Customers, artists and AI.

You know who's happy every time you reach out to work with them instead of using AI? 
This kid.

But at the same time she does understand the pull of it.
It's free.
It's quick.
It's easy.
Times are really, really hard.
And yes - it feels much easier to type 'turn my dog into a watercolour style painting' and hit print 2 days before Christmas.
I mean, that option wasn't available when the picture was taken (circa 2015?).
And things didn't feel so scary a year or so ago when you could spot an AI piece a mile off because it had 8 fingers.
But it is getting smarter - with all the real art fed into it.
The best copycat.

I've been having this conversation a lot recently.
Friends and creators considering stopping - because they feel like they can't win.
Or they are afraid no one is going to want their stuff.

I'm not here to convince you not to use AI.
Who am I to judge.
I use it to prioritize my work tasks when there's too much on my plate and I'm stuck and my brain isn't firing properly.
I do have the skills - but you're right - it saves me a lot of time.

I'm here to shift the focus and say thank you to the people who keep coming back.
You know who you are.
Repeat customers, customers who come straight to me with ideas, customers who say my name in rooms I'm not in.
The people who see my big smiling face or get my many thanks via message when they return to me.
The ones who I create discounts for just because they're ace and I want to give back.
​You are the best of people.

Every time someone commissions me I think about my latest competition - the robots.
And it is a great confidence boost haha.

We can't fight hate with hate.
And yes - we're getting a bit deep here a bit too soon for such a short blog.
Shaming never works.

I'm simply here to say - thank you for thinking of me.
I think of you often.
I wouldn't be doing this with any income without you.

Making art.
Crafting.
Decorating.
Gifting.
All the things that threaten to feel redundant after you've turned on the news for too long.
But at the end of the day - it's connection.
And that's what we need.

Drop me a message on your thoughts - I'd genuinely love to hear.