and Hiroshima mon amour by Marguerite Duras inform her creative worldview. Beyond words, she finds inspiration in everyday moments—a bird pecking at a wall, a freckle on a stranger’s temple, a clover growing through pavement cracks.
She acknowledges that originality is a greater concern when working with other mediums, such as watercolor or linoprinting, but in dotwork, her focus is on translating real subjects through her unique lens.
Change and Challenges
Adapting to Web3 and the digital space has required Carole to step outside her comfort zone repeatedly. Each challenge she encounters—whether technical or conceptual—contributes to her growth as both an artist and a person.
Keep Creating
Carole keeps her artistic aspirations simple: she just wants to keep creating. “Honestly, I just want to do what I do.”
For emerging digital artists interested in integrating cryptocurrencies into their work, her advice is straightforward: stay true to yourself. “It’s easy to get lost in what you think people want to see from you,” she warns. However, her experience has shown that the pieces where she was most herself are the ones that resonate most with others.
Her final words of wisdom? “Keep moving, keep evolving, keep exploring, keep creating. Just be yourself while doing it, and the right people will find you.”
Explore Carole's work on Gamma
