Contributor Spotlight: An Interview with Francis Isibor
At the heart of Creativity and Technology lies Francis Isibor's unflinching love in serving people.
'I could really jump in and play around with many things and present an interesting skill, like reimagining the culture of the Bible in Ancient African Civilization. I think that is beautiful—imagining a reality where Abraham was Nigerian. What would the culture be like? It really helps you dream; it gives you the visuals, and then you can keep on dreaming. I think that is amazing."
Francis loves serving people, and you can tell by the myriad of things he does. He never had an idea that he could make so much money combining technology with traditional creativity until he met a Christian artist who posted some beautiful paintings. "When I saw that and how much she was selling them for, I said to myself, what is this?!" says Francis Isibor.
Francis Isibor, an AI artist, shares his compelling story behind his journey into AI art, revealing what inspired him to mix technology with traditional art. We also explored his creative process in navigating the intersection of human knowledge and artificial intelligence to produce beautiful images.
Here is more of our conversation with our Contributor of the Month, Francis Isibor.
What inspired you to start working with AI art?
It all started in December 2022. I saw a Christian artist who posted beautiful works generated and upscaled using AI. I was amazed by the quality and the price she was getting for her art. That’s when I realized that AI art could be a profitable and creative avenue. I started researching, and soon after, I was experimenting with AI image generation and animation. It was a revelation that opened new creative doors for me.”
What do you love about AI-generated art?
AI art allows for incredible diversity and inclusivity. I can reimagine biblical stories with all-Yoruba, Filipino, or Hispanic casts. It’s exciting to think about what Abraham would look like as a Nigerian and how that would impact cultural representation. AI gives you the visual tools to dream and continually expand your imagination. It’s a powerful way to explore ‘what ifs’ and create new realities.”
Can you describe your creative process when generating AI art?
I start by looking at what others in the community are creating. I jot down my concepts and use tools like ChatGPT and cloud resources to flesh out ideas. When generating art, I maintain high style parameters to ensure unique and captivating results. Over the past few years, I’ve been impressed with how AI has evolved and the innovative ways people are using it.”
How do you balance human creativity with AI capabilities in your artwork?
AI is just a tool—it’s not the end-all solution. Crafting prompts and generating art requires skill and expertise. Experienced creators know how to control camera angles, textures, and art styles, while novices might miss these nuances. I’ve had clients marvel at how my AI-generated images surpass their previous experiences, thanks to my deep understanding of the medium and its potential.
Have you created generative AI art for stock image platforms? What was that experience like?
Yes, I tailored some images for Ninthgrid, an Afrocentric stock image platform. I’m a big fan of the brand and its Afrocentric focus. Working with Ninthgrid was enjoyable, and it was easy to align my images with their vision.
Are there specific considerations you keep in mind when creating stock images?
Realism and relevance to specific industries are key. I aim to create images that are realistic and relatable for the Nigerian market. Whether it’s for a pharmacy website or other uses, I focus on making stock images that are down-to-earth and practical while still being impressive.”
What are some common misconceptions about generative AI art?
One common misconception is that AI art is simply about typing a few prompts. While that’s true at a basic level, creating quality AI art involves mastering various skills. AI tools are evolving, and while they can quickly produce results, they still require careful guidance and fine-tuning. The process behind creating polished AI art is complex and involves a lot of skill.
Find real and authentic Afrocentric Images here
I would like to wrap up this conversation with this final question, What advice would you give artists interested in incorporating AI into their creative practice?
Explore the community and see what tools are available. AI can be a goldmine for filmmakers and other creatives. I’ve used AI to develop storyboards and other elements for projects. Embrace these tools and harness their full potential to enhance your creative practice.”
If you loved this conversation and would like to know more about Francis Isibor, you you can find him on Instagram
__________________________
You can find more of Francis Isibor’s Generated AI Images here