If you want it done right...

Hi!

See that lady on the ladder?

Yep, that's actually me. My assistant took that picture as I put the finishing touches on a waterfall mural 20 feet up above a client's fireplace.

That was awhile back and I no longer do work that takes me higher than my 3-step ladder will let me reach.

But that didn't stop someone from using AI to add a "Free" business listing to their contractor platform on my behalf without consulting me.

Then they sent an email early this morning congratulating me for capturing their auspicious attention and invited me to check out 'my' listing. They clearly gleaned Facebook images of me performing tasks I don't do anymore.

Thankfully, they also allowed me to remove the listing, but not before they offered to use AI to manage my business for me...just pay them a 'modest' fee to do it all FOR me. I wouldn't have to lift a finger, said they.

In my humble experience, nothing good ever comes of letting someone else (let alone a rogue algorithm) do it all for you, especially when they claim to be able to think and talk like you.

They can't because they aren't you!

They don't have the same precise interwoven set of experiences that influenced the person you've become.

Ahh...

So now you know the theme of this week's letter. It's a bit off the beaten trail, but I think this is as good a time as any to address this as it relates to an artist's business practice.

Let's be clear. I'm not completely against AI as a brainstorming or research tool. But I do not and will never let it speak, think, or act FOR me.

A tool's potential for good or harm lies with the one using it. So Ai is neither good nor evil in itself. But it sure can cause trouble in the wrong hands.

Something similar happened before AI became so common.

A number of years ago, before I built my website using FASO, I tried another web builder called Weebly. Here's how THAT went:

They assigned me a fellow who was to use the writing and images I would provide and arrange it all in an attractively packaged website with top notch SEO so people looking for mural services were sure to find me and beg to hire me.

If something sounds too good to be true, it nearly always is...

But I was busy and thought I would try anyway.

I suppose that could have worked IF that guy had waited for my images and written descriptions. I had 30 days in which to get that to him and was told I would have the option to ask for edits and sign my approval BEFORE it went live.

Instead of waiting, he pulled together a site for me while I was out of state on a mural project. Then he sent me an email congratulating me that it was now live. This was 26 days before the deadline.

Startled that they went live without my consent, I looked at his work on my behalf. Here's what I found.

The images were of exterior murals, not even close to my style and clearly from many different artists, most on massive highrise city buildings. Yikes!

My name was misspelled repeatedly throughout and the guarantee made lavish promises I simply would never even consider offering.

But the real shocker was when I clicked on the word Contact. The image was of a crumbling wall with graffiti and gunshot holes.

To the side there was a bush.....and sticking out of it was a human leg lying on the ground with a bullet hole in the ankle and blood pooled up around it. Wish I'd gotten a screenshot of it at the time, but I was too horrified.

Of COURSE I clicked 'unpublish' and requested a refund, which they issued grudgingly and only a very small part. Had I checked Weebly's reviews, I would never have gone with them.

My friend, I hope these two very real examples encourage you to use great caution the next time someone offers you any sort of 'done-for-you' service.

So you will never see AI generated artwork or writing from me.

When I do use it, it is ONLY for brainstorming and research.

I'll do my own writing myself, thank you. When I teach people to write their stories, I may co-write, ghost-write, or offer feedback, but will never attempt to do your thinking for you.

You have my word!

Now go get you some birdsong!

Jan