Artists Using AI (but not like that)

First off, new paintings are rolling off the line. I’d like to Highlight:

More are on the way. I have a pretty decent backlog of good photos of good paintings that just need to be cleaned up and posted.

I’m getting ready for my solo show in May, on track I hope to have at least a few motorized pieces done. I have a few with junk mounted on the back of them now and a small army of Raspberry Pi’s outfitted with the right software installs for face detection and motor control etc. Very exciting! But also most the show will probably be paintings like these three, which I am quite proud of! My problem has always been that I always want to do both things and that doesn’t seem like it’s going to end any time soon.

In the meantime, one of the things you have to constantly do as an artist if you want to get anywhere is apply to things. One of the things I am applying to tonight is for an opportunity to have a solo show at The Painting Center in NYC. They ask for a tailored artist statement explaining the work and what I would do with the opportunity. An artist statement is a tricky thing. If you are an artist, you probably know that writing an artist statement sucks. I’ve heard a museum professional liken asking painters to write about their work to be like asking writers to dance about their writing. Anyway, I have a blanket statement, but it didn’t apply here because it wouldn’t address the specifics. So, call in the AI! I fed this prompt into chat GPT:

I'm an artist. I'm submitting an application for a solo show at the Painting Center in NYC. The paintings I want to show are abstract paintings with lots of layers in acrylic, marker, and collage. There are layers of pattern interwoven with layers of more chaotic poured paint. I incorporated collage elements like pictures cut out of Richard Scarry storybooks for children, old Star Trek trading cards I bought when I was a kid, and random receipts and bits of mail I find in the studio. My current statement is this: "When I make a painting, I try to capture that sense of a memory or a new understanding being just out of reach. I use elements like bits of text that are obscured and made un-readable, little doodles, and regular repeating patterns to engage the brain’s recognition systems but leave out just enough to so that the recognition does not quite resolve. In this way my work creates propositional spaces that interact with the imagination.

I think of these pieces as abstract mind-scapes. They incorporate different elements of the conscious experience such as raw emotion as colors smeared and poured in fields and streaks or ordered thought as systems of patterns that follow recognizable rules. Bits of text and cartoon imagery represent the fleeting qualia of the unquiet modern mind.

My work is an exploration of the physical and spiritual nature of life expressed in color and movement.  I believe the purpose of art is to help one find their place in the universe, and I consider a painting a success if it has the power to draw people into a state of meditative contemplation. " The prompt from the entry form is: "Please submit a clearly written artist statement, and explain the plans for your potential exhibition in the Project Room space at The Painting Center." and the length limit is 4000 characters. Please write a response to that prompt.

And this is what I got back:

In my artistic practice, I strive to capture the elusive essence of memory and understanding, creating abstract mindscapes that engage with the viewer's imagination. My work is a synthesis of various elements of conscious experience, from raw emotion expressed through vibrant colors and dynamic gestures, to ordered thought manifested in intricate patterns and structures.

Each painting is a journey into the depths of the psyche, inviting viewers to explore propositional spaces where recognition and interpretation interplay. Through layers of acrylic, marker, and collage, I weave together fragments of text, cartoon imagery, and personal ephemera, such as pages from Richard Scarry storybooks and vintage Star Trek trading cards. These elements serve as windows into the fleeting qualia of the modern mind, evoking a sense of nostalgia and curiosity.

The exhibition I envision for the Project Room space at The Painting Center will be a curated exploration of these abstract mindscapes. Each painting will be carefully selected to create a cohesive narrative that guides viewers through a multisensory experience. From intimate moments of introspection to expansive vistas of color and movement, the exhibition will offer a journey into the physical and spiritual nature of life.

Through the power of color, texture, and composition, I aim to create a contemplative atmosphere that encourages viewers to reflect on their place in the universe. My ultimate goal as an artist is to evoke a sense of meditative stillness, inviting viewers to pause, breathe, and connect with the deeper layers of their own consciousness.

By showcasing my work in the Project Room space, I hope to create an immersive environment where viewers can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of abstraction and discovery. Each painting will serve as a portal to the unknown, inviting viewers to explore the hidden corners of their imagination and find solace in the beauty of the unknown.

In conclusion, my exhibition at The Painting Center will be a testament to the transformative power of art, offering viewers a sanctuary for reflection, introspection, and discovery. Through the interplay of color, texture, and symbolism, I invite viewers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and find moments of transcendence amidst the chaos of modern life.

Not bad! It’s a bit pompous at the end, but I don’t know maybe it’s not super great to be really modest with these things? Anyway, I thought I was just going to get some garbage back that I’d use as a starting point for the statement, but I just copy-pasted it right into the application.

What do you think? Is this statement any good? Would you do this if you were an artist? Have you done this?

Also, any artist know of any tools out there you can feed an image of a painting and have it generate text about the painting, and then have a chat GPT style conversation about the generated text to help form it into the piece of writing that you want?

Love to hear your thought in the comments. By the way I’m back on Instagram. @electroblake. I asked a philosopher and he said it was ok.