AI or The Performing Elephant.

 I have heard so much about AI and how it will have an effect on art and illustration. Like every technology that will invariably be true. When I started in college computers were just beginning to be used to create art. In the hands of a skilled artist there were some very impressive results. Some not so much but their value was that they were made in the early days of computer art. Strangely, people considered it somehow "less-than"  because it was made on a computer but impressive for what it could do. 

A person I met who used a very early terrain program once told me computers were the future of art. He proceeded to set the terrain change and angle and let the image start rendering.

"It'll be done in 30-45 minutes." he said." 

To me, it seemed he was missing the whole point of creating art. It's an activity as much as it is a result. I couldn't see how programming software and waiting, like downloading a picture on Compuserve, could be any fun.

I kind of feel that is how AI will ultimately be incorporated into the world of art. It will be integrated into our every-day lives. But right nowadays, its results seem a lot like the early digital art steps. our eyes just can't see it very well.

Yes, people will loose jobs and others will find new ways to use the tech. What I think will never disappear is the loss of artistic creation. It is a deep part of human nature. The desire to create for financial gain is always going to demand faster and faster ways to a product. 

I'm trying not to loose my mind over the influx of AI art. Not easy, but worth the sanity. 

More Inquisitive Thoughts

 While I am usually all about hero figures (Superman, Spider-Man, Batman...) There are a few villains and anti-heroesb I truly enjoy. Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Kaiser Soze in Usual Suspects to name two. But one villain has become something of an obsession.

 The Grand Inquisitor from Star Wars quickly became a favorite. He quietly premiered in the Clone Wars animated series as a Jedi Palace Guard. To become a guard he gave up his name and became an expert in all forms of saber combat.

 GI also had a bit of a feud going with the Jedi Librarian, Jocasta Nu. In his constant search for knowledge he requested to be allowed to read forbidden materials in the Palace Library but she denied him access. Ultimately he would have his chance after the Jedi Purge in which he was instrumental.

 Distracting and killing his fellow guards, he cleared the way for Anakin and the 501st Legion to carry out order 66 within the palace. Afterward, the collected knowledge of the Jedi for thousands of years would finally be his. There were a few bumps on his path such as when Jocasta Nu appeared in a failed attempt to defend the collection. He also had a brief showdown with Darth Vader himself but was ultimately recruited as the first Inquisitor.

  It was clear GI enjoyed his work, despite how he appeared in Kenobi. He lived for the hunt and was happy to show his vast knowledge. In his first encounter wth Kanan Jarrus he correctly surmised The saber technique Kanan used and even who his Master was. "Interesting. It seems you trained with Jedi Master Depa Bilaba."

  His amused banter while fighting bordered on conversation but usually to the effect of putting his opponent off guard. He would analyze technique and threaten with a superior attitude, "Your meager training is nothing in the face of true power!" And he was fond of intimidating through demoralization. "Your master will die. Your friends will die. And everything you hoped for will be lost."

  The Inquisitor always kept a level voice and moved catlike and smooth with no wasted motions. His voice reflected an equal calm confidence. But he did fear one thing.

  When Kanan allowed himself to be captured to save the rest of the Spectres the Inquisitor complimented him on his growth, "You've been practicing." 

  Kanan's final confrontation with the Inquisitor aboard Moff Tarkin's Star Destroyer ended in GI intentionally falling into the ship's damaged reactor. But he left Kanan with a warning. "You've no idea what you unleashed here today. There are some things far more frightening than death."

  Of course he meant Vader.

  I am speculating but I am of the opinion that in those last moments hanging over the reactor, the Inquisitor saw the true nature of the Force and was redeemed. He knew he was defeated and knew what Vader was capable of. I believe this is why he appeared at the Jedi Temple on Lothal to Kanan. Perhps as a form of penance.

  A confused Kanan, expecting to be struck down, was instead Knighted. The anonymous palace guard he dueled with revealed himself as the deceased Inquisitor to explain, "You are what I once was. A knight of the Jedi Order."

  I also speculate that when Vader breached the Lothal Temple he discovered the former Inquisitor and, as a form of punishment, placed him as a malevolent guardian/trap in the Jedi Outpost on Tempes. There, his spectral form, complete with flames, attacked anyone who entered, including one jedi named Luke Skywalker. 

All this is why I am so disappointed with how he was portrayed on Kenobi. Maybe he was having an off year? Maybe he had a cold? Suffering from depression? Did he undergo a massive transformation between the events of Kenobi and when he appeared on Rebels?

The Grand Inquisitor we saw on Kenobi was a completely different character with no finesse or charisma. Sure, he was a cartoon character first, but the live version is treated like an afterthought. As sad as it is to say, I can only hope we never see the character in this form again. 

Justice for the Inquisitor! 

Get Your Motor Running....

Recently, I realized I was not being focused in my efforts. Life is taking a new turn and as a result, I've been planning how to get back to my creative career path.

The glamourous job of pasting stickers on manila folders.... and I'm loving it! 

When my son was born I put much of my career plans on hold to care for him. My patient spouse and I agreed that it was a good financial plan. At the time, my illustration work was in a lull and he would need a lot of care (being just born). My wife's career was more established and paid well.   

I was still able to get a couple of jobs per year with long deadlines but it quickly became clear we needed at least a small regular supplement, I went back to library work part-time. I had still hoped to be able to do some freelance work in the off time but there wasn't a lot of either time or work. 

