Meet Dona Mara!
Introducing Dona Mara (IG: @donamara.ai), a trailblazing AI artist and UX/UI designer from Lisbon with a background in photography, who fearlessly embraces the surreal and magical in her stunning digital creations.
With an imaginative blend of unconventional fashion, portraiture, and fantasy elements, Dona Mara's dreamlike artworks transport viewers to captivating alternate realities. Her keen eye for visual storytelling imbues each piece with a thought-provoking depth, whether it's a fantastical portrait or an avant-garde fashion composition.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got interested in AI art?
My name is Mara, a UX/UI designer based in Portugal. Over the years, my creative traversing the mediums of sketching, oil paintings, photography, and the digital tools like Photoshop. Today, a new element has been added into this tapestry: AI.
Access to ever-evolving technology changed the creative process, but not my creative voice. AI has become a powerful amplifier, allowing me to project that voice with greater clarity, impact, and freedom. I can now express myself in a way that was previously unimaginable.
This past year, with AI, has been a period of unparalleled productivity and exploration, inspiring me to see the world through a fresh creative lens.
Who or what are your artistic inspirations, and if you had the opportunity to collaborate with any artist, who would it be, and why?
My major artistic inspiration are probably movies, tv shows, music videos...
I love how they build entire worlds, from the characters and locations to the costumes and sets.
Several artists really stand out for me: Björk and all the amazing people she works with: Jean-Baptiste Mondino, Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Alexander McQueen, Chris Cunningham and other directors, fashion designers, and visual artists.
Then there's Tarsem Singh, the director behind 'The Fall' and 'The Cell' – his fantastical movies are incredible. Eiko Ishioka, the costume designer who worked on those same films – her creations are both weird and wonderful.
What I love about all of them? They're not afraid to be different. They embrace the strange and the magical, and they tell stories that stay with you long after the credits roll. That's the kind of creative impact I hope to have someday.
Can you share a specific artwork or moment that transformed your perspective on AI art?
I'm particularly proud of this piece I created with AI, I've been creating images with humans and their *familiars in an old and modern world.
It features a human and their demon companion working together in a modern world. I even wrote a little story about them:
"Sam and Carl, the demon, own a small company that designs tailor nightmares. Their clients vary by their karma. The company slogan is: "You get what you give."
This image cracks me up because I can imagine their whole world - the office, the website, even their holiday spots. The cool thing with AI is that I can actually explore these ideas and bring them to life!
You can create anything with AI, any-thing, and you chose "Something by James Jean". Why? If you use Ai to copy other artist, you're using it wrong.
*They accompany witches, sorcerers, or other ''cunning folk'' and provide them with magical powers, guidance, protection, or healing.
What advice or encouragement would you give to aspiring women and non-binary folks who are interested in pursuing AI art?
The best advice I can give? Dive right in! There are amazing YouTube channels teaching AI art, and Instagram's full of inspiring accounts showcasing what's new. Plus, tons of platforms offer free trials or daily access – it's a fantastic starting point.
AI art is wide open, and your unique perspective is exactly what this field needs! So forget waiting, grab those free trials, and start creating! The more you experiment, the faster you'll find your own artistic voice with AI.
For more of Dona Mara’s incredible work, make sure to visit her Instagram account: @donamara.ai