AI/CC January 2025 Featured Artist Drew Brucker

Introduction

Welcome to the AI/CC :: Artificial Intelligence Creative Community January 2025 Artist Feature. What a year 2024 has been! We have witnessed unprecedented development in artificial intelligence, reshaping how we create, communicate, and innovate. At AI/CC, we believe 2025 holds even greater promise, as the synergy between art and technology continues to push the boundaries of possibility.

Our mission remains steadfast: to celebrate the trailblazing creators who are transforming industries through the fusion of AI and artistic expression. We are committed to fostering a dynamic space where bold experimentation thrives, artistic conventions are reimagined, and new creative horizons come into view.

To kick off this remarkable year, we are thrilled to feature our AI/CC Artist of the Month, Drew Brucker Brucker from Atlanta, Georgia. A visionary creator, Drew has mastered the art of blending human creativity with AI innovation, delivering transformative results in visual storytelling, brand direction, and design. His groundbreaking work and unwavering curiosity set the stage for an inspiring start to 2025.

About Drew Brucker

Drew Brucker is a creative powerhouse standing at the intersection of art, design, and technology. With over a decade of experience in scaling B2B SaaS brands, Drew has driven over $130 million in marketing-sourced revenue while leading teams to launch innovative products at record-breaking speeds. His exceptional contributions to marketing earned him the prestigious American Marketing Association 4 Under 40 Award in 2023.

In mid-2023, Drew embarked on a transformative journey, stepping out on his own to redefine brand and creative direction through the lens of AI. Since then, he has collaborated with renowned clients such as Marriott, the Brooklyn Nets, Buddy, and IndieWalls, bringing their visual storytelling to life with cutting-edge AI techniques. He has also provided AI-driven creative guidance and education to industry giants, including Meta , TikTok , 奥美 , McCann Worldgroup , 谷歌 , and VaynerMedia .

Beyond his client work, Drew is the co-host of Midjourney Fast Hours, a podcast dedicated to empowering creatives as they navigate the rapidly evolving AI frontier. A proud twin-girl dad based in Atlanta, Georgia, Drew embodies a philosophy where creativity and curiosity converge to spark innovation. His unique ability to blend artistry with strategic thinking makes him a leading voice in the AI-driven creative landscape.

Can you tell us about you and your journey as an artist? How did you begin working with AI?

My background is rooted in marketing, photography, and design, but I always have the itch to push boundaries.

When I discovered AI tools like Midjourney , it felt like stumbling upon a secret door in a familiar room. Here was a tool that could spin my ideas into visual gold—unpredictable, surprising, and full of possibility.

The more I experimented, the more I realized AI wasn’t replacing my creativity but amplifying it. From there, it became a core part of how I create, explore, and most surprisingly, my career.

What drew you to the intersection of technology and art?

The practicality. After COVID and the twins, I didn’t have the time and energy to create like I had previously used my camera.

Like anyone else, I started playing with Midjourney like it was a toy made just for me. Before I knew it, I created using Midjourney with every spare minute I had.

The idea of creating anything from my desk at home was a novel and memorable experience—one that I’ll try to hold onto for as long as I can.

Who are your major artistic influences, both traditional and digital?

A good part of my work tends to blend the unsettling, the surreal, and the deeply human.

Artists like Michael Borremans resonate with me. There’s a disquieting beauty in his work. He creates portraits that feel like they’ve been peeled from a fever dream, where everything looks real but feels off. You can see echoes of that in my work where traditional motifs collide with subversive details.

I also really like Gregory Crewdson. He likes to explore the uncanny within the mundane, injecting darkness into everyday life. That tension between polished surfaces and something raw underneath is a thread I love to pull.

How has your cultural background or personal experiences shaped your work?

Growing up, I was always encouraged to be curious — to ask “why” and “what if?” That mindset has stayed with me.?

Being a parent has also influenced my perspective. Watching my kids see the world with fresh eyes reminds me to stay open and playful. My work reflects this blend of curiosity and exploration. I want my images to feel like open-ended stories, inviting people to wonder what happens before and after the moment captured.

Can you describe a turning point in your career where AI became central to your art?

My inflection point was when I created my “Human Bouquets” series. It was such an organic idea, coming from a visual breadcrumb that sparked my imagination.

I was able to get incredible results using different themes within it, and it was at that moment that I realized that from that moment on, I could create anything that I wanted from anywhere that I wanted. Something none of us knew growing up.

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How do you integrate AI into your creative process from concept to completion?

It usually starts with a spark—an idea, a mood, or a scene I want to capture. I’ll craft a prompt, but I keep it loose enough for the AI to surprise me. Once Midjourney generates the initial outputs, I explore variations, tweak prompts, and pull in elements that resonate. From there, it’s a back-and-forth process of refining, remixing, and adding final touches.

It’s like sculpting with suggestions rather than clay — letting the AI’s unpredictability guide the way.

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What tools, techniques, or AI models do you use, and how do you select them?

Midjourney is my go-to and daily driver for image generation because of its ability to create nuanced, creative, unique, and atmospheric visuals.?

Tools like Photoshop and Lightroom help me enhance details for refining or post-processing.

Other tools I’m using frequently at the moment are Runway and Minimax (for AI video gen) and Magnific for creative upscaling and image gen.

