Generative art process

Whilst process can vary slightly between collections, I find lots of inspiration in the world around me and often find creativity through the challenge of recreating experiences and textures using code. Once an idea comes I have an urgency to get to work on it right away (often regardless of other perceived priorities).

My main tool for creating art is JavaScript. Although I started creating art with Processing and see frameworks like p5.js as an excellent tool for creation, I have come to embrace the challenge of working with vanilla JavaScript, without frameworks, because it allows me to create completely on-chain art using Cardano NFTs as a medium. In addition to JavaScript I also use Python to compile collections.

My process usually starts with an empty html file open in VS Code and the start of an idea. I like to code until I have all of my thoughts laid out before me, deferring viewing the result until the code is substantially complete.

Then starts a process of experimentation and visual verification where the improvised piece is refined and fine tuned. I will often throw extreme values into my pieces to test the outcomes, generating forms beyond my imagination or original intention. This can occasionally change a single idea, create offshoots and other pieces, or develop the concept a collection is built around.

If the piece is a single work, the creative process is largely complete and I will begin the process of converting the piece ready to be minted on chain. However, if the code is intended to be a part of a collection I will continue testing to set the boundaries of variables and once I am happy, I compile abstracts of code using bespoke software which generates the program variations and produces everything needed to mint the final pieces.