Meet LeMoon!
Introducing LeMoon (IG: lemoon.synthography), a uniquely imaginative AI artist hailing from Nice, France. With a creative past rooted in TV production and video game marketing, LeMoon brings a distinctive flair to the world of AI art. Her works are a blend of nostalgia and disturbance, echoing the vibes of the 80s and 90s with a twist that transforms fun dreams into weird nightmares. LeMoon's art, exhibiting worldwide and featuring in the realm of NFTs, delves into her memories, personal experiences, fears, and dreams. Her style, which she aptly terms 'absurd realism,' navigates through the unconventional and surreal, presenting a vivid tapestry of themes that challenge and captivate. Experience the intriguing world of LeMoon in this insightful interview.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got interested in AI art?
I’m Melody 'LeMoon' Bossan, an AI artist with a creative background in Video production and marketing based in Nice, France, blending old-school vibes with the digital age. I’m also a mom of 3yo Esmée-Rose.
I used to be a very busy kid, playing the piano and dancing intensively from age 3 to 15. I’ve always been very attracted to images, video games and 3D animation. So naturally, I studied multimedia and quickly fell in love with filmmaking. My dad didn’t want to support me in this path, so, my only hope to make it was through the film school called La Fémis in Paris, which is free but super selective (6 spots for 2000 candidates). I presented this crazy competition to enter the school and arrived 10th. My dreams were crushed. So I decided to start working in the next best thing, TV.
After 12 years, I was burnt out, so I quit my job, traveled the world by car, and had my daughter Esmée-Rose during COVID. I became a full-time mom. It was during this time that I first heard about these text-to-image tools in August 2022. I immediately felt a strong attraction to them. It felt a bit like magic to create images from language, allowing me to materialize all the crazy ideas I had in my head. Beyond that, I believe it unlocks the full potential of people's creativity.
Then came NFTs. I saw a symbiosis, but was a bit tech-scared by Twitter, wallets, cryptos, gas fees, mints and scammers, so I postponed this exploration until June 2023. It’s when I first heard about Fellowship and SuperChief on Instagram. So I went to Twitter and started answering to artistic Open Calls. I learned the Twitter lingo and started posting GMs and GNs. Curations are great when you don’t have a name yet on Twitter. The best out there are Fellowship for sure, but opportunities are everywhere. Being a finalist in the Claire Silver contest helped a lot putting me on the map and I encourage all AI artists to enter the contest she organizes every trimester.
Who or what are your artistic inspirations, and how do they influence your work?
My major artistic inspirations often come from the collision of the analog past and the digital present. Being a child of the '80s and navigating adulthood in the digital era, I find a treasure trove of ideas in this crossover. From pop culture, to TV and video games. I’m also a big fan of 20th-century avant-garde artists like Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso, Rousseau, Cocteau, or Salvador Dalí. Living in the south of France in Nice, where they all spent some time, left a significant mark on me growing up.
On a filmmaking level, I draw inspiration from Michel Gondry for his mastery of practical effects, Tim Burton for his dark and weird approach, and Quentin Tarantino for his impeccable storytelling and retro style appropriation.
How do you approach the creative process when working with AI?
Approaching the creative process with AI feels like a dance—a rhythmic exchange between structured prompts and chaotic experimentation. Crafting the perfect prompt is absolutely crucial. I often turn to Midjourney to fine-tune my ideas or even overcome those tricky language barriers. And if I ever hit a creative block, tools like 'chaos' and 'describe' act as these wonderful sparks, injecting a bit of unpredictability into the mix.
Unlike traditional mediums, AI's rapid iteration often challenges my decision-making. It's this delicate balance between controlling the output and embracing the unexpected. Working with AI demands a different rhythm compared to traditional methods, but these surprises often lead to new and exciting directions. Those happy accidents are sometimes the birthplace of the best ideas, and that's what keeps the creative flow going. With AI, it feels more like having a partner or an entity working alongside you in the creative journey.
How do you balance your work in AI art with other professional or personal pursuits?
Juggling multiple roles can be quite the act! Right now, I'm all in on my AI artistic dream while wearing my mom hat proudly. It's a bit of a challenge without family nearby to help with my daughter, but now that she's in school, I'm making the most of that precious time. Managing everything from accounting to socials, promoting my work, finding commercial opportunities, and creating art—it's a whole symphony, really.
The trick, I've found, is to never let boredom creep in. I'm not a fan of specific schedules for creating; I like the freedom to let ideas flow whenever they strike. It's all about following the vibes and creating on a feeling level. The only time I set in stone is when there's a deadline, and surprisingly, that makes me a whole lot happier. Plus, with these creation tools on mobile now, it feels like the creative party never stops!
How has working with AI in art influenced your mental and emotional wellbeing?
Working with AI art has been a real game-changer for my mental and emotional well-being. It's like this therapeutic journey where I get to pour my emotions, face fears, and really dive deep into the layers of my mind. There's this cathartic magic, turning all those intangible feelings into something tangible and artistic.
Sure, it has its challenges, but the overall impact is super positive. It's like this creative haven that's great for my mental health. The unpredictability, the back-and-forth with AI—it's not just me expressing myself; it's like this ongoing, dynamic chat with technology that keeps things exciting and always evolving.
It has truly awakened something in me that had been muted for so long.
How do you engage with the broader AI and digital artist community?
Connecting with the broader AI and digital artist community is crucial for my artistic journey. Through various platforms, group chats, collaborations, challenges, and events, I engage with fellow artists, sharing experiences and gaining inspiration from their unique perspectives. This interaction is not only artistically enriching but also personally fulfilling, it gives a sense of belonging in a dynamic and supportive community. Participation in discussions, group actions, and insights sharing cultivates a collective growth mindset, providing opportunities for learning, friendship, and exposure to diverse approaches within the AI art family. The community serves as a vital source of encouragement, igniting creativity and expanding the limits of what's achievable in this super fast evolving landscape.
What advice or encouragement would you give to aspiring women who are interested in pursuing AI art?
For aspiring women venturing into AI art, I'd offer this encouragement: Embrace your unique perspective, and don't shy away from the possibilities AI unlocks. Don’t be scared of Discord or Twitter, or to reach out to the AI community (most of us are really nice). You're not too old or too busy; there are no excuses left. You can literally create while commuting or in your bed. You're enough, even if you lack a super creative background or artistic knowledge. Learning happens along the way. Your experience and your feelings are your voice. Learn, experiment, and enjoy the journey. Trust your intuition and use AI as a tool to amplify your creativity. Don’t be ashamed to copy other’s prompts, this is the way to get better. Build a supportive community, seek mentorship, and celebrate even small successes. Remember, your voice is essential in shaping the narrative of AI art. Embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and most importantly, enjoy the process. The future of AI art is brighter with diverse voices, and your contribution is invaluable.
For more of LeMoon’s incredible work, make sure to visit her Instagram account: @lemoon.synthography