Dank Hooper
United Kingdom
AI Art experience
What excites me about integrating AI into my work is the ability to push creative boundaries in ways that feel almost limitless. Tools like Midjourney allow me to explore concepts with a new level of speed and precision. It’s thrilling to have technology that amplifies creativity while still allowing me to maintain full control over the artistic vision.
Personal experience
I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and I had an early obsession for character design and portraits, constantly doodling and decorating my living spaces with my creations. As I grew, I expanded into photography and Photoshop, which allowed me to capture and transform the world through my own perspective. Photography, in particular, taught me the art of framing and how crucial light is to shaping the final image. I especially loved working with natural light, experimenting with its placement to create the desired effect. There’s something about the way things unfold naturally around you, and those moments have always been a source of inspiration for me.
Unexpected thought
The most surprising realization I’ve had throughout this learning process is just how much more creative I am than I ever gave myself credit for. It’s been eye-opening to discover that the boundaries I thought existed were largely self-imposed. The more I explore, the more I realize my creativity has no limits—it just needed the right tools and mindset to flourish.
At 40 years old, I’m still attempting to navigate life with inattentive ADHD that went undiagnosed for far too long, which means my attention span is shot to bits. My 5-year-old daughter is the perfect little version of me, evolving in personality every day. She’s a genuine comedic genius, even if her antics can be a bit challenging at times!
And, I have to admit, I still moments where I cry to my favorite songs, no matter how many times I’ve heard them. There’s something about music that connects all the dots for me, tapping into my emotions and allowing me to recall old memories. It’s like a soundtrack to the beautiful chaos of life.
Published in >
The AI Art Magazine, Number 1
Chaos Portrait, AI generation, 2nd October 2024
Chaos Portrait, AI generation, 2nd October 2024.
Dank Hooper, Chaos Portrait, AI generation, 2nd October 2024
Description
Chaos, at its core, is the unpredictable and uncontrollable storm-both inside and within. For many, it’s not just about life’s external messes, but the mental storms that rage in our heads. ADHD, anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation make that internal chaos a daily juggling act, where some days you glide through it, and others, it feels like you’re barely hanging on.
But chaos doesn’t mean failure-it’s simply part of being human. It shapes our creativity, our resilience, and even our humour. If you can laugh at the absurdity of trying to manage the mental whirlwind while pretending you’ve got it together, you’re doing better than you think. We’re all juggling something behind the scenes, after all-it’s just part of the wonderfully chaotic human experience.
Process
This image served as the centrepiece for a series of 10, each representing different stages of ‘chaos’ or ‘personal turmoil,’ both internal and external, as well as metaphorical. Each piece conveys its own sense of discomfort or entrapment in response to an overwhelming force. Some figures appear at peace with this energy, while others seem to suffer under its weight. My goal was to capture a range of expressions, reflecting the shifting emotions that accompany the daily struggles of mental health.
Tools
For all my creations, I blend various tools: I use Midjourney for the initial concept, Magnific.ai for upscaling and refinement, and Photoshop to fine-tune colors and ensure consistency in the final piece.
Image credit:
