With AI art, why you should still commission artists
The topic of AI has been a hot subject for a while now—it’s permeated all aspects of our lives from our Google search results to solving complex medical problems. One of the biggest topics, however, has been the use of AI in the art community, and how I believe that this new “AI slop” as many put it, is actually going to draw people back to tactile and real art and artists.
The problem with AI art
I don’t need to tell you why AI art is bad, because truthfully, it’s been said a million times in a million different ways. Doing a simple Google search (which yes, is also using AI) you’ll see the countless articles of how AI art pulls from a database of art that isn’t licensed to be used and just copying and regurgitating what it’s “fed”...there’s information out there about it. For me, personally, the problem with AI is how people are using it as a means to replace art instead of as an aid to help their art. I’ll be the first one to say that I use AI—I use it to plan out my day, help me write product descriptions, and come up with a list of relevant hashtags for my social posts (because I find myself using the same ones every time). These are starting points, productivity enhancers, and most importantly not creating images from stolen artist’s work. That’s where and how I use it, I’m sure you have or currently are using it and that’s fine. This blog is to explain why you should still commission real artists.
The Human Touch
This isn’t true for all art, but for my practice, each step of the way is through me. You’ll be talking to an actual person, not an automated voice, however, in order to do that, I have very limited commissions spots available each month. I want the entire experience for my clients to be one-on-one and given the proper attention it deserves. My pieces are investments and sentimental—something only a human can truly connect with and understand. There are cars in my own life that have significant meaning. For example, my dad’s 1953 Mercury Monterey was featured in my wedding photos. We had our two dogs in the photo, and unfortunately, one of them passed away a few months after our wedding. Or the Ford Focus hatchback that stuck with me throughout every college move and every major life event in my early twenties. Are these necessarily the sexiest cars to paint—no, but they’re sentimental to me and to share the feeling of a car being reliable, not in the technical sense but in the “it was there for me when I needed to drive around at midnight after a breakup” sense is something you can’t explain to a robot. This is why our initial zoom call is so important—I want to know your why, why this car? It can be as simple as “this is my first sportscar and I want to remember it” or as deep as one of my stories above.
Restored Classic
Something I haven’t done yet (but am excited to when I get the chance) is to “restore” somebody’s classic car through my paintings. Rust or missing parts can be easily researched and added into someone’s run-down classic. Adding a classic car to a background scene that it could never feasibly get to is another way to restore a classic. Or simply just pulling out details that got lost in time—a color that’s no longer available or a pair or bumper sticker that’s faded away. If you can think of it, I can (most likely) paint it. In order for AI to get something completely right, it takes a few entries and even then, it might not fully grasp what you’re trying to accomplish. As a painter, I think it’s a strength of mine to be able to imagine anything and everything possible—the sky’s the limit.
Still not Convinced? Start with the Keepsake Edition or Fine Art Store
My paintings are true investments and I understand that it can be daunting to put trust and money into an artist’s work and studio practice. I offer smaller tiers as an easy introduction to me and my studio, in order to get to know you better but also for you to get to know me. Keepsake editions are 9x12” on canvas paper and they come shipped framed. It goes through the same process as higher tiers, so you’ll be able to go through the entire customer experience without having to commit to a larger piece. If quality is what you’re curious about, I sell my personal paintings on my website in the Fine Art Store. Canvases don’t ship framed but canvas paper ones do. Look at my art up close and see the detail in each brush stroke and each painting decision. And if you’re still wondering about my work, I frequently post process work on my social media so you can see how I work, think, and paint.
Always feel free to reach out with questions or comments, I’d love to chat!