In this age of AI and influencers and even AI influencers, authenticity has become a bit of a buzzword. I have been hearing it a lot in art and creator spaces, and it has different meanings for different people which is fine. For me, it pushes me to be more open and vulnerable about my struggles and strengths. I try to not just make my blog and social media about my wins and a highlight reel, but show my losses and frustrations. Mind you, really personal or financial stuff I do not post about. Some things just need to be private. But day to day things, bad moods, lack of confidence or selling a piece of art all have their place for discussion. 

When I post my art, I try to attach a personal meaning to it. At least some explanation as to where it came from. If I'm honest, I'll tell you I don't always immediately know. Sometimes something is just something weird I saw in my head. So I don't have a deep meaning behind it. Other times it has a really personal meaning. It just varies.

I see a lot of people teaching courses on how to succeed at selling art. Sales pitches, social media strategies and ad strategies. I've looked into some of these things, but it feels too much like I'm commodifying my mental health and art. I guess I am to a point if I'm selling art and talking about my mental health. I'm that much self aware. I'm also aware enough to know when people want to buy art, they want to connect with it in some way. If I'm just a faceless void posting art with no story, then what is there to connect with.

I've seen some people say not to “explain” my art because its up to the viewers interpretation. This is valid, and maybe for some artists that works. One thing I will say is hard is discussing my art in person. At in person shows, people ask about my art or the Artsy Brain and talking about mental health and actually have to express verbally instead of in writing on the internet is much more awkward for me. Not that I'm embarrassed. Its that writing out words is more like talking to my internal monologue versus hearing myself say it out loud.

One could just say every artist and creator has their own strategy and that is fair. My thing is with so much AI slop all over the internet and social media, I think artists who show their realness and are vulnerable in their work are the ones who have a chance in this current environment. People are craving authentic and real art and music and connections. AI doesn't have feelings, or experiences or compassion or pain. It just has data and numbers and algorithms. Sure, it can spit out some look a like or sound a like things that may seem cool on the surface. I've fallen for some AI music I thought was catchy until I learned it was AI. What tipped me off of course is the artist had no pictures of herself anywhere. Just AI generated art and one headshot that was clearly not real. A few days later I saw their whole profile had been deleted off YouTube.

The most baffling to me is when I see people post AI selfies on social media and then accept compiments for how great they look or about whatever event they AI'd themselves into. I have become quite the shut in as I've gotten older, but I still value real experiences. My wife and I don't get out a lot, but when we do we make it count with something fun and memorable. Real memories and real experiences. Not a fake AI thing that never happened. This whole thing reminds me of Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger where they did the memory implants of vacations and adventures. Hell, we already have stupid Waymo/Johnny Cabs, so we aren't too far behind that dystopia of memory implants and paying for air; or at this rate, water with how data centers are siphoning it all up.

Anyway, I got off track there, but its around 5 a.m. And I can't sleep so you guys are stuck with my rambling. I know I'm guilty of using AI art and even doing AI poems and things with the AI art in the past. It all feels rather silly now, but if I'm honest it's because I doubted my own ability to do those things to start with. So I started learning art and using art to build my writing and blogging and they have complimented and strengthened each other. I'm just glad I had the courage to step out and learn something new. The thing is, its work. I draw and/or write something every single day. Even if its a short journal entry on my phone. I try to get some words in or a sketch or doodle. Every time you pick up a pencil you are honing your skill.

The problem with AI is it takes away that learning curve and gives people the illusion of competence or skill. If I lost my tablet, I could still draw or paint using pens or markers. I may not be able to do some tricks I use on my tablet, but the vibe and style wouldn't change. Neither would the art's captions. No AI creator can say that. Even if I never win a single award or sell another print, that alone is something to be proud of.

So, I guess the message here is be real. Do the hard thing and make real things. Not only will people love you for it, but you'll love yourself more than you thought possible. Don't be afraid to take the steps, to try the thing and make mistakes. Some of my best work came directly from one of my mistakes. A few of my art mistakes people liked better than my personal favorite pieces. Just run with it and don't over think it. I'm in my fifties and I'm learning. I don't believe the line “you can't teach an old dog new tricks.” If I'm breathing, I'm learning. Maybe that's an autistic thing, but I think its more of a human thing. We just have to drop our fear and charge forward.