Part 1: About Me – The Mind Behind Highdellic
Hi, I’m Shaih (not my real name but close) – the founder, artist, and eye behind Highdellic who lived in London, UK for 40+ years
I’ve been into art since the early 2000s. I started with two years in a beginner foundation course in Art & Design, including proper old-school photography using manual SLR cameras (back when digital cameras weren’t even common). Then I went on to study advanced art and design for over three years – long before computers were good enough for proper digital art.
After that, I did about three years in architecture and concept design at university, but had to drop out due to high costs. Even while working various jobs, I always made time to sketch, draw, and experiment. Most of my artwork was created before AI even knew how to pass a CAPTCHA test – back when it was still a baby learning to recognise traffic lights.
Then came the pandemic, and like many people, everything paused. I stepped away from art for a while. But last year, I came back to it with a goal: to finally try and earn something from my artwork, doing what I love between jobs.
That’s where Highdellic comes in — a digital art project focused on one of my biggest fascinations: the human eye. It’s expressive, mysterious, and totally unique in every person. Each piece you see here is hand-drawn digitally by me using a pen and tablet. No AI generation involved — just time, experimentation, and lots of patience. I do use smart brushes or add-ons sometimes to bring out details, but everything is created manually, one eye at a time.
Thanks for visiting and supporting original digital art. There’s a lot more to come.
=====================
Part 2. Highdellic Origin Story
The Birth of Highdellic: How Art and Friendship Created a Unique NFT Vision
In the world of digital art, opportunities are endless—but for a group of friends from various art colleges and universities, a shared dream brought them together to create something truly unique. This is the story of how Highdellic was born—a collective vision that turned into an NFT art platform, built on creativity, collaboration, and an eye for the extraordinary.
🎨 From Passion to Passive Income
As students and emerging artists, we were always exploring ways to turn our creativity into a sustainable source of income. Traditional art sales were competitive, and making a living solely from artwork required a strong presence in the industry. That’s when the idea struck: What if we combined our skills and built a digital space where our work could thrive in the NFT world?
Instead of working in isolation, we joined forces, each contributing in different ways—some focused on creating digital masterpieces, others on marketing, storytelling, and the technical side of running an online marketplace. Highdellic.com was born not just as a marketplace but as a movement to showcase innovative, one-of-a-kind digital art.
👁️ Why Eyes? The Infinite Possibilities
In the early days, our art styles were diverse, but we needed a unifying theme—something never done before, something that carried meaning and limitless creative potential. The answer was right in front of us: the eye.
Eyes have been a symbol of mystery, perception, and expression across cultures and history. Every eye tells a story, holds emotions, and connects with the viewer on a personal level. More than that, the possibilities were infinite. We could craft surreal eyes, mechanical eyes, cosmic visions, fantasy worlds within irises, and much more. No two pieces would ever be the same, and that’s what made it special.
🚀 Turning Vision into Reality
Creating Highdellic wasn’t easy—it took months of planning, refining ideas, and overcoming technical and creative hurdles. From brainstorming designs to setting up our online store, every step involved passion and dedication.
We also realised that producing and publishing digital art wasn’t just about creating the piece itself. Each artwork had to go through a rigorous process: refining, rechecking details, transferring files, creating mockups, photography, writing descriptions, and preparing email promotions and marketing materials. It was more than just ‘upload and sell’—it was a full-fledged creative production.
🔮 The Future of Highdellic
Now, with Highdellic live and evolving, we are on a mission to bring eye-themed digital art to collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. Our journey is just beginning, and we’re excited to see where this vision takes us.
⚡ The Challenges We Faced
We were going well, then the pandemic hit, forcing us to put everything on hold. With everyone struggling to balance personal and professional commitments, we had no choice but to close the website as none of us had time to maintain it.
Last year, we decided to revive and relaunch Highdellic.com, hoping to pick up where we left off. However, we soon found ourselves facing a new challenge—the rise of AI-generated art.
=====================
Part 3. The Interview
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in digital art?
A: I’ve always had a passion for visual storytelling and experimenting with creative tools. I began exploring digital art seriously after trying different forms of illustration and design. What drew me in was the flexibility — the ability to sketch, refine, and manipulate visuals all within one digital space using a pen and tablet.
Q: What inspired the creation of Highdellic, and what does the name represent?
A: Highdellic was born out of a collaboration between friends from art college who wanted to build something unique together. The name blends "high" — as in elevated, bold, or visionary — with "psychedelic," reflecting the vibrant, surreal energy behind our designs. It’s a studio built around imaginative digital art that sparks curiosity.
Q: How did the idea of eye-themed art come about? Is there a deeper meaning behind it?
A: I spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of concept hadn’t really been done before in a meaningful or focused way. That’s when the eye came to me — as a subject that’s universally recognisable, emotionally powerful, and endlessly customisable. Eyes hold identity, mystery, and symbolism. Each one I create is like a different character or story, captured in a single look.
Creative Process – Interview Answers
Q: Walk us through your creative process — how do your digital artworks come to life?
A: Each piece starts with a concept, usually sparked by a mood, colour, or visual theme I want to explore. I work using a pen and tablet, drawing directly into software like Krita and Affinity. I don’t use AI to generate my art — everything is hand-crafted digitally. I often experiment with add-ons or smart brushes to add depth, texture, and unique effects, but the core of the artwork is always hand-drawn.
Q: Do you use any specific techniques or tools in your process?
