Hand-painted VR mixed with AI accompanied by a fusion of electronica + classical music.
I am back again at V-Unframed! This will be my third time showcasing experimental work that combines art with emerging media. The first year, I demonstrated an amazing VR world which still lives today on the ENGAGEVR platform. Last year, my friends and I created a pre-game conceptual piece in unity introducing AI as a voice agent. It was set in my version of the Lord of the Rings World. This year, I've used AI again to bring life to my images as part of a conceptual movie trailer for future works. What will come next year? I have no idea! Technologies are changing fast and if anything, I've been pivoting right, left and center yet keeping focused on my signature imaginative pieces. Several of these images will be hosted at the City of Richmond's Public Art installation 2026.
Fur, Fish and Flight
The first concept was featured at WebSummit2025 on three interactive wall screens. This year, it returned as a small video with additional animations. I was happy to bring back my co-collaborator and amazing electronica music composer Jonathan Bierman to the mix. His music really brought a sense of sophistication to the project especially as he was able to convince Adam Lastiwka (Gears of War) to provide a classical guitar sample that Jonathan was able to infuse with an electronica beat straight from the future. I look forward to doing more work with him and of course to enjoy his live electronica shows around the city.
Q. What does my art represent?
A. Eco-Tourism over the summer reached peaked levels and folks from all over the world flocked here with their cameras and video equipment. My work represents a celebration of what nature created for us representing animals from all over BC.
The BIG Picture:
My work over the past six years has been devoted to exploring awe and wonder; pathways back to our innocence; to the tender, vulnerable selves where our deepest brilliance and creativity reside. When we forget the moments of joy, love, and genuine connection that shape us, we risk losing the very sense of purpose that fuels us.
My work aims to capture how art makes us feel. I translate meaning through sensory experiences, blending archival material, pop culture, and emerging technologies into a series of “aha” moments that invite self-reflection and critical thought.
Q: How did I use AI?
A: Incorporating AI into my project was not as easy as I had thought even though I had so many options from which to choose. I used kaiber and kling to fill out the animations but made sure that they was based on my own art style and renderings. Sometimes my experiments worked, but other times not so much. If AI is used as an assistant to the creator; an instrument that enables the artist to fulfill their vision, then I support its utility. But of course, there are ethical implications to its use that continue to propel caution and discussion.
Thank you V-Unframed. I was so proud to share this project that celebrates innocence, joy and humor with you. It is these qualities that make us truly human and enable us to harken back to an age that values love, originality and a sense of innocence.
