Is your creative shadow showing?

AI-generated art using the prompt: The demise of art and creativity (Adobe Firefly)

​With all the new AI text-to-image technology popping up, I'm seeing a lot of artists claiming this is the demise of art or creativity itself. If this is what you believe, I think your creative shadow may be showing. 

First of all, art doesn't define creativity. Creativity can be applied in all areas of life, not just art. Creativity is a way of thinking and doing. It's a process that no one (and certainly not a technology trend) can take away from you. Secondly, art isn't going anywhere. Humans have been admiring art, creating art, and collecting art for many millennia.  

Here are some journaling questions to explore these aspects of creative shadow around AI-generated art:

• Do you see your identity as an artist threatened by AI?
• Are you afraid that YOU (not your art) will be replaced by AI?
• Do you believe that AI is more imaginative than you are?
• How is your appreciation for the long, slow process of making art at odds with the quick ease of making AI-generated art? 

If you find yourself wanting to tell everyone else what's wrong and how things should be done, this might be a sign that you need to do YOUR shadow work. When we focus on what's wrong with the world, we're often bumping up against our own uncomfortable edges and dealing with hidden fears. Getting into the "it should be done like this" mindset can be a sign that you're ready to explore your own SHOULDs, HAVE TOs, and other self-imposed obligations. ​

​If you're not concerned about AI-generated art, but feel you need to check in on your creative shadow, here are a few journaling prompts from my Mystic*Maker*Muse Questions for Creatives deck. You can find it HERE in my Ko-fi Shop.  
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Question #1: What will validate your creativity for you?
Question #2: What are your hidden beliefs about creativity?
Question #3: WHY do you create?
Question #4: Can you let go of the wheel?