I am a programmer artist. Virtually all images on my photostream since January 2016 were created using software of my own construction. The hours spent authoring the software, algorithms and effects are just the start for me; countless hours are then spent using those same effects to create my art. I consider each image an experiment, an exploration of an unseen world where I strive to release the beauty within.

For those that need to know, yes, my software makes use of pseudo-random number generators. Some consider this a "lesser" form of art, or even not true "Art" at all. We are all certainly free to decide for ourselves. However, for me, a stream of random numbers is like watching clouds float by on a summer's day. I can see countless new and unusual shapes begging to be explored. Each cloud may be a path to a new image; or it could be a dead-end where I can no longer "see" the desired result. These are the types of experiments upon which I base my art.

I almost always focus on abstract imagery. If "Art" doesn't challenge the status quo; if it doesn't ask the viewer to stretch their view of the universe (just a little or a whole lot) then that "Art" is not, in my opinion, doing it's primary job: teaching the artist as well as the viewer how to "see" differently.

Generally, my images are composed of numerous layers, some exceeding 20 or even 30 layers. Computing a single layer can take up to a minute, and creation of a single finished image can take dozens or even hundreds of iterations to find the right colors, shapes, shading and combination of effects until I am satisfied.

My color palettes are always hand-generated, but sometimes I perturb them with a bit of randomness. I prefer natural colors rather than the traditional primary and secondary colors usually used in other computer-generated/fractal artwork. Although, frequently, combining colors in different ways turn those natural colors inside out and upside down, so the finished image may contain colorful "surprises" which I find delightful and pleasing!

Sometimes I experiment with lines and hard-edged geometric shapes, but I prefer these to be the "incidental" focus of the image. Given any line, or any given shape, I'd always prefer the one that looks crooked, cracked or split, rather than geometrically precise.

Sincerely,

Alex

Note, if your group on flickr has recently added restrictions on "random abstracts" or abstract art in general, I apologize for having my images in your group. I will leave the group and remove my images as soon as I can.