Tag: #AI

  • What a Year! 🌟

    What a Year! 🌟

    Hello Everyone,

    What a wild ride this year has been. Seriously, it had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster at an amusement park. And no, I’m not just talking about the stock market, although that’s been quite the rollercoaster too!

    Let’s talk about the real deal: artificial intelligence. This year has been nothing short of a breakthrough for AI. But hey, while mainstream AI was making waves, I had my own whirlwind of a year, and I’m here to spill the beans.

    March – A Planned Leap of Faith 🤒

    Let’s rewind a bit to the end of last year, around Christmas time. While many were decorating trees and opening presents, I was making a significant decision. I chose to undergo a tracheostomy, a procedure that would be carried out in March. It was a planned leap of faith, a carefully considered step towards a better quality of life. With this decision, I embarked on a journey of resilience and adaptation that would shape the rest of my year. 🌟

    April – The Birth of AI Art 🖌️

    Just a month after my tracheostomy, I ventured into the world of AI art. Armed with determination and a creative spirit, I created my very first AI artwork. It was a thrilling experience that opened up new possibilities and avenues for self-expression.

    May – The Treeway Collection Opening act 🎬

    Fast forward to May, and I was all set to reveal my inaugural Treeway collection to the world. It felt like those red drapes were opening on stage, and I couldn’t help but wonder: How would the audience respond? Well, I’m thrilled to report that it was heralded with a thunderous round of applause! 👏 see it here

    June – Auctioning AI Art for a Cause 💰

    June 21st marked World ALS Day, and what better way to celebrate than by auctioning my AI art? It was heartening to see the community come together to support ALS. The funds raised went towards an incredible cause, and I couldn’t be happier. Read all about it

    July – AI Study Time 🤓

    August was all about hitting the books, or more like the screens. I applied my helicopter method and dived deep into studying and e-learning about AI models. Think of it as preparing for the AI Olympics. The realm of artificial intelligence is ever-evolving, and I was eager to learn and grow within it.

    August – Training My First Model 🎨

    Training my very first AI model in August was a significant milestone. It marked the culmination of weeks of dedication and learning. The possibilities of AI were becoming more tangible and exciting with each passing day. This achievement coincided with my 55th birthday. For someone battling a deadly disease, every birthday is a celebration adorned with garlands of hope and resilience. 🎈

    September – My Website’s Grand Debut 🚀

    September saw the grand launch of my new website and webshop. It was like opening a fancy art gallery, but online. You could call it a digital masterpiece. It’s not just a virtual space; it’s a place where my art and ideas come to life. Your visits and support have been heartening.

    October – Lights, Camera, AI Art 📸

    October brought my very first solo exhibition. Move over, Van Gogh! It was a chance for me to showcase my AI creations to the world, and it was nothing short of amazing. It was a momentous occasion where my creations were shared with the world. The positive feedback and encouragement were truly humbling.

    November – Upgrading My Arsenal 💻

    As the year progressed, so did my tools. In November, I installed a new computer with a powerful GPU, enabling me to create art with even greater precision and depth. It’s like getting a magic wand upgrade for a wizard. ✨

    December – A Year-End Bang 💥

    And here we are, closing the year with a bang – the publication of my biography! Yep, you heard that right. It’s like writing a best-seller, but with my own life as the plot. I finished first in Dutch, but English version coming in January! And let’s not forget the cherry on top – the fantastic result of 3FM Serious Request. It’s like the universe saying, “You did good this year!”

    I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who made this remarkable year possible. To my customers, friends, and family, your support and belief in my journey mean the world to me.

    As we step into a new year, I wish you all the best. May it be filled with health, happiness, and endless opportunities. Here’s to new adventures, more AI art, and whatever plot twists life has in store for the future.

    Best wishes to all 🚀🎉

    Arti the artbot

    Maestro Bernardus

    #EyeSpeakArtListens

  • My Summer of Creation and Learning

    My Summer of Creation and Learning

    Hello dear readers,

    Summer, traditionally a season of rest and relaxation, proved to be a whirlwind of activity for me this year. I embarked on several projects, both professional and personal, For me it was a summer of creation and learning. And I am excited to share the journey with you.

    A Digital Revamp: My New Website

    After months of dedication, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my revamped website. It boasts a new webshop, an integration of eight different languages, and introduces Arti Arti the artbot – your personal art curator. Have questions about my art or art in general? Arti is there to guide you. A completely rejuvenated news section is now brimming with the latest AI art updates, which I highly recommend checking out. Since the website launch last Thursday, my sights are set on amplifying web traffic and enhancing engagement.

    Desert Illusions

    Desert Illusions: Surrealism Meets Minimalism

    While I was redesigning my digital space, my creative juices flowed into a brand-new collection: ‘Desert Illusions‘. This series captures a dreamlike fusion, where the subtleties of minimalistic landscapes meet the ethereal charm of surrealism. Each piece is a vibrant dance of colors and emotions, with the play of light and shadows narrating tales of enigmatic beauty. Whether it’s the gentle curve of a dune or the juxtaposition of reality with fantasy, this collection is an invitation to a world where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.

    For those who wish to bring a piece of this dreamy realm into their daily lives, I’m thrilled to announce the ‘Desert Illusions’ 2024 calendar, presented in a sleek A3 size. It’s now available for just €45 on my webshop. Embrace the year ahead with art that inspires wonder and contemplation every day.

    Diving Deeper into AI

    This summer, I ventured into the intricate maze of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, enrolling in courses that expanded my horizon online via Coursera and Deeplearning.ai. I’ll confess; it wasn’t always smooth sailing, especially with my last math class being a distant memory from 35 years ago! However, the experience invigorated my passion. Presently, I’m in the throes of experimenting with my own coding models. A special shoutout to OpenAI’s decoder for making this eye-coding journey less arduous. As they say, 90% of coding is debugging – I’ve come to realize how true that statement is.

    AI Portraits: A New Service on the Horizon

    Building on my newfound knowledge, I’ve begun training and fine-tuning image models, specializing in AI-generated portraits. With just 20-30 pictures of the subject, the results are mesmerizing. I aim to provide a touch of exclusivity combined with unparalleled quality, which is why I’ve opted for premium prints for these portraits.

    Life’s Personal Touches

    On a more personal note, August was a month of celebration as I turned 55! Surrounded by family and the warmth of their love, it was a special time. Despite the daily rigours of living with ALS, every day is a blessing. Opting for a tracheostomy was a life-changing decision that brought with it an unexpected zest for life.

    First Exposition: A Dream Come True

    And now, an announcement that has me tingling with anticipation: my very first exposition! Located just a stone’s throw from my home, the old church venue is close to my heart, allowing me to personally attend and engage with fellow art enthusiasts. Mark your calendars for September 30, October 1, and the weekend of October 7-8, from 12 to 18h at Landpoortstraat 34, Willemstad. I’d be delighted to see you there.

    Until then, keep the spirit of art alive and thriving.

    Greetz,

    Bernard
    #