 In the New York Times article below, commercial illustrator Christof Niemann discusses the challenges artists face when confronted with AI-generated images. He makes many excellent points, and his illustrations that accompany his ideas are delightfully original. I can see why he is a successful illustrator. Please read the article here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/23/magazine/ai-art-artists-illustrator.html Then see my own comments on the topic below  My Take
My primary concern is the use of AI-generated images with respect to fine art, specifically painting. First of all, I respect the choices of every artist who chooses to use AI in their creative process. And I will tell you why I personally will never use AI in any part of my artistic creative process. The first and foremost reason is that its use diminishes and atrophies an artist's creativity and imagination, while paradoxically making the art appear superior. It's much easier to tell a machine to come up with amazing images and ideas than for artists to have to go through the difficult work of doing it themselves. Someone could argue, but why do it the old, hard way "by hand”? My argument is not whether it's old or new, but about what using AI may do to my cognitive skills and imagination. Some have equated AI-generated images to the advent of photography and its impact on the artistic creative process over the past 150 years. Using a camera makes a person smarter because you have to activate your cognitive skills to select scenes to photograph. In contrast, AI-generated images are just handed to you, and then you curate them. "I'll take this one but not that one.” The AI artist has become a curator of images, not an originator. Related to this, recent studies have examined writers who use ChatGPT extensively for writing, revealing that their cognitive skills have declined significantly due to their reliance on the tool. One may assume that something similar would happen to a visual artist using images generated by AI. (Ask ChatGPT about the 2025 MIT study about the use of AI-generated content and the decline of cognitive function.) It's a larger discussion than I can get into here, but these are some of my initial thoughts.
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 Exposing yourself to new art offers a wide range of concrete benefits, many of which are supported by research in psychology, education, and even business. When you engage with art outside your usual tastes or comfort zone, you develop cognitive flexibility, improve your ability to empathize, and enhance your problem-solving skills. Encountering unfamiliar art challenges your perception. Whether it’s a type of visual art, performance, or music you don’t normally enjoy or understand, your brain is pushed to interpret new symbols, patterns, and forms. This process activates areas in the brain related to critical thinking. You may not immediately understand what you're looking at, but the act of trying to make sense of it is intellectually valuable. This kind of mental engagement builds tolerance for ambiguity, a trait associated with higher creativity and adaptability. (Read more below). A Deeper Dive
Exposing yourself to new art increases your capacity for empathy. Art often reflects the experiences, beliefs, and values of people from different backgrounds. When you see a painting from another culture or watch a film that portrays life in a different socioeconomic context, you’re given a window into someone else’s world. This exposure doesn’t just increase knowledge; it also helps you understand emotional perspectives that are different from your own. Studies have shown that regularly engaging with the arts can make people more empathetic and socially aware. There are also measurable benefits for communication. People who engage with diverse forms of art often become better at expressing themselves. That’s not just because they’re picking up artistic skills, but because they’re exposed to many different modes of expression. For example, a sculpture might convey a complex idea without using any words at all. Observing how artists communicate helps you refine your own ability to convey ideas in more precise or nuanced ways. This can be useful not only in creative fields, but also in business, education, and personal relationships. From a practical standpoint, seeing new art can help break routine patterns of thought. This is especially useful in problem-solving. When your brain gets used to the same kinds of inputs, your ideas tend to become repetitive. New art interrupts that cycle. It introduces unexpected elements that can stimulate different ways of thinking. This kind of mental disruption is a key ingredient in innovation. Finally, exposing yourself to new art can reduce stress and improve overall mental health. While art doesn’t replace therapy or medical treatment, studies have shown that people who engage with art regularly often report feeling more satisfied with their lives. Even passive exposure—like walking through a museum or listening to an unfamiliar piece of music—can lead to lower cortisol levels and improved mood. In short, regularly seeking out new and unfamiliar art isn't just a hobby—it’s a way to expand your mental toolkit, improve social and emotional understanding, and stay mentally flexible in a fast-changing world. The benefits are practical, measurable, and applicable to many areas of life. • No need to mix Gamsol and Galkyd Lite to create an oil out • Can be used as a primer for board, instead of gesso. (But you can't apply an acrylic layer over it. Any underpainting or colored tinting before painting must be done in oils. • Made of safflower oil, so less odorous and safer for chemically sensitive people • Dries in a semi-gloss sheen rather than high gloss. • It is a "lean" layer, so thicker paint can be applied over it   (Sidebar: Notice how they always display tubes of paint upside down? This way, when you squeeze paint out of the tube, you won't get a lot of oil first.)
The Psychological and Emotional Benefits of Painting. Creating and studying painting offers profound emotional and psychological benefits. The act of painting allows for self-expression beyond words, providing a safe outlet to process complex emotions such as grief, joy, or anxiety. It can reduce stress and foster a sense of calm through rhythmic brushwork and color immersion. The focus required in painting encourages mindfulness, grounding the artist in the present moment and quieting internal noise. Studying painting also deepens appreciation for beauty, history, and human experience, enriching one's emotional life. Engaging with art enhances empathy and introspection while building confidence through creative risk-taking. For many, painting becomes a meditative ritual that cultivates patience, resilience, and inner peace. Whether practicing or observing, painting connects individuals to something greater than themselves—nature, culture, or the human spirit—helping to nourish a more centered, expressive, and emotionally intelligent self. |
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Patrick Howe, Artist, Author and Educator Seattle, WA. Contact: [email protected] |
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