Year One Retrospective

It’s officially been a year since this project began! I wanted to take a second to reflect on the journey so far and share some of the illustrations that became my most popular.

How it started

Back in February 2025, I was just messing around with AI tools when I managed to create a sweet image of Michael Jackson and Charlie Chaplin. I added some text and sent it to friends, but the spark didn’t stop there. As I’ve mentioned in my FAQ, I’ve always loved the idea of creating MJ art, but I lacked the technical know-how. AI opened a door for me.

I was so blown away by that first result, creating something I’d happily have framed on my wall, that I turned it into a personal challenge: create at least one new image every single day. Sharing these online, or even creating this website for that matter, wasn’t the original plan, but I loved the process so much I figured others might enjoy seeing them too.

Finding the daily spark

Coming up with something new every 24 hours is no small task! To keep the momentum going, I usually look for:

• MJ History: Stories, songs, relationships, concerts, short films, anniversaries etc…

• Current Events: What’s happening in the world today (related to Michael or not).

• Random Fun: National days can lead to some pretty fun ideas.

A lot of my brainstorming actually happens during my daily dog walks. I constantly pull up my Notes app on my phone to jot down my thoughts, excited to get home and start creating it!

Let’s talk about AI

This year has been a massive learning curve regarding AI, both in terms of the tech and how people feel about it. I know AI art is a polarizing topic, and I’ve had my fair share of backlash, certainly more than I expected. I can understand why some people (my wife included) get frustrated when they realize an image isn’t hand-drawn.

For me, it’s about the scene and the joy an illustration can bring, not about claiming raw artistic talent. That’s where the creativity comes in. As a designer for a tech company, I see AI transforming everything from my professional work to the very code running this website. It’s moving at a breakneck speed that’s both exciting and, if I’m honest, a little bit daunting.

The tools I’m using now aren’t even the ones I started with just a year ago; many have already been replaced or completely overhauled. In fact, it feels like I started this journey with a sword in my hand and I’m now wielding a lightsaber.

This evolution, however, has opened up possibilities for me to do more with MJ Illustrated. I’m genuinely looking forward to trying new things out because, at its heart, this whole thing is a fun experiment. But the goal remains the same, which is to create something beautiful that honors Michael’s legacy. While lots of things around me change, one rule remains consistent: I will never create realistic images of Michael. I want to celebrate his legacy, not mislead fans.

While I obviously appreciate AI, my heart sinks when I see fake photos being used to spread misinformation. For what? A few social media likes? Michael’s legacy is worth more than a bit of temporary engagement.

The community

While I’m not a personal fan of the platform, I chose X (Twitter) as my main hub because that’s where the MJ community seems to live. While I tried Instagram, Bluesky, and Facebook, the energy on X has been unmatched. The account has grown to over 1.8k followers as of writing, and I’m so grateful for every like and share. It’s been such a fun and incredible year, and I can’t wait to see what the next one brings!

Top illustrations

Based on the engagement, reach, and the conversations in the comments on my X posts over the last 12 months, here are the creations that seemed to resonate the most: