I was inspired by [this blog post] because it raises some interesting points about AI generated art that I don't see anyone else talking about, ethical issues aside for a moment:
A. The popular criticisms against AI art don't address how these images can still elicit a visceral reaction in viewers, and the way it pulls together ideas and compositions is unlike most of what you can find made by human hands. Who is making art in this exact configuration? Where do you find this level of unfiltered, unbridled "creativity" for lack of a better word? Where is the comparable equivalent to these images and what they evoke?
B. Many people complain about AI art, but are not using the same energy to promote or support artists who are actually trying to make this shit. Many artists who want to don't even have the opportunities, the recognition, the money, or the following to make this happen, because the powers that be (capitalism, mainstream audiences, society, whatever you want to call it) do not value these skills or new ideas. Turning a blind eye to AI imagery or punishing people who find something in it, when we could instead take it as a challenge to start creating this shit for real and let our minds connect to these "out there" ideas because SOMETHING is there and we're refusing to see it- and also directing people to human-made alternatives.
To be clear, this isn't a defense of generative AI or the people who profit from it. At all. My point is that there's a niche being filled right now by AI art, and you can't complain when you're not directing someone to a human-made equivalent, or creating the conditions for artists to thrive. This is permission to be MORE unhinged and MORE full bodied in the art we put into this world- c'mon, people!!
So, I want to try something. I want to start with finding this kind of off-the-wall AI art (not generating it myself, mind you) and providing examples of real artists who are making similar work right now. Here's how it's going to go:
I will select 3 AI images of a similar aura being peddled in various spaces online (and no, I will not be crediting the prompters because they didn't make it, they only used what the AI pulled from other worlds.)
I will select at least 3 artists who I believe are creating similar works from their own mind, and show at least 3 examples of their work.
I will provide ways these artists can be supported if any are available.
NOTE: If your work is featured here and you would like it removed for any reason, please contact me thru my email ([email protected]) or Discord (@/xandri9000).
If you know of any art/artists I missed that fit into this week's theme (whether it be illustration, film, music, practical, etc...) please feel free to mention them in the reblogs or replies of this post!
Lastly, please respect the boundaries of these artists (e.g. if they're 18+/don't allow minors, etc...), and if you have issues with any of these artists or their work, please take it up with me and forward all hate mail to [email protected]. Thanks.
With that long preamble out of the way, I want to start with images like the ones shown in the post I linked:
The AI Imagery:
Very retro, surreal, vivid, "puppet TV show" vibes that feel familiar but are still unlike their closest existing equivalents.
Can I find artists making these exact things? Probably not. Can I find ones who come pretty damn close and are making cool shit right now? Yes!
Are you ready? Let's begin!
The Artists:
Monsters of the Underworld
From their website: "Monsters of the Underworld is a collaboration between Dicapria and Tess - a queer couple based in New Orleans. They each bring 20+ years of experience in their respective fields, Dicapria in theatre production and design and Tess in sewing and textile design. Together, they build large scale wearable monsters, maximalist art installations, light art, monster fashion, and more."
Website: monstersoftheunderworld.com
Socials: @/monstersoftheunderworld on Instagram and TikTok
Support them at: [Their online shop]
Atherist / Amazynglyme
Angela is an experienced cartoonist working on a webcomic within a webcomic within a webcomic. (Yes, you heard that right!) It precedes a larger narrative/webcomic about the fictional webcomic's author, their siblings, and the taboo relationship between them all as they deal with trauma. (Keep in mind their comic projects are 18+, please scroll away if you are not the target audience.)
They've had to halt working on projects like this due to lack of stability and financial hardship, all while dealing with disability among other things, and are currently making dance and character acting videos on YouTube to convey their worldbuilding. Send them some love and tip them for their work if you can!
The Bsky for their comic: @/stucktogedurr
YouTube: @/Amazynglyme
Support them at: [Ko-fi]
snidemollusk
Snide creates trippy, surreal art of cartoon characters, mostly of the furred variety. It was hard to choose just 3 images because I love their compositions a lot! Their art heavily features sexuality and kink, so you know the drill- scroll away if you are not the target demographic.
