Petra Voice has crafted a world where nostalgia and futurism collide. The artist’s Boys series brings to life a cast of surreal, collectible portraits that exist somewhere between memory and a dream. Every one of her illustrations radiates a soft, singular energy, each embodying a distinct mood, emotion, color, and personality. Some are mysterious, others docile, all of them beautifully human. Using generative AI as an extension of her intuition, Petra redefines the boundaries between traditional illustration and generative art, embracing a creative process that is instinctive, fluid, and fearless.
We caught up with her to talk about how she trained her own custom AI models in Superstudio, her fascination with collectible figurines, and the unexpected places where inspiration strikes.
When did your creative journey begin, and how did your artistic universe evolve over time?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember, but my style really started to form when I realized how much I love making characters that feel like they belong in their own little world. I’ve always been drawn to soft, dreamy things that feel nostalgic and inexplicably comfortable but still have a fresh, modern touch. I love taking inspiration from childhood memories, collectible figurines, and animation, then reinterpreting them in my own way. It’s my way of holding onto that feeling of wonder from when I was a kid.
“I’ve always been drawn to soft, dreamy things that feel nostalgic and inexplicably comfortable…”
What three words capture your approach to AI as a creative tool?
Instinctive, fluid, fearless.
I work best when I’m in a flow state where ideas come naturally, and I don’t overthink. My process is very subconscious and associative. I love taking risks, letting intuition guide me rather than following strict rules. AI, for me, is like a creative partner that helps translate those fleeting, instinctive ideas into something tangible. I experiment a lot, constantly pushing to see how far I can take an image while still keeping that raw emotional essence.
“I work best when I’m in a flow state where ideas come naturally, and I don’t overthink. My process is very subconscious and associative.”
What was your experience like using Superstudio to bring your Boys series to life—any unexpected discoveries along the way?
For me, the most important thing is making sure my tools reflect my style. That’s why, for the past six months, I’ve been creating exclusively with custom models. When set up properly, AI isn’t just a tool—it becomes an extension of my creative process, helping me explore new ideas while staying true to my aesthetic. What’s really exciting is how accessible it’s become. Now, anyone can even draw something by hand, upload it into AI, and generate works in their own style. It makes the whole process so much more flexible and personal.
What influences inspire your art most, and in what ways do they emerge in your work?
I’ve always been really inspired by collectible figurines, especially from brands like Pop Mart. There’s something special about how people connect with them, they feel personal, charming, and unique. That, combined with my love for childhood cartoons and nostalgic aesthetics, heavily influences my work. I love reimagining those elements in a way that feels contemporary and fresh, like a mix of past and future.
“My love for childhood cartoons and nostalgic aesthetics
heavily influences my work.”
What has been an unusual or unexpected source inspiration for you?
Honestly, sometimes the smallest things spark the biggest ideas. A toy I had as a kid, the way light reflects off a surface, or even random colors on candy packaging. I love anything that gives me that nostalgic feeling, even if it’s something super simple. It’s funny how a tiny detail can trigger a whole visual world in my head.
What are you streaming lately?
I go through phases, sometimes I take a break for a week or more, and then suddenly I get into a flow where I spend days in a row creating hundreds of works. Usually, I go through all my ideas at once, just following whatever inspires me. Music is a huge part of that process for me. I love listening to something atmospheric and mysterious while I work, it really helps me get into the zone and makes the whole experience feel even more immersive.
