Posts

Posted on

Dangerous Passage

Exploring a bit of artificial intelligence text-to-image creation…

The title may be a bit of double entendre considering that is also the title of the image used in this brief, introductory (teaser) article about the use of “AI” in the creation of art.

difficult passage - ships on a stormy sea
Dangerous Passage by ships on a stormy sea.

A possible “caption” for this image might be…

Sailing ships have always been a symbol of a bygone era. Ancient mariners faced the unpredictability of the sea each time they set sail, and this is particularly true off the coast of Cape Hatteras. With its strong winds and unpredictable currents, being caught in a storm off this notorious cape could spell disaster for even the most experienced sailor. The treacherous waters of Cape Hatteras have long been a challenge to sailors – especially in the age of old sailing ships.

Exploring Artificial Intelligence

I’ve been exploring a bit with AI image creation – but in the above piece, “Difficult Passage,” there was a good bit of post-processing involved. The original concept was text-to-image generation, for sure, but the final look and feel took extra work in Photoshop and Topaz Studio2 and the addition of the “torn apart” border framing the image.

dangerous passage framed sample
Here is how “Dangerous Passage” may look in a frame with a colored mat presentation.

Is it fair to use AI in the creation of art?

Some people claim that this is not art. At all! However, is this any different than a creative person wandering through an art museum and then going home and creating a piece from the inspiration acquired during his museum visit? Or how about a photographer visiting a popular scenic overlook and capturing a landscape or seascape similar to what he saw on a calendar? There are all sorts of “arguments” on both sides of the Artificial Intelligence issue but I believe it is up to the individual to decide…

  • Is it Art?
  • Is it not art?
  • Is it blasphemy?

Yes, it is up to the creator of the piece and each individual buyer/customer to decide.

Yes, “Dangerous Passage” is offered for sale as wall art and on a variety of home decor and apparel items. Click the image above or one of the links below to learn more and to begin shopping.

Link to: Dangerous Passage

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

What do you think about the “torn” edges? They would make it work better on a shirt design – but what about as wall art?

artificial intelligence art
Posted on

One Cat Eye Looking Directly At You

Have you ever experienced the feeling of having a cat eye looking directly at you?

Being “stared at” by a cat can be both an unsettling and fascinating phenomenon. Cats have a mysterious quality that is hard to explain. Their piercing gaze often draws us in and holds our attention as if they are trying to convey something we don’t understand.

Cat's Eye
Cat’s Eye Staring Directly at YOU

Not surprisingly, this bizarre experience of being scrutinized by a cat has been explored by some of the world’s greatest thinkers, from ancient philosophers to modern psychologists.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was the first to wonder, “Why do cats have such a penetrating gaze?” In his book On the Soul (De Anima), he wrote, “Why is it that a cat’s eyes appear more intelligent than those of dogs and all other animals? Is it because cats’ eyes are more similar to our own in shape?” Aristotle also noted that dogs and other animals have a “lower soul” than humans, but cats seem more like people. Thus, by the time of the Renaissance, cats had a reputation for being sneaky, malicious creatures. And unlike dogs, they really didn’t have any use for humans—other than using us as food dispensers, that is. Cats would be seen more as a source of entertainment, rather than an actual pet.

cat's eye expressionism
Cat’s Eye Staring Expressly at YOU

The Cat and Religion

Cats are not mentioned in the Bible, but they were known to have been kept as pets during the time of Jesus. In Egypt, cats were considered sacred. Cats believed that they were the protectors of their gods and goddesses. Consequently, the killing of a cat was considered a crime punishable by death. In ancient Egypt, when a cat died, they were mummified and buried in the same way as humans were. The funeral processions were elaborate and included thousands of people. In the Middle Ages, cats were kept as pets and also used for hunting. They are believed to have been instrumental in helping to keep down the rat population. In England, cats were not considered a domestic animal until about 1660.

Flat Earth and Cats?

Hey, cats also help disprove the “Flat Eart Theory.” Sure, they do – if the earth were flat, the cat would push everything off of it, right? (Sorry. Not sorry.)

The Cat’s Eye images above are available on prints, framed, prints, canvas wall art and on a variety of home decor items. Click an image above or a link below to learn more. Click now.

Link to: Cat’s Eye at Bill’s Fine Art America Gallery

Link to: Cat’s Eye Expressionism at Bill’s FineArtAmerica Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine ArtAmerica/Pixels

Posted on

A Cat in a Fishbowl

Now the kitty knows what it’s like to be the goldfish.

Cats are curious creatures, and cats in the wild often enjoy playing with whatever catches their attention. But when it comes to domestic cats, sometimes they take that curiosity a little too far.

Cats have a natural instinct to hunt, and they are often drawn to small moving objects. Some cats may be attracted to fish bowls and aquaria (fishbowl – aquarium) because of the movement of the fish inside.

cat in a fishbowl or a fish bowl
Cat in a Fishbowl with transparent edges – great for T-shirts and home decor items.

In the “cartoon” image above, the cat has evidently changed places with the fish, presumably a goldfish, by being inside the fishbowl. He (she?) should have chosen an actual aquarium – because it might have provided bit more room.

cat in a fishbowl
Cat in a Fishbowl – full rectangular image for wall art and home decor items.

Now the cat knows what it’s like to “be” the goldfish. From predator to prey, curiosity and all that, right?

Perhaps you would like this as a small print for a child’s room or, perhaps, in your home or office as a conversation piece. Click one of the images above or one of the gallery links below for more information or to shop.

Link to: Cat in the Fish Bowl at Fine Art America.
Link to: Cat in the Fish Bowl at Pictorem.
Link to: Bill’s Redbubble store for T-shirts and more with this design.