Socials & Support them at: @snidemollusk on Tumblr, Etsy, Twitter, Bsky, Patreon & Furaffinity.
Art of Diane Ramic
From their Linktree: "Illustrator/graphic designer with a love of science fiction, fantasy, and birds!"
Links & Support them at: [Linktree] & @dianeramic on Tumblr
Radinplaid / Plaidbats
A painter & illustrator with a specialty in character design, and experience with storyboard and animatic making!
I haven't found out if they are still active online. If anyone knows, please correct me below!
Instagram: @/radinplaid_
Youtube: @/Plaidbats
Marisol Muro
Marisol is a California based artist with art heavily influenced by the 60s & 70s! Lotsa cats, mushrooms, flowers & love. <3
Website & Support them at: [Marisoland.com]
Socials: @/marisolmuro on Instagram & Twitter, @/marisoland on TikTok & YouTube
autumnalwood
autumnalwood creates gentle, fantastical scenes and characters in vivid technicolor hues!
Links & Support them at: [Carrd]
Gavin Lopez-Smith
Gavin Lopez-Smith, or Gavin Avenue, is a 3D artist making unique characters set in low-poly environments, reminiscent of old CG and computer games. He also makes music!
Links & Support them at: [Linktree]
Starling Puppets
From their website: "I create fleece puppets for video content, educational presentations, live performances, or just for fun!"
Devon Whalen doesn't only create puppets, but also illustrations, 3D work and animations! All of which you can find through their website below!
Website: [artschoolcopout.com] and on Tumblr @starlingpuppets & @artschoolcopout
Honorable Mentions (aka I reached Tumblr's image limit but I still want to shout out these artists!):
@/joshcope_art on Instagram & @/JoshcopeCreations on Etsy.
Magic Sam Art: colorful queer art with a storybook quality, sometimes featuring kink and sexuality
Links, portfolio and commissions at magicsamart.carrd.co, and @magicsamart on Tumblr.
Ink The Artist: wonderfully vivid and surreal work, often featuring animals and striking colors and contrasts alongside body horror (with some vore, too!)
Find all their links at @ink-the-artist on Tumblr.
More names I gathered while looking for artists who fit this theme!!:
Adam S. Forsythe
Haley Lane
Allison Schulnik
Hongmin Lee
qingyi33
James Jean
Oda Iselin Sonderland
Rodrigo Goulão de Sousa
Yoko d'Holbachie
Music Videos too because why not:
"Run Away (^ ^)" by Aya Gloomy (⚠️ Major flashing light warning if you watch this one, be careful!⚠️)
"Where Do You Go When You Dream?" by WOODS
"Ready, Able" by Grizzly Bear (a small plug for Allison Schulnik's work here too!!)
"Man it Feels Like Space Again" by POND
"Terrified", "You Know What You've Done", "Piggie" & "Saccharine" by Jazmin Bean (ok I'm cheating by including 4 of their songs- I love the use of practical effects and staging in some of their music videos!!)
And.... that's all. For now.
As it says on the tin, I'm hoping to make this a weekly thing. Just as there's no shortage of AI "slop" in the world, I believe there is no shortage of artists making cool shit who just need a chance to shine.
My goal with this is to include artists who tackle more "uncomfortable" themes in their work, to encourage people to lean more into their creativity because there is ALWAYS a place for it in this world, and to just interact more with art other people are making as I feel things have become very quiet, cold and impersonal online.
As you can see, I got carried away this time. ^^; It was hard to narrow it down to just 3!! Subsequent installments should be more chill. Next week, we're going to get a little more spooky with it. 🦇
bad about posting sdv wizard comics not because i don't do them fast enough (currently have six done and 7 more drawn but not colored) but because i only seem to be able to get my brain to do them if they're out of order. RIP
theartofmadeline
vaporwave
gummygunk
yousharknotpass
titsay
turnnoffyourmind