Emerald Orange: Curated Goods

We Used AI to Make Art for Our Cats. Here’s What Happened.

THE CONVERSATION

By Michelle Railey

So lately I’ve been playing with an AI (artificial intelligence) tool to create “art”-like things. I’ve hated myself for doing so and hated myself even more for enjoying it.

I’m always secretly pleased when AI comes up with too many legs or eyes or something, just, like, way off base. Because, ha ha, AI, you big dumb dork.

And then, AI comes up with some things that, well…

I was trying to create art to celebrate some cats (two gone and missed terribly; two here, thankfully). (Like you wouldn’t have used AI first for art for your pets. Don’t even pretend like you wouldn’t.)

AI gave me the following:

ONE—

Really love that the AI makes a fake signature for some of its creations.

(Above): This was art for Fang, the best black cat who has ever lived. And, somehow, it got close enough in mood and personality that I’ll end up probably framing it. (Thank you, computer.)

The real Fang. The noblest cat who ever lived. (1997-2017)

TWO—

This one, on one hand, looks too refined for our Waylon. Except, that skinny, knowing face? Pure Waylon. And the portrait with the book? Just too much for me. It’s going to end up framed. (I’m scared of AI and yet…)
This is the real Waylon (b. 2022). He’s in a laundry basket. He’s way too unrefined to sit quietly anywhere, let alone with a book or a plant (without knocking it over or throwing it, eating it, et cetera). And yet, AI gets some points because, well, you have EYES, don’t you?

THREE—

I did some cosmetic adjustments to this one (Take THAT, AI). But, still, I’ll end up framing it, too, probably. It’s the art nouveau version of our Nymphie (a.k.a. Teensy).
The real Nymphie (Teensy.) Mucha would have been happy to paint her. Nymphie/Teensy….she’s very c’est la vie. (Insert Gallic shrug).

FOUR—

The AI version of Nymphie/Teensy and Waldo l’Orange.
Three versions of Waldo and Nymphie/Teensy hanging out together. Waldo (2011-2023) was the most loving cat there ever was. And, clearly, he and Nymphie/Teensy had a thing going.

FIVE—

Well, if I did make more cat art, via AI, to celebrate my cats, I’m not sure I should show you.

I feel like I’ve embarrassed myself enough.

Also?

I like AI.

I hate AI. It scares me.

I design things for real and the fact that AI gets to do it now?

I wanted the future to be AI doing all the grunt and normal work. Then the humans (you, me) could have more time for making cat art, or a million other wonderful fulfilling things.

If we enter a future in which AI does the writing, designing, creating?

And we’re (the humans) still fast fooding and shipping and packing and minimum-waging?

That’s not the future I wanted.

I don’t have an answer for the future and AI and how everything works. I have some theories/guidelines. But no one asked me.

So here, above, is a post about AI and my cats.

And I’d be lying if i just left it at that: I don’t know what to do with a present OR a future where AI gets to do the fun stuff, for free, while humans do the grunt work for too little.

And as much as I’ve enjoyed playing with AI, I still prefer a world where humans do the design and arts work.

All of which thoughts make my head hurt.

I think I’ll go pet a cat or play with a cat, or, well, you get the idea.

(And Rest In Peace and love forever to Fang and Waldo. Truly the two most noble and loving cats ever.)

Michelle Railey

Owner and creator of Emerald Orange and Amos Media. Graphic designer, editor, and writer. And stuff.

Leave a Reply

Advertisements

Discover more from Emerald Orange

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading