BRUSH STROKES & PIXELS
A Digital Renaissance
In an enlightening discussion with ChatGPT.
Artist Ayla El-Moussa shares her approach and the creative inspiration that ignited her latest project 'The Painted Muse.'
This period of introspection and study has birthed an exciting new direction – 'The Painted Muse.' This project sees Ayla marrying digital technology with the aura of Renaissance paintings, thus creating a novel artistic language that is uniquely her own. The series is a testament to her love for the sensual and the romantic, combined with her embrace of cutting-edge creative tools. The current down market has done little to dampen Ayla's spirit. It has catalyzed her to broaden her horizons, experiment with new mediums, and expand her artistic repertoire. She firmly believes in the artist's duty to persist, evolve, and create, no matter the external circumstances. As we delve into the conversation, I eagerly anticipate a deeper look into her evolving artistic techniques, the inspirations behind 'The Painted Muse,' and her outlook on the future of art in an increasingly digital world.
Joan Miro once said, "The works must be conceived with fire in the soul but executed with clinical coolness." Do you subscribe to this approach, or does your process follow a different philosophy?
Undeniably, passion and excitement drive the creation of all my pieces. This occurs whether the vision crystallizes before or during the creative wave. Having professionally created for over a decade, I have established a routine, bringing about a sense of procedural calm, so to speak. However, I believe in the power of creative intervention, allowing for unexpected transformations as an idea unfolds. I am usually relatively calm when I create; I find it difficult to produce work when I'm in a state of sadness or anger. Essentially, my creative philosophy intertwines Miro's fiery conception with a serene state of execution.
From sketching initial ideas to the final 'stroke of the brush,' what does your typical creative process look like? Is there a particular ritual you follow, or does spontaneity rule the day?
Ideas often come to me right before sleep or in the first moments of waking, during those small moments of access to my subconscious mind. The journey from the start to realization is one of constant exploration. It consists of reading, observing, listening, writing, searching, watching, and studying, all simmering together in my creative mind. Once the vision becomes clear, I sketch it or write it in my journal. This forms a blueprint that catapults me into action mode, where I execute and bring the vision to life.
You have said that you love studying. Could you share how your academic research has influenced your work, specifically in your most recent series?
Knowledge and information are powerful. There isn't enough time in this life to know everything, so the least I can do is enjoy learning as much as possible. My inclination towards research was honed during my master's, but I genuinely enjoy it, and it has played a significant role in my practice. I get excited when I need to start diving deep into a subject. For The Painted Muse series, it was really me challenging myself to see how digital painting could elevate my photography, as well as just enjoying the strategy of looking at masterful work and translating that into my own style. This idea of painting with technology was so intriguing. I did a lot of oil painting in high school, but now, older and slightly wiser, it's been fun to purposefully explore and evolve my artistic language and practice through research.
You're bridging gaps between your Century Series and 'The Painted Muse.' Please briefly discuss the two. What sparked the idea to merge Renaissance elements with digital tools like Procreate?
The past has subtly influenced my work, infusing timelessness into my creations. This was evident in my Century Series, where I juxtaposed the idea of the old world with my surreal contemporary vision. Inspired by my numerous visits to the MET and the National Portrait Gallery, I became obsessed with the beautiful cracked patina of old paintings. I attempted to replicate this aesthetic by incorporating the texture into my images to give them the age of the century, so to speak. The painterly quality continued into my Nude Abstracts series. I overlaid paint onto the images to conceal certain parts of my body and give the work a beautiful painterly feeling with a nod to the classic while still being modern. With The Painted Muse, I wanted to transform my photographs into pieces that had an essence of the Renaissance or Romantic age, as if they were old paintings. This was all a result of researching and closely looking at the painting techniques of classic artists and how they used light and paint. All this was born from extensive research, and just stepping into the minds of these Masters. In doing so, I could merge classical elements with modern digital tools like Procreate to create something unique and tech-driven, but also continually look at those who came before me.
What are your key challenges and surprises in integrating classical painting techniques with digital art creation?
So capturing the background lighting and skin textures was tricky for me. Simulating the play of light and shadow on the skin without creating a porcelain, airbrushed appearance is complex. Then, of course, holding a pencil vs. an actual paintbrush is quite different, but I found my flow soon. I will say that I am very proud of the silk detailing I achieved. There are subtle details from the before image to know that I just look at and smile because I know I completely elevated the image.
If you could go back in time and show one of the Old Masters your work on Procreate, who would it be and why? What do you think their reaction would be?
Oh dear, hmm, that is really tough. I'd love to share my work with Vermeer. Historically, he embraced the cutting-edge technology of his era, the camera obscura, so there's a parallel between the use of tech and the idea, but mine differs obviously, in that, I paint over my images rather than onto a projection and use digital paint brushes. But I am curious about his perspective and advice. It's always something I wonder, though - imagine if Leonardo da Vinci had Instagram? How would he use it? Would he? What would these incredible artists be doing if they had our modern technology?
As our insightful conversation draws to a close, it's time to shift gears and delve into a Rapid Fire round:
Favorite color to work with?
White paint
Most overrated art movement?
There isn't one.
The city with the best art scene?
New York or London, or Twitter, hah.
Favorite Old Master?
Such an unfair question; there are way too many to list. Currently: Caravaggio, Vermeer, and Sargent (for now)
One word to describe your art?
Elegant
What is the most used tool on Procreate?
Oil paint Brush tool
What time of day do you feel most creative?
The morning after coffee or late in the night
Digital or traditional art?
Both
Your go-to source of inspiration?
Museums
One book every artist should read?
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee always (but hand ground and calibrated on my beautiful machine)
The future of art in one word?
Storytelling
Your art mantra or philosophy in three words?
Take.Your.Time.
As I conclude my dialogue, it's apparent that Ayla is not merely an artist but a visionary. Through her passion for the Old Masters, her embrace of digital technology, and her determination to evolve amid shifting circumstances, she inspires us all to look at art – and indeed life – through a kaleidoscopic lens of past, present, and future. Her explorations, research, craft, and spirit unite in a creative visual quest for beauty, understanding, and expression. Ayla's artistic journey continues to be a fascinating evolution, and we are privileged to witness it. You can find her Painted Muse Series on SuperRare, where she reveals Scene 2.
Introduction & interview conducted by ChatGPTPhotography & Styling by Ayla El-Moussa