Hey, art adventurers! 🎨 Ready to explore the exciting world of AI art with us?
Today, we’re turning the spotlight back on the Exquisite Workers crew — and this time, we’re beyond excited to give you an up-close look at our ever-inspiring muse: the renowned painter Francien Krieg, with over 20 years of artistic experience.
So grab your favorite snack, get cozy, and get ready for a story worth telling — and sharing across borders and countries!
1. Can you tell us about your background and how you first got into AI art? You began exploring NFTs and AI tools as early as 2021, back when only a few pioneers were diving in. What sparked your interest?
Well, I’ve been painting for over 20 years now. I studied painting at the Free Academy of The Hague from 1999 to 2003, and before that, I did Monumental Design at the Royal Academy of The Hague from 1993 to 1998. So, my roots are definitely in traditional art. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and the beauty of aging.
My interest in AI art started as a curiosity about how I could mix traditional techniques with modern tech. At first, I found AI really frustrating — it almost drove me crazy! After working for 20 years to hone my skills, suddenly anyone could create impressive images just by typing a few words. I even minted a few AI works with the prompts included, just to show how easy it was! I was having daily conversations with a colleague, Gassan Agel, who also wasn’t a fan of the AI trend, and we were both pretty vocal about it.
But then, my curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to see if I could find an aesthetic with AI that I actually liked. Slowly, I started playing around with it, and, to my surprise, I began enjoying the process. I didn’t even tell Gassan at first! It felt like a bit of a betrayal. When I finally confessed, things went quiet for a while.
Integrating AI into my work has been a rollercoaster. I love the control it gives me — these AI models can do things my real-life models never could, like standing outside in the snow or posing underwater. It’s also opened the door to painting male figures, which I’d never done traditionally. In a way, AI has let me explore new worlds while still staying true to my love for the aging human form.
2. Which AI tools do you use?
I got into Stable Diffusion because it let me work with nudity, and I really liked the aesthetics it offered. I started out using it through Colab notebooks, and I even played around with short films using Deforum — trying out different models was a fun experiment! I also gave DALL-E a shot.
Then I moved on to Midjourney and began blending my Stable Diffusion images into it. These days, I mostly stick with Midjourney; honestly, I haven’t found another program that delivers results quite like it. As for the nudity issue, well, I found a little workaround there — sneaky devil that I am!
3. How does prompting with AI compare to painting? Is it a different feeling?
Oh, it’s totally different. With painting, you’re physically engaged, moving around, playing with paint and brushstrokes. It’s immersive. Prompting with AI is less active, more like typing and waiting to see what appears. I do enjoy the thrill of creating something unique with AI, but it doesn’t last as long. With painting, there’s a slower, deeper satisfaction. AI gives you that spark of excitement multiple times a day, but the connection with each piece fades quicker, too.
4. Tell us about how death influences your work, both in painting and AI.
The fascination with death has been with me since I was young. My dad was always interested in it, partly because his mom died young, and no one was allowed to talk about it. He even researched the afterlife and used to listen to a radio show called The Black Hole, which filled our living room with eerie discussions every Sunday.
This curiosity about death stayed with me, and during art school, it started to show in my work. I made installations using skins, meat, and empty cocoons — exploring the contrast between the tangible body and the intangible spirit. Losing a close friend during my time at the academy deepened that feeling, making me question my own body’s reliability. Since then, my art has been a long journey towards accepting impermanence, focusing on aging bodies and ordinary people.
5. What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually start with emails over coffee, just sorting through things and setting my tasks for the day. Then I head to my studio, where I either continue a piece on my easel or start something new. Sometimes I have AI running in the background, and during breaks, I’ll check on it to see if any ideas pop up.
It’s funny — time flies when I’m working, and I often wish for more hours in a day! I’m grateful to work full-time on my art and earn a good living from it, but it’s taken years to get here.
6. How do your colleagues in the art world feel about your AI and NFT work?
Most of my traditional art colleagues are not fans of AI; they think it’s not “real” art. I’ve had some harsh reactions, but I’m used to that. I’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak. When I started painting older women nudes, I faced plenty of criticism, too — even had my work removed from exhibitions. Now, I keep a notebook of all the nasty comments people make. It actually motivates me to keep going. I think someone has to push boundaries, so why not me?
7. How do you see AI impacting society, especially in art?
I think AI will make art more accessible to everyone, allowing more people to create and appreciate it. It will push us to rethink what we value in art. But I also believe that handmade art will gain even more value. Sometimes, I feel a bit frustrated because now I always have to ask myself if an artwork is AI-made. I think AI will make people appreciate traditional craftsmanship even more.
8. Do you have a favorite artist?
Not really a single favorite — I admire so many artists for different reasons. People like Kiki Smith and Berlinde de Bruyckere have definitely influenced me. I also love the work of Juul Kraayer, Marc Quinn, and Jenny Saville, to name a few. Each of them brings something unique to the table, whether it’s concept, technique, or just the raw emotion they convey.
9. What’s your favorite prompt when creating AI art?
I’m often inspired by the theme of “the beauty of aging.” And I love the word “melancholy” — it’s so rich and evocative. I learned early on not to ask other artists for their prompts. That was a hard lesson!
10. Are you working on any specific projects right now?
Yes, I’m really into my new series called Requiem to the Tides. It’s a reflection on the flow of life and how we’re shaped by things beyond our control. Each piece has this underwater vibe, almost like they’re submerged in memories. It’s a bit haunting but also peaceful — a reminder to accept what we can’t change. I’m also exploring the softer side of masculinity in this series, which is a new and exciting direction for me.
11. How was your recent victory in the Times Square Remote Control Contest in 2024 organized by Superchief Gallery?
Winning that contest was amazing. It felt like validation that traditional art can merge with tech-driven forms and still be relevant. I was surprised by how supportive my colleagues were, even the ones who usually aren’t fans of AI. It was a reminder that AI can be a genuine art form.
12. What did being part of the “AI Surrealism” exhibition in NYC mean to you? It happened previously in 2023 and you were one of 100 invited artists from the Exquisite Workers collective who demonstrate a remarkable use of AI in their work. This event is considered the world’s largest AI art show to date!
The exhibition was incredible! I got to work with so many talented artists, including Anna Dart. We created this surreal, immersive space, and I loved seeing my work presented on multiple screens. It felt like my art had stepped into a whole new world.
13. What does it mean to be an AI Surrealist today?
It’s funny — I never thought of my work as surreal before AI. But now, I can create the craziest, most surreal images, and it’s all possible. It’s freeing, and it’s opened up new possibilities for my art that I never considered.
14. Any last thoughts?
For any new artists out there, my advice is to stay curious and be open to experimenting. Embrace change and let it fuel your creativity. You never know what new tools like AI might bring to your work — they could open doors you hadn’t even imagined.
Thanks so much Francien Krieg for chatting with us! And thanks to you for reading!
If you find this article useful, please consider sharing with your favorite AI friends and fellow AI communities. They will love it!
Hey there! We are Exquisite Workers — A Group of Artists-Friends & Educators 💕
Are you hungry for more insider secrets, prompts, and AI art tricks to turn your creativity into cash? Join us on this wild ride in the world of infinite possibilities of AI!
💕 Give us your 👏 if you liked the article!
😄 Lets us know who is your favorite AI artist and we will feature them next time!
✅ Smash that “Follow” button for upcoming tutorials!
If you are looking for MUCH MORE, discover our previous articles here🔻 Cheers 👋
About Author
