In our inaugural "Innovators at the Edge" interview, we sit down with Glen Wexler, a pioneering artist whose surrealistic imagery has captivated audiences for nearly four decades.
About Glen Wexler
Glen Wexler is renowned for his photorealistic digital imaging, creating improbable realities that blend elements of photography, CGI, and now, artificial intelligence. His work has graced nearly 400 album covers, including those for notable artists such as Van Halen, Black Sabbath, and ZZ Top. Wexler's journey in the visual arts began at Art Center College of Design, where a student project for Quincy Jones Productions launched his illustrious career in the music industry.
From Darkroom to Digital to AI
Wexler's artistic evolution mirrors the technological advancements in image creation. Starting with traditional darkroom techniques, he was an early adopter of digital imaging tools in the late '80s. By the late '90s, Wexler began incorporating CGI elements into his work. Today, he explores the potential of AI as another tool in his creative arsenal.
Why This Interview Matters
As AI continues to reshape creative processes across industries, Wexler's perspective offers valuable insights into how established artists can adapt to and leverage new technologies. His experience bridging multiple eras of image creation provides a unique vantage point from which to consider the impact of AI on artistic expression, ethics, and the future of visual arts.
In this interview, Wexler shares his journey of integrating AI into his artistic process, discusses the ethical considerations of using AI in art, and offers his vision for the future of creativity in the digital age.
Can you describe the moment or experience that inspired you to integrate AI into your artistic process? How has this integration changed the way you approach your art?
When I had an idea for an album cover project but didn’t have the budget to create specific elements for a photocomposition with new photography or CGI I experimented with AI and found that I could create the art assets I needed to integrate into a digital illustration. The process and results exceeded my expectations. It has since become a valuable tool for creating elements for my work and for fleshing out concepts.
Could you share with us your journey as an artist from the beginning? What were the key moments or influences that led you to explore and eventually integrate AI into your artistic process?
I had the opportunity to create photography for an album cover for Quincy Jones Productions when I was a student at Art Center College of Design. The multi-platinum project catapulted me into the music industry and provided the opportunity to create nearly 400 albums cover to date. Album cover art gave me a playground for creativity and experimentation to further develop works involving surrealistic narrative photographic compositions. These images typically combined multiple photographic elements that I would shoot separately and arrange in a manner to create an improbable photographic reality.
Originally, the “Improbable Realities” were created entirely in-camera and in the darkroom with analog technology. In the late ‘80s I had early access to digital image editing tools that began to replace the traditional darkroom. Beginning in the late ‘90s, I started to introduce CGI elements into the work as a substitute for practical props and set pieces. Today, AI adds another option to create elements to incorporate into photographic or digital compositions.
© Glen Wexler. Album cover art.
Transitioning to new methods and tools can be challenging. Can you describe your experience transitioning from traditional methods to incorporating AI and other new technologies in your work? How did this shift impact your creative approach and mindset?
My extensive experience with film photography and the “wet” darkroom informs every aspect of my digital workflow. First and foremost, my work is about an idea that is realized with the vision, craft, and lighting inherent to traditional photography.
The main shift to my workflow with AI is that there is more trial and error than when working with photography or CGI. The main shift to my creative approach is that there are opportunities to embrace unexpected results.
In what ways do you feel AI complements your creativity? Are there any unexpected ways AI has influenced your artistic vision?
AI is the new, power tool in the toolbox. In addition to asset creation for my photographic realistic work it has expanded into incorporating experimentation with painterly and graphic approaches when exploring concepts. There is an element of serendipity that now plays a greater role in the realization of an idea which provides the opportunity to follow unexpected directions for the final realization.
How has your art evolved since you began using AI? Could you share a specific piece or project that best represents this evolution?
Overall, my signature work creating previsualized surrealistic or improbable narratives hasn’t changed because of AI except the workflow has become more fluid and not locked into production sketches that are required as blueprints when working with set construction or CGI models.
AI created the opportunity to realize a conceptual art project specifically designed for generative art. My project, “AI on Acid”, which was released on the 80th anniversary of the discovery of LSD, was conceived to mirror the creations of visual artists who participated in the scientific research from 1958 to1962 that studied the correlation between psychedelics and creativity.
© Glen Wexler. AI on Acid series.
Could you walk us through your typical process of creating art with AI? How do you balance the technical aspects of AI with your artistic intuition?
Most often, I approach AI in a similar manner to photography or CGI for creating assets to be incorporated into a photo or digital composition. I create prompts that are refined and remixed until I successfully generate assets that suit the concept. The curation and editing of the generative assets are informed by my collective experiences and skills as a photographer, designer, and artist.
What ethical considerations do you think are important when using AI in art? How do you address these in your work?
AI can circumvent the need to learn craft and easily facilitate imitation and plagiarism. The issues concerning ethics are about how the tech is used. This is the same with photography or any other tool used to make images. In the hands of an artist, the prompts and curation to manipulate generative AI can result in a version of the craft and vision that has informed their work all along.
