AI Creator Ilona Brazhnik on Kazakh Myths and Creative Freedom

Alena Brazhnikova, better known by her pseudonym Ilona Brazhnik, is in many ways a product of her time. A decade ago, she was transferring art onto skin as a tattoo artist. Today, she creates viral videos powered by artificial intelligence, bringing to life mermaids, Zvezdy, and mythological girls with hooves and wings, symbols of a digital era in which neural networks replace paintbrushes, yet the pursuit of beauty, meaning, and freedom remains unchanged. TCA: Ilona, did your artistic journey begin with tattooing? Brazhnik: Yes, it all started rather quickly. When I began, there weren’t many artists in Karaganda, a mining town in central Kazakhstan, offering the style I worked in. At the time, "old school" tattoos with bold, rough lines were popular. But I wanted to explore subtlety, fine lines, and detailed work. Inspired by European artists, I posted an ad online. Within a month, I was fully booked for the next three months. My client base grew on its own because I was offering something different. TCA: Are there particular tattoo motifs that resonate with you? Brazhnik: I wouldn’t say I have one favorite. I rotate motifs regularly to avoid burnout. But I do love working with thin lines and soft dot shading, it gives the image depth and detail. [caption id="attachment_38469" align="aligncenter" width="417"] @ilona_brazhnik[/caption] TCA: The tattoo trend seems to have quieted. Is that your impression too? Brazhnik: Absolutely. The hype has passed. There was a time when everyone was getting tattooed just for the sake of it. Now, people are more thoughtful. They take their time, consult with others, and carefully choose their designs. The “everyone’s doing it, so I will too” trend ended around eight years ago. TCA: You’ve transitioned to AI and now earn money creating videos? Brazhnik: You could put it that way. There’s definitely demand for AI-generated content. But I didn’t start doing it for the money, I just found it interesting. When people started to respond positively to my work, I thought, why not? TCA: Your videos are visually striking. How much does a project like that cost? Brazhnik: It depends on the complexity. Is it a brand advertisement or a fantasy story? Do you need to showcase clothing, jewelry, or a specific location? Will the same character appear throughout? And of course, duration matters. I can only quote a price once I receive the technical brief. TCA: Are brand commissions more expensive? Brazhnik: Not necessarily. I never charged tattoo clients more just because they could afford it. It depends on the task. Brand work is usually more technically demanding. AI doesn’t like repetition; it redraws objects each time, so logos, packaging, and inscriptions often need to be added manually. I once made a video where glasses were disassembled into ornaments and then reassembled. When asked to replicate it, it took 20-30 failed attempts. AI just doesn’t do “exactly the same.” TCA: Did you start making videos to grow your TikTok and monetize content? Brazhnik: In Kazakhstan, you can’t earn money from...