FROM STORY TO SURREAL The unseen process behind the art

Each piece starts with a story I want to tell. Once I can see it clearly in my head, I ask myself what more I can add to express it better. That’s one of my favorite parts, letting new ideas flow and mixing them with the original thought. It’s like adding seasoning to a meal; it brings the whole thing to life.

Then I spend a few days in AI, creating around 50 to 100 images. They’re not finished artworks, just raw material that I’ll later bring into Photoshop. Since I used to mix free stock photos years ago, putting together legs, clothing, and faces, I became very careful about posture, angles, and proportions. I still apply that same precision when using AI.

Once I’ve gathered enough material, I build the final composition in Photoshop. I remove backgrounds, match colors, and add shadows until it all feels natural. That usually takes a week or two. Then I move the piece into Lightroom for dramatic color work. I usually create about five different color versions to experiment with, then bring those back into Photoshop. From there, I blend sections together, playing with contrast and tone until everything feels complete.

When the art is done, I write the description. I start with a draft, then refine it until it fits the piece perfectly. I love weaving in metaphors and hints of hidden meaning. Writing usually takes a full day, but it feels worth it when the story and image finally connect.