A: Yes, I rely on pressure-sensitive drawing tools with my tablet, which gives me control over every stroke. I also explore different brush types and layer styles to simulate traditional techniques in a digital space. I like pushing what digital tools can do creatively, without automating the art itself.
Q: How do you decide on the colours, patterns, and emotions conveyed in each piece?
A: A lot of it is instinctive — I play with bold contrasts and unusual palettes to evoke curiosity or emotion. Since my work often centres around the human eye, I treat each piece like a portrait of emotion or energy, using colour and form to tell a story without words.
Website & Business – Interview Answers
Q: What can visitors expect to find on Highdellic.com?
A: Highdellic.com is a curated digital gallery and shop featuring my original eye-themed artwork. Each piece is unique — hand-drawn digitally — and available as high-quality canvas prints, framed pieces, or as collectable digital editions. The site also showcases featured collections, news updates, and behind-the-scenes insights into the art and process.
Q: You’ve also added print-on-demand merch — what kind of products are available?
A: Alongside art prints, we offer a growing range of branded merchandise including clothing, accessories, and home decor, all featuring original artwork and the Highdellic logo. We use print-on-demand services to keep it sustainable — each item is made to order, which reduces waste and allows us to offer more variety.
Q: How do you handle production and shipping? Do you work with partners like Printify?
A: Yes, for physical products, we partner with Printify. They help us produce high-quality prints and merch, and they manage fulfilment globally. This allows us to focus on creating art while ensuring that customers receive well-made products, no matter where they are.
Art Meets Tech – Interview Answers
Q: How has the rise of digital art and online marketplaces shaped your business model?
A: It’s completely changed what’s possible for independent artists. I no longer have to rely on galleries or middlemen — I can create, publish, and sell directly to an audience through my website and platforms like Rarible. Digital tools give me full control over my art and how it's presented, while online marketplaces expand my reach globally.
Q: Do you see yourself as more of an artist or an entrepreneur — or both?
A: Definitely both. Art is at the core, but building Highdellic into a business means learning marketing, e-commerce, production, and even community management. It’s a challenge, but I enjoy that balance — making something meaningful and sustainable.
Q: How do you ensure your art remains authentic and unique in a saturated digital world?
A: I don’t follow trends — I follow curiosity. Every piece is created by hand, using a pen and tablet. I don't rely on AI to generate my work. Instead, I experiment with brushes and digital tools to push boundaries while keeping the art personal. The eye theme itself is unique, but it's the attention to detail and originality behind each one that sets it apart.
Community & Engagement – Interview Answers
Q: Do you have a community around Highdellic — how do you connect with fans and collectors?
A: Yes, the community is growing steadily, and it's something I care deeply about. I connect through platforms like Twitter (X), TikTok, and YouTube, where I share new art, behind-the-scenes content, and updates. I’m also building an email list to keep collectors and fans in the loop with product drops, blog stories, and more personal insights.
Q: You’ve been active on social media and TikTok — how do these platforms help promote your work?
A: They’re essential for reaching new audiences. TikTok especially lets me show the creative process and the detail behind the artwork, while Twitter is great for real-time updates and community building. These platforms help give the art context — it’s not just a product, it’s part of a story people can follow and connect with.
Q: Are there any upcoming events, releases, or collaborations we should look out for?
A: Yes, I’ve started developing a second collection featuring eye-themed art in a tiled, pattern-based style — it offers a different visual approach while still fitting within the Highdellic universe. I also have more releases planned across both collections. That said, I’m pacing the rollout due to the workload involved in producing, refining, and launching each piece properly. Quality and originality come first, so while things may not be rushed, there’s definitely more on the way.
Philosophy & Vision – Interview Answers
Q: What do you hope people feel when they see your artwork?
A: I hope they feel something unexpected — a sense of curiosity, wonder, or even reflection. Eyes are powerful symbols, and each one I create is designed to evoke a feeling without telling the viewer what to think. It’s about making space for interpretation, while still offering visual impact.
Q: Do your pieces tell a story, or are they open to interpretation?
A: They’re definitely open to interpretation. I see them more like visual characters or emotional snapshots. Some people see strength, some see sadness, or even something mystical — and I love that. The art speaks differently to everyone, and that’s part of its magic.
Q: What role do you think digital art plays in today’s culture or even mental health?
A: I think digital art is more accessible than ever — both to make and to experience. That opens the door for more expression, connection, and escape. Art has always played a role in how people process their emotions or find meaning. With digital platforms, artists can now share work instantly, and that kind of visibility can be comforting, inspiring, or healing in different ways.
Future Plans – Interview Answers
Q: Where do you see Highdellic in the next few years?
A: I’d love for Highdellic to grow into a recognised platform for original, eye-based digital art — not just as wall art, but across creative formats like apparel, music visuals, or even installations. Long-term, I’m building a studio that can support ongoing collections and allow for more artistic freedom and collaboration.
And yes — obviously, I need to earn from this too. Art is passion, but also a career path I’ve chosen. The goal is to make it financially sustainable, so I can reinvest into better tools, time, and creative opportunities without burning out.
Q: Any advice for aspiring digital artists or those looking to turn their art into a business?
A: Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you start. Just begin, keep experimenting, and stay true to your style. Learn how to manage both the creative and business sides — even if it’s messy at first. Most of all, don’t let trends define your work. If you create from an honest place, people will notice.
==================