Some more thoughts on A.I. part two.
Why do I draw, post and go to cons? It's because I love art.
For me my art is very personal. I draw stuff I love. All that defines me is in those drawings. My likes, my influences, my experiences, where i am in life or an artist.
I was scared shitless when I started doing cons because of that. Insomnia, shakes, anxiety...and I am not a person who has stage fright. And the austrian and German convention community has been nothing but good to me. I met amazingly talented artists and cosplayers. People who are into the same shit I'm into. I met my heros and I was not disapointed. I made friends. Now i look forward to cons just to spend time with those people again.
I don't see people as customers. If someone likes my work, so much that they want to buy a print or want to commission me it's more than just a transaction. It's a connection. I want to do good. Do the best work i can.
If someone gives me a follow, likes my posts, posts a comment i appreciate that deeply. It's now to a point where it's hard to keep up. But i still try to stay in contact.
If you are an artist i don't see you as my rival. I see you as a fellow soul and I want to see your art, how you develop what Influences you. I want you to succeed.
And I now I see that taken away from us, from me. A lot of people get less active because social media sucks, because AI steals their work, our work. Feeding a machine that spits out soulless garbage. Repurposes and repackages it to something it wasn't intended. Even to make profit.
And the people who spent their time on their art get nothing in return. Get even questioned and attacked by pro AI people.
AI doesn't take away our jobs or our money. It takes away our souls, memories and our joy of curiosity, discovery and self improvement.
It has come to my attention that crypto-types create YouTube videos to make "get rich quick" click bait.
It's click bait. So like any other get rich quick scheme it's not gonna work. However even the thought of that hurts.
The money I make with art goes into art supplies, travel expenses, setting up future cons, other artists i commission or buy books from.
