Rethinking : "I Don't hate AI"

Stop!! Call off the mobs - let me explain!!!

AUTHORS NOTE/2026: Back in April 2024, I wrote the post below called "I Don't Hate AI," and in it I shared how I had been using Midjourney to generate reference images while I dreamed up a character (a young girl version of Quasimodo). At the time it felt like a harmless shortcut, a way to bridge the gap between the picture in my head and the one on my page, and I genuinely believed I was using it responsibly. I've learned a great deal since then, and I have to say that my thinking has changed dramatically. Rather than pretend that the blogpost never existed - I think it is important to document how our relationship with AI changes as we delvelop and as AI develops.

Here is where I've landed. AI image generators don't make anything out of thin air; they were built by feeding them the work of real artists who were never asked and never paid, and every image they produce is pulled from that well. AI exists on the back of theft.

Once I really sat with that, I couldn't call those images "copyright-free" anymore (and I was wrong to say so the first time around), because something built on borrowed work without permission is built on theft...period, full stop.

An artist puts in years of pencil miles, sketchbooks full of wobbly lines, color swatches that went muddy, and slow, stubborn growth that only comes from showing up and continuing to perfect day in and day oute. It is a lifetime of learning. A prompt skips every one of those steps, and steals from the years of hard work and artistic experience that fuels it.

Michelangelo said it best, : "If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all."

Original work by Lisa Albinus

Just to be clear as I revisit 2024 Lisa, one thing has not changed for me; digital art is not AI art!! When you draw in Procreate or paint in Photoshop, every stroke comes from your hand, your training, and your choices, exactly the way it does with a paintbrush or a graphite pencil (the stylus is simply another tool in the artist's hand.)

So you'll start seeing a new badge on my website and social media that says I'm proud to be a human artist, NO AI Ever. Every visual image I create is 100% fueled by me and my years of experience. No AI to rescue weak drawings, or create backgrounds that are are outside of my expertise. It is all me, by my hands, and represents a snapshot of where I am as an artist day to day, year to year. I prefer my style and presentation over something that is polished, mechanical and lacks the soul of the human artist's work.

The original post can be found below: (Sigh - be kind - I was younger and naive 🤔🥺😔)

I have found that in my artistic process, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a valuable tool. It streamlines my creative process by translating my verbal descriptions into visual representations, quickly, efficiently and without violating copyrights (read on for my thoughts on the images that have been created on the backs of millions of artists work being fed into the "machine"!) With AI - I am creating verbally what I "See" in my brain as a launching point for my original work

When one envisions a scene or character, AI can assist in transforming these mental images into tangible forms.

In the pic to the left, I was trying to imagine if Quasimoto were a young girl. I fed my ideas into Midjourney and got some great images to spark my imagination.

These images provided a bridge between my verbal descriptions and visual depictions that I could use to create an original piece.

Using various images that were created, I could pick and choose aspects that I like from each. Here, the bigger eyes and nose appeal to my imagination.

AI offers an unlimited supply of copyright-free visual references, reducing the risk of legal complications related to copyright infringement. ( 2026 Lisa can be heard GROANING inside in dismay from 2024 Lisa's limited views 🥺) Unlike sourcing inspiration from platforms like Pinterest, where the origin and usage rights of images may be unclear, AI-generated images offer a legal and readily accessible alternative. This ensures that artists can confidently explore a diverse range of visual stimuli without the burden of copyright concerns, as long as original work is created FROM said images.

Sometimes the images that AI creates are a complete miss to what I am envisioning- though they always provide a few giggles. :-)

I envisioned my Quasimodo girl to be full of joy, happiness and light ---this one did not quite hit the mark, though I like the braid.

Despite the benefits of AI in the artistic process, ethical considerations should always be considered regarding its usage. It's crucial for artists to approach AI-generated content with integrity, using it as a reference rather than a substitute for original creativity.

While AI can provide inspiration and guidance, artists must (in my opinion) maintain ownership of their artistic vision and voice through original works created by human hands, heart and imagination and countless years of training.

Transparent labeling of AI-generated content is essential to uphold ethical standards within the artistic community.

My final piece using AI generated imagery to shape my character.

This character was created in my voice, with my style, fueled by my imagination and references provided by AI. In making this image, I don't feel that I "cheated" the system as an artist, stole from artists before me or must claim it as an AI generated image. Made 100% by a human artist. :-)

By embracing AI as a tool for artistic exploration while maintaining a commitment to integrity, artists can harness its potential to enhance their work.

The integration of AI into my creative process during pre-planning, streamlines this process and provides me with access to a wealth of visual references- which serve only as a jumping off point to my creative voice.

So, I don't hate AI as it offers valuable support to artists, through the translation of verbal descriptions into visual representations, while providing a wealth of copyright-free visual references.

However, ensuring ethical use and transparent origins of images is crucial for maintaining the integrity of artistic expression. By responsibly utilizing AI, artists can explore cutting edge avenues of creative reference material, while adhering to ethical norms within the artistic community.