Now, after 18 years I have more freedom to pursue my artistic career. To that end, I applied for and got a Graphic Designer position with a local government entity. Despite my trepidation, I am discovering that I am enjoying myself. Design has changed very little since my days with Thomson-Gale. The only difference is the use of more powerful computers and more intuitive software. I even discovered my muscle memory for keyboard shortcuts still works. 

Maybe this will be long term or maybe it will be a jump-off point for someting better. Either way, I feel I have a few more options. 

I Never Wanted To Say Goodbye.

We saw his picture right before leaving for a trip. My spouse checked the website every day and he was still there. The morning after we got home we decided to go and meet him.

As we entered the shelter I half worried he would have been adopted that morning. When we walked up to his pen he looked at us like he had been waiting. 

"Good, you're finally here." 

When they brought him to meet us officially he wiggled and squirmed and treated us like he hadn't seen us in forever. His curled up tail wagged and wagged.

We fell in love.

I don't remember how long ago that was. Subconsciously, I don't think I wanted to keep track. A day? Forever? No amount of time was ever going to be enough.

His name was Gator and he was the most loving and gentle dog I had ever met.

Gator the friendly. 

I had never heard of a Puggle before and people told us it was even more rare to see a chocolate one That was G. Always subverting expectations. 

He made himself right at home and established his comfortable spot on the bed. From the first night he refused to sleep alone. During the winter his warmth was welcome, even if he did snore like a truck. He hated rain but loved snow so much he would ask to be let out to eat it. 

But then, he never seemed to meet a food he would not try. One Halloween I spent the evening at the Emergency Vet waiting for both dogs to have their stomachs emptied after consuming a bag of Fun Size chocolate bars left on the kitchen counter. He was also known to steal pizza and chicken from unwary family, once even shoving my son so he would drop a chicken tender.

Out of concern for his being alone some days, we adopted Eve and though they never seemed to be best friends they did appreciate eachother's company.

Eve the fearless. 

Despite her standoffishness they were partners in crime. 

A couple of years ago G started showing signs of his age and would sometimes fall over and shake. The vet suggested it might be a brain lesion. He also developed a cough that we could not find a reason for. Eve was also starting to show symptoms of heart disease. When she got excited or exerted herself she would pass out. 

My son hoped that Gator would make it to his graduation from High School.

He almost did.

Nearly two weeks ago Eve lay down and stopped breathing. She passed surrounded by family. It was hard to tell if Gator knew what had happened. I also worried about his being alone for extended periods. 

A couple of days ago I received a phone message that Gator had collapsed and had a long terrifying seizure. The emergency vet suggested it was time to consider his quality of life. 

He wasn't the same. He seemed to have constant small tremors but still he got up to greet me at the door and wag his curled up tail. It was hard to imagine that this happy little guy was suffering. 

Then this morning in the dark hours he seized again. The shaking went on forever and when it stopped I saw the fear in his eyes. I knew what was happening but how do you explain that to a dog?

We knew it was time to let him go. To let him suffer was selfish and cruel. This afternoon with the sun shining Gator walked in to the vet's office that we have taken him to countless times.

I was overcome. How do you say goodbye to a friend who was always happy to see you? Who never knew a stranger. How do you tell them that you were going to end their pain and fear? 

I had my hand on his heart when the final drug was administered and felt the last beats.

Then he was gone.

I firmly believe that the energy of who we are continues beyond death. I am also certain that the lives we take into our care also continue. I hope that time has no meaning in the next world so that to him we never had a parting. 

Having both dogs pass in less than two weeks has been horrible but it gives me some comfort to know that they have each other. I would love to know they are still around and if the phantom cats I see occasionally are any indication, I expect to see them again in this life and then the next. 

"I'll expect you when I see you." 

And So It Came To Pass.... (2)

Having changed majors I focused on what I needed to do. But it soon became apparent that the courses I needed for graduation weren't being offered. In frustration I saw my counselor and asked how I could get classes in my major. I don't remember if the counselor smirked but the words were clear, "I'm sorry."

The illustration department courses were part of deep cuts during the economic downturn in the early 1990s. My major was a casualty.

Eventually, between financial aid and no classes to attend, I dropped out with three semesters unfinished. I tried not to think of myself as the latino dropout stereotype from the cautionary films. Nevertheless, I was able to secure some art jobs through friend-of-friend scenarios.

Starship wreck sketch for fun.

It wasn't "Norman Rockwell and the Saturday Evening Post"  level work but it paid some bills and helped with confidence. Until the bottom fell out. 

The small press company I was working with suddenly ceased to exist. There was a lot of finger-pointing (as usual) but the whys, wherefores, or reasons thereof were unclear to me. Ultimately I wasn't paid for at least one job and a few art pieces disappeared in the bankruptcy.       

Work trickled in from stranded clients who could afford it but eventually even that dried up. Then the day came that I was working three part-time jobs and realized everything needed to change.

A close sibling of illustration is graphic design. The two often work hand-in-hand and I had already turned down a few jobs because it was not in my skill set. I also knew San Diego State had a graphic design program and I had an unfinished degree hanging over me.

Once again, I turned in my paperwork.

I went back to school with three semesters left to graduate, in spring 1998....

 

TO BE CONTINUED....