AI and the Artist: Finding Balance in a Digital World

Artificial Intelligence seems to be everywhere these days. It’s writing essays, creating images (like the one above this blog post), and even attempting to replicate the styles of well-known artists. As someone who spends her days painting cardinals, layering textures, and weaving nature and spirit into every canvas, I’ve thought a lot about how AI fits into the life of a working artist

The truth? AI can be a helpful tool—but it will never replace the heart of art.

Where AI Helps Me:

Like many full-time artists, I don’t just paint—I also manage a website, write blog posts, share on social media, and connect with collectors. That’s where AI can step in. I sometimes use it to spark ideas for captions, blog drafts, or even marketing content. It’s like having an extra hand in the background, so I can spend more of my energy in the studio instead of at the keyboard.

Inspiration vs Creation:

AI can generate images in seconds, but when I paint, it’s about so much more than the final picture. When I’m layering collage papers, making marks, and brushing on oils or acrylics, I’m not just building an image—I’m building meaning. A cardinal, for me, is not just a bird; it’s a symbol of hope and presence. Sunflowers aren’t just petals and stems, they’re joy made visible. That kind of depth can’t be coded into a program.

Authenticity in Art:

I believe people connect with art not only because of what they see, but because of what they feel. Each brushstroke I lay down holds emotion—sometimes joy, sometimes grief, sometimes love. That authenticity, that human touch, is something no AI will ever replicate.

A Place for Both:

I don’t see AI as a rival—I see it as a modern tool. Just like artists once embraced photography, digital tablets, or new paints, we can choose how to use AI in ways that support, not overshadow, our creative voice. For me, that means letting AI help with business tasks while keeping my art firmly rooted in the real, the soulful, and the deeply human.

Final Thoughts:

Art is about connection. It’s about a story told in colors and textures, a memory sparked by a cardinal, a moment of peace found in sunflowers. AI might create quickly, but it will never create authentically. That remains the gift—and the responsibility—of the artist.