Art Post: I Stopped Doing Digital Art

Hello everyone.

Today I want to talk a little bit about why I have stopped doing digital art. This only scratches the surface.

Things have been so uncomfortable in the digital privacy/AI/censorship-o sphere.

I don’t think I can do the best explanation of why algorithms that scan all your files for “illegal material” are not a good idea. This starts to go beyond my area of expertise.

All I can say is that I cannot function feeling like someone is watching over my shoulder as I work.

The nature of my work, my deepest intention for my art, has always been to help children and young adults, especially young women. Considering I was one. I never, ever, ever, ever, would EVER have imagined I would have to worry about my art being subject to anything like this. Especially my unfinished art– Good grief!

For starters... Artists don’t start drawing a person with their clothes on! A sketch or a concept maybe. But when cartoon artists draw imaginary characters in imaginary poses in exaggerated perspective, they need to build the figure methodically. First the fundamental parts, then the squishy muscle and flesh parts, then the details like hair, facial expressions, and outfits.

I feel like I am in some topsy-turvy reality. Like I am a pediatric surgeon, and one day some people approach me: “Hello. We are the Child Anti Harm Authority. Why do you have a scalpel?” “... Because I am a surgeon.” “Do you plan on cutting up children with that scalpel?” “I plan on doing my job and I need a scalpel to do my job.” “We want to make sure no children are harmed. We must confiscate your scalpel. Have you considered using using blunt safety scissors instead?”

Another thing that concerns me is to what extent digital drawing programs might share my art. Even if some supposedly don’t share it with AI companies, their policies can be murky.

It’s overwhelming to even talk about. An algorithm scanning my drawings looking for illicit material... how often? Every few minutes? Once a day? What if it is incorrect? Then does a human look at my file? Do I know if they looked? This is too much.

So I am sticking to physical art for now. It has been very lovely. I enjoy the smell and feel of my art supplies. I enjoy holding something real that I created. I enjoy taking up space with my art and my art gear (I used to hide it away). It feels like my physical art supplies support me. Overall, it makes it feel more real.

Thank you for reading. Stay strong, keep drawing, and please have a good end to your week!

Asya