Passion Projects: Turning Hobbies into Artistic Expressions

In her free time, Ali Paras, the fantastic Community Manager at Wirex, is not only rocking her role but also creating incredible AI art.

Check out our recent Q&A with Ali where she shares her awesome experience!

How do you come up with ideas for your unique and innovative AI art?

When it comes to AI creation, my main aesthetic is to infuse whimsical magic into the ordinary, inviting viewers to step into a world where the familiar is reimagined and reinvigorated. Having that in mind, I get inspiration from my surroundings and daily life. I ask myself, what world do I want to be in? What structure or character or piece of clothing do I want to sprinkle a little magic over.

Were there any specific influences or role models that inspired the direction of your artistic expression?

My interest has always leaned towards the creative aspects of life, particularly in my hobbies. Various sources of inspiration captivate me and drive me to further explore ideas through AI. In the realm of fashion design, I draw inspiration from the likes of Rei Kawakubo, Alexander McQueen, Iris Van Herpen, and Gareth Pugh. In architecture, the works of Luis Barragan, Zaha Hadid, and Kengo Kuma fascinate me. As for photography, I admire David Burdeny, Gianni Berengo Gardin, Elliott Erwitt, among many others. Additionally, the AI community is a tremendous source of inspiration, filled with highly creative individuals who possess unique and stunning imaginations. It's truly amazing to witness their work. Also on a slight side note, the AI art community has been one of the best communities to be a part of. The support and positivity have been phenomenal! Balancing a creative pursuit with other aspects of life can be challenging.

How do you manage your time and maintain enthusiasm for your artistic expression?

For me, this is a form of escapism. What better way to de-stress than by creating magical worlds that you can pretend to be a part of, if only for a short while? I don’t think I would ever lose enthusiasm for it. Granted there are times where the ideas don’t come as freely, but when that happens, I take a break and pursue some other hobbies and then come back to it.

How has your approach to AI art evolved over time? Have there been any unexpected turns or breakthroughs that significantly impacted your artistic expression through artificial intelligence?

Since I began this journey, there has been a considerable transformation. Initially, mastering the art of crafting prompts was a challenge, and it's something I continue to improve upon. My approach to prompts has evolved substantially over time. Moreover, with each new release of AI platforms, it often becomes necessary to revisit and revise prompts to achieve the results I'm aiming for. Additionally, I've delved into researching and understanding a wide array of terms related to art, photography, structure, clothing, and colour. This research has significantly broadened my understanding and vocabulary in these areas.

If your AI art creations could experience human emotions, which emotion do you think would resonate the most with the essence of your work, and why?

Oh, this is a tricky question! I think it varies from time to time. Some are more playful and fun, while others are more melancholic and whimsical. I think ultimately the overall emotion would be hopeful enchantment.

Reflecting on your journey in AI art, what would you consider to be your most significant achievement or milestone thus far?

Certainly, there have been several highlights, but participating in an AI fashion contest ranks among the top experiences for me. My work has been exhibited in galleries in New York and Milan, which is significant, but the real thrill comes from having my creations showcased before industry icons. We're currently in the midst of the second season, and everyone is eagerly competing for votes to secure a spot in the top 20. The victors will have the honour of their digital collections being reproduced by Revolve, which is an exciting and substantial opportunity.

Many people have hobbies, but not everyone takes the step to turn them into something more. What motivated you to take your hobby to the next level and participate in the AI Fashion Competition?

For me, the motivation to elevate my hobby to a higher level and join the AI Fashion Competition was driven by a desire to challenge myself and avoid future regrets about unexplored opportunities. I believe that AI is still in its early stages, with incredible potential yet to be uncovered. I'm eager to be involved in this evolving field. In essence, my guiding principle in making this leap has been a simple yet powerful question: why not?

Has your AI art had an impact on your personal growth or perspective on life? If so, in what ways?

I think it has had a positive effect. Delving into this world has allowed me to grow my knowledge on many different facets. Not only by learning AI programmes, but prompting, stylistic glossaries and so on. But if I am completely honest, it has helped me stay calm and allowed me to escape a little when life gets hard. It has forced me to step out of my bubble and not only talk to new people but build friendships; ones that I didn’t think would be significant but are! This community has shown me that we are all searching to connect. That we are all escaping from life at times. And, that we have all come together to create magical images to help us cope, get inspired, and carry on.

Want to see Ali's amazing AI art? Head over to her Instagram account! 

Follow @alxndraai