In general, the choice depends on the project—some ideas need the raw imagination of Midjourney, and others need the structure of different models.

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How much control do you delegate to the AI versus your input?

I’d say it’s a 70/30 split. I provide the concept, direction, and prompts, but I leave room for the AI to surprise me. That element of unpredictability is where the magic happens. After the AI’s initial output, I step back in to shape, refine, or redirect the piece. It’s a true collaboration — I guide the AI, but I also listen to what it offers.

Could you describe a typical day in your studio when working on an AI-driven project?

My days are a blend of structure and spontaneity. Mornings and early afternoons are for focus—strategy, client work, getting the gears turning. But I carve out time in the late afternoon/evening for exploration. That’s when I play, prompt, and experiment.

Creativity doesn’t happen in perfect blocks for me. It sneaks in between meetings, during a walk, or when I’m making coffee. I’ve learned to stay open because the best ideas rarely arrive on schedule.

How do you overcome creative blocks when working with AI?

Easy, I switch things up.

If I’m stuck, I’ll try a completely unrelated prompt or style just to see where it takes me. Sometimes I revisit old outputs or failed ideas — there’s usually a seed in there worth replanting. I also take breaks away from the screen. A walk, a podcast, or playing with my kids often shakes loose the inspiration I need.

What key themes or ideas do you explore in your AI-generated art?

Great question. I’m fascinated by themes of surprise, absurdity, discovery, and the surreal.

I love exploring the spaces between reality and imagination — places that feel familiar yet aren’t.

I’d say there’s often a sense of quiet tension in my work, where the viewer feels like they’ve stepped into a moment mid-story.

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Are there any societal, ethical, or philosophical questions that your work addresses?

Absolutely. My work wrestles with questions about the blurred boundaries between human creativity and machine collaboration. Where does authorship begin and end when you’re co-creating with AI? What does it mean for art to be “authentic” in a world where tools can generate stunning visuals in seconds?

As AI continues to evolve, I’m fascinated by how it influences perception, trust, and the creative process. These pieces are less about providing answers and more about inviting the viewer to sit with the uncertainty — to engage in a conversation that’s just beginning.

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How do you incorporate emotions or abstract concepts into your AI pieces?

I tend to focus on building the right atmosphere through the type of photography I’m envisioning along with a camera angle/composition that will do most of the heavy lifting for achieving my vision.

Emotions can still be difficult in AI’s current state, mostly because dynamic movements, posing, and expressions are a bit consistent and dry.

That said, emotions aren’t always literal for my images—they’re hinted at through lighting, texture, or the placement of a figure in a scene. I try to create images that evoke a feeling first and a story second. That way, viewers can bring their interpretations to the piece.

How has the public and critics’ reception of your work evolved with the use of AI?

Honestly, I haven’t seen too much negativity.

At first, there was skepticism—a sense that using AI to create art wasn’t “real” art. But as people have seen the creativity and intention behind the work, I think perceptions have shifted rather quickly.

Now, there’s more curiosity and excitement. People are starting to see AI as a tool that enhances creativity rather than diminishes it.

What is the most memorable reaction you’ve received to one of your AI-generated pieces?

Any time that someone says they want to hang my work in their personal space, it shocks me with gratitude. I love that feeling.

Beyond that, someone once told me that one of my pieces felt like a memory they couldn’t place — like déjà vu. That stuck with me. It meant the image connected on a deeper, subconscious level, which is exactly what I hope for.

How do you engage with audiences who may be unfamiliar with AI art?

I try to demystify it. I share the process, the prompts, and the thinking behind the work. Once people understand that AI is a collaborator, not a replacement, they get more comfortable exploring the art and asking questions.

How do you see AI shaping the future of art and creativity?

AI is going to broaden the definition of creativity. It will allow more people to express ideas visually, even if they don’t have traditional skills. But it will also push established artists to explore new frontiers. The future of art isn’t AI replacing artists — it’s AI expanding what artists can do.

Are there any specific advancements in AI you’re excited to explore in your future works?

I’m excited about advancements in multimodal AI—models that combine text, images, and even sound. The idea of creating interactive, immersive experiences that blend different senses is thrilling.

I’m also ecstatic about 3d. Going back to the democratization of creativity for a second, I would never have been able to crack into that field or be knowledgeable and applicable to it. But in today’s world, it’s possible. I love that.

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How do you stay informed about AI developments and integrate new tools into your creative process?

In large part, it comes down to following the right people and getting involved in the right communities.

I follow AI researchers, artists, and developers online. I stay active in AI art communities where people are always sharing the latest tools and experiments. Whenever a new tool drops, I jump in and see how it can add to my process.

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What advice would you give emerging artists wanting to start working with AI?

Dive in and play. Don’t worry about mastering the tech right away. Let yourself experiment, fail, and be surprised. The best way to learn is by doing; the more you explore, the more you’ll develop a style that feels authentic.

Explore Drew's AI-infused Creativity

Thank you, Drew Brucker , for sharing your amazing work and knowledge with the AI/CC :: Artificial Intelligence Creative Community! We surely are blessed to have you around.

Follow Drew Brucker 's work and creative journey, you can find the related links below:

AICC Gallery Drew Brucker

LinkedIn Drew Brucker

Linktree Drew Brucker

Instagram @dcbruck