From the beginning of my career, I’ve always believed that when conceptualizing or creating an image, if it was looking familiar, it probably is, which means it’s time to move on and pursue another direction. Authenticity and originality are a priority in my art practice. As a safeguard, when I use AI, I run image searches of generated assets to ensure that similar images do not already exist online.
How do you view the relationship between the artist and AI? Is it a collaboration, a tool, or something else entirely?
I view AI as a tool but also as a collaborator because it will often “suggest” unexpected interpretations. This can be valuable in the exploratory stage of a project’s development. There are similarities to the collaboration a photographer or director might have with a production designer, stylist, art director, or anyone on their crew or team. The various collaborators will have visual references that might be uniquely theirs and could ultimately influence the decisions made during the creative process. A random thought or image might not be directly applicable, but it sometimes serves as a catalyst to shift or refine the overall direction.
How have audiences responded to your AI-influenced art? Have you noticed any differences in reception compared to your non-AI work?
I am grateful that my images using AI have been well-received for both assignment work and in the fine art market. That said, it’s interesting to see the abundant and vehement backlash to the technology in the press and on social media. It reminds me of the early days of digital image editing, and how art history recounts the reaction in the art world to the emergence of photography. With the ongoing evolution of technology, there seems to be a threatening perception and resistance when the craft of making images becomes easier and more accessible. There is the fear of misappropriation and abuse, and of the imagemaker becoming obsolete. These fears are not unfounded because mastering traditional craft and technique are not needed to produce images with AI. This is not unlike the shift in photography from film to digital when less skill was needed to capture photographic images.
AI further offers means for imitation and plagiarism, but this doesn’t negate its potential. In all the arts, and rampant in photography, there are those who craft and promote works that mimic the vision of others by simply repeating a conversation versus adding to it.
Could you tell us about the specific AI tools or technologies you currently use in your art? What about these tools appeals to you, and how do they align with your creative vision and objectives?
I’ve worked exclusively with Mid Journey for generative art creation and Topaz for upscaling because I’ve had success with these tools to generate the results that I’ve envisioned. Photoshop has also introduced AI capabilities for image editing.
Has working with AI impacted your personal growth as an artist? In what ways has it challenged or reinforced your artistic beliefs and values?
Overall, AI has facilitated the creation of images that would have not been economically feasible to create entirely with photography or CGI. It’s reinforced my art practice because it is a useful tool to achieve my vision.
In terms of artistic beliefs and values, I have always been a proponent of artist rights. There has been much discussion and strong opinions about scrubbing the web for machine learning. I know quite a bit about copyright law, but I don’t have absolute clarity if artist rights have been infringed. All creators are influenced and building on their lifetime of absorbing imagery. This is not infringement unless you are copying or making a derivative of someone else’s creation without their permission. AI uses machine learning to absorb images and exponentially expands the user’s ability to draw on references to express an idea. This too, I don’t believe is an infringement unless the tech is utilized to directly reproduce someone else’s work.
Vision of AI in Your Field: How do you envision the role of AI evolving in your specific field (e.g., painting, music, fashion) over the next decade?
The role of AI to create photographic imagery will surely grow because of the efficiencies and economic advantages it provides.
Are there any other emerging technologies that you're excited to explore or combine with AI in your work?
In terms of exploration and expanding my art practice, I’m most interested in the application of AI with immersive environmental projections.
In terms of emerging tech, AI is currently leading the way, but future generations of technology will involve quantum computing. It’s too early to know how this will impact making art but it will certainly make working with current computer assisted art seem like getting to your destination on a horse and buggy versus teleportation.
Given the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the use of AI in the creative and entertainment arts, what would you say to those who express concerns about its impact on the industry and the role of human artists?
The train has left the station and it’s not turning back. The concerns are real to the extent that much can be produced by those without authentic skill or vision, but this does not replace the role of the artist to create new and meaningful works. We can only hope there will be knowledgeable critics, educators, gallerists and influencers who will help to guide an audience to become more discerning to recognize innovation and authenticity.
Some argue that AI-generated art lacks the emotional depth and authenticity of human-created art. How would you respond to this criticism, and do you believe AI can capture or evoke genuine emotion in artistic works?
It can be argued that most “art” lacks emotional depth and authenticity. AI is a tool, as is a camera or a paint brush. It’s up to the individual artists to evoke genuine emotion in their work regardless of the tools they use.
Where do you see the future of AI in the creative arts heading? Are there any trends or potential developments that excite you?
Not unlike advances in photography and digital image editing, AI makes it easier for anyone to make images without developing craft. However, craft is nothing without vision and intent. As always, in all the arts it’s about the recognition and impact of individual artists who are innovating and pushing boundaries.
What advice would you give to artists who are curious about exploring AI in their creative process?
Let your creative experience, vision, and intent inform your exploration.
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