NesRox is a Houston-based artist who combines art and artificial intelligence to create visually stunning and thought-provoking pieces. With a lifelong passion for the arts, NesRox’s journey into digital art allows her to create without the constraints of traditional mediums. Fascinated by the potential of AI in the creative process, NesRox integrates AI-generated imagery into their digital illustrations, resulting in captivating and unique works of art. Their art focuses on celebrating the richness and complexity of the African continent, especially the beauty of Nigerian women from the Igbo tribe. NesRox’s mission is to inspire appreciation for diversity and empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got interested in both art and artificial intelligence?
My background is based on a lifelong love of the arts, which I first explored through more conventional means such as graphite, charcoal, acrylic paint, ink, and pottery. I really began to realize the potential of digital art as a vehicle for self-expression when the pandemic broke out. I found that the ability to create without the added mess and cleanup was liberating.
I didn’t start experimenting with artificial intelligence as a tool for making art until 2022. I first used it to produce basic concepts for a commission I was working on, but as time went on, I grew increasingly intrigued by the almost limitless possibilities that AI offered for art. I began to integrate AI-generated imagery into my digital illustrations, collaging them together to create unique and visually striking pieces.
What really captured my imagination was AI’s potential to support storytelling through my art. I started utilizing it to produce images of people of color, including their experiences and stories in my work. As an artist, it is this nexus of technology and art that propels me forward, and I can’t wait to see where it leads.
How do you see AI impacting the world of art and design, and how do you incorporate it into your own work?
AI is currently and will continue to revolutionize the world of art and design. From automating certain parts of the creative process, to helping artists create unique and innovative concepts and Ideas. The addition of new and innovative tools are pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms and creating entirely new process workflows.
Which AI tools do you use in your work?
I use a variety of AI tools in my work. MidJourney, Stable Diffusion, and Runway are a few of my main tools. Stable Diffusion allows me to experiment with generative models, whereas MidJourney helps me create many baseline, distinct and abstract images. Runway provides access to a variety of AI tools for editing still images and videos. I also try to explore new tools like Scenario and other developing platforms.
What do you believe is the potential for NFTs to revolutionize the art world, and how have you been involved in this space?
NFTs have the potential to completely transform the art world by giving artists new opportunities to promote and sell their work, as well as by fostering a more open and accessible art market. With the fusion of technology and art, NFTs enable the creation of a brand-new class of tradable, verifiable digital assets. As a result, there are now more chances for artists to connect with a worldwide audience, develop immersive, interactive experiences, and develop new sources of income.
I have been an artist, a social media manager, and a member of various communities during my time in the space. I have created and sold my own NFTs as an artist, and also created NFTs as part of commissions for and educational institution. I’ve tried a few platforms and online marketplaces to discover the one that suited my work the best. Using social media and community building to boost engagement and sales, I have assisted other artists and projects in expanding their online presence. I have also participated in conversations, offered resources, and networked with other creators and enthusiasts as a member of a number of NFT and blockchain forums.
How do you see the intersection of race and technology playing out in the art world, and how do you navigate this as a Black artist working with AI?
The intersection of race and technology in the art world is, and will remain, complex. As a Black artist working with AI, I am constantly navigating this landscape. Black artists have historically been underrepresented and marginalized in the art world, and the emergence of AI and digital art offers both new possibilities and difficulties.
On the one hand, AI has the potential to be a powerful instrument for examining and expressing the varied and complex nature of Black experiences, facilitating unique kinds of storytelling and creativity. On the other hand, the technology itself is not immune to the prejudices and biases of those who develop it. Because of this, I must be conscious of the possibility of systemic prejudices and preconceptions being reproduced in my work as a Black artist using AI. I navigate this challenge by being intentional in my use of the technology. In the end, I think the racial and technological intersection in the arts can be a revolutionary force, but only if we are careful and methodical in our approach.
Can you walk us through your creative process when creating an NFT piece? How do you decide on the subject matter and design elements?
When creating an NFT piece, I usually start with an idea that has been stuck in my head. I prompt in MidJourney, sometimes using custom models from StableDiffusion. Then, I bring the still outputs into Procreate to color grade, collage, and animate the work. Sometimes I incorporate other tools for inpainting, outpainting, upscaling, and video editing. My subject matter typically revolves around Nigerian women from the Igbo tribe, emphasizing features that are often not seen as beautiful. I aim to present surreal design elements in my work and add audio for my animations.
What do you hope to communicate or achieve through your art, both in terms of its aesthetic appeal and any deeper messages or themes you want to convey?
I try to communicate the richness and complexity of the African continent and the diversity of humanity in my art. I’ve always used painting as a method to express myself and encourage others to value their uniqueness. I put a lot of effort into portraying people of color in my artwork, especially Igbo women from Nigeria, as that is my family’s tribe of origin. I want to encourage others to appreciate the beauty in diversity by drawing attention to characteristics that are sometimes regarded as odd. My ultimate objective is for my art to make people feel seen and motivated.
How do you stay inspired and motivated in your work, and where do you look for inspiration?
I remain inspired by a variety of things, spending time in nature, listening to the stories told by family members, listening to Afrobeats and other styles of music hailing from African countries, watching movies, chatting and jumping on calls with art friends, and literature. Despite the inspiration that can be drawn from these things, it’s not always easy to stay motivated, so in order to prevent burnout, I try to prioritize my mental health. I make sure to take breaks from social media and working on new pieces when necessary. I exercise regularly, and engage in enjoyable things outside of work and digital art. Ultimately, maintaining my mental health is essential to keeping my motivation and creativity high.
What advice do you have for aspiring Black artists interested in exploring the intersection of art and technology?
My advice for aspiring Black artists interested in exploring the intersection of art and technology is to stay open to learning and be willing to experiment. It’s crucial to have a positive attitude, keep your head high, and come up with unique ways to spread your message through your art. Make connections with other artists, and keep working on your abilities. While making connections, however, take time to research online security, vet those who you’ve just meet, beware of pushy offers and weird links, listen to your gut, and always make sure the terms of any agreement are spelled out clearly in a contract. Above all, stay loyal to who you are and what you want, and use your creativity to share important stories and elevate unique perspectives.
You’re a part of the show Body Politic curated by yours truly, can you talk a bit about that experience and the piece ‘Cloudy Garden’ you created for the show?
I had an amazing experience being a part of the Body Politic SuperRare drop. It was an honor to have my work noticed and appreciated by others. I wanted to, once again, honor the beauty of melanated women and challenge society’s frequently constricting view of the black lady, so I created “Cloudy Garden.” I combined some animation techniques with digital collage and artificial intelligence to produce this piece. The last touch that further drew viewers into the magical realm of “Cloudy Garden” was the calming music that was added on top of the animation.
Lastly, how can people follow your work and support you as an artist?
You can support me in a number of ways! You can subscribe to my Lofi beats Youtube channel, NesRox Lofi Studio. You can also follow me on Twitter by my handle, @Nes_Rox, and on my newly created art Instagram page, @NesRoxStudio. For those interested in NFTs, you can find my “Celestial Coils” NFT collection on Foundation by searching “Celestial Coils” or following this link: https://foundation.app/collection/cc-1a8e. Additionally, my AiFrica collection, which is currently sold out, has pieces available on the secondary market on Opensea at the following link https://opensea.io/collection/aifrica. And, last but not least, my SuperRare genesis piece, “Cloudy Garden” is still available! You can find it at https://superrare.com/nesrox. I am currently taking private orders for physical art pieces but have been working on an official website for canvas prints and merch. Be sure to keep an eye on my social media for updates on that. Thank you so much for your support!
