How Digital Art Breaks Genre Barriers

Artists traditionally spend years refining their skills in a particular style. Think of Van Gogh’s swirling brushstrokes, Mondrian’s sharp geometric lines, or O’Keeffe’s flowing natural shapes. This dedication makes sense—mastering a unique artistic voice takes time and practice. But what if technology could open the door to exploring multiple styles without sacrificing quality or artistic depth?

AI-assisted digital art is making this possible. With AI tools, artists can experiment across different genres while still creating meaningful and sophisticated work. Instead of getting bogged down in technical execution, artists can focus on their creative vision and ideas.

In my work, this has led to the development of three distinct but connected styles. One style, which I call “Psychgeomism,” combines psychological, historical or social themes with geometric precision. These pieces use fragmented shapes and layered elements to explore human consciousness in a modern, digital way. They often blend portraiture with abstraction, creating a contrast between structure and emotion.

Psychgeomism: 100 Million Years by Will Flavell 

Another style I work in is “Kinetic Minimalism.” These pieces are all about movement and flow but with a simple aesthetic and limited colours. I’m fascinated by how basic shapes can create complex sensations of motion and depth. AI is beneficial here because it can handle the complex and detailed aspects that give the artwork a dynamic feel while allowing for an organic, human touch.

Kinetic Minimalism: Melting Whales by Will Flavell

I also create Contemporary Surrealist works that reflect on modern society and technology. While traditional Surrealism often explores dreams and the subconscious, my approach focuses on real-world issues—such as climate change and artificial intelligence. By applying surrealist techniques to contemporary themes, I try to spark conversations about the intersection of technology and human creativity.

What’s particularly exciting is how these different styles influence each other. An innovation in a Kinetic Minimalist piece might shape the geometric elements in a Psychgeomist work. The thought-provoking nature of Surrealism might inspire a deeper dimension in my other pieces. The piece below straddles Psychgeomism and Contemporary Surrealism.

Contemporary Surrealism: Approaching the Tipping Point by Will Flavell 

This kind of artistic cross-pollination has happened before—Picasso, for example, moved through different styles over his career. But AI takes it to another level, allowing artists to explore multiple styles simultaneously. It’s not about replacing traditional skills; it’s about enhancing creativity with new tools that expand what’s possible.

The result is art that feels fresh and innovative while still deeply human. AI doesn’t take away from artistic tradition—it adds to it, helping artists push boundaries and explore new creative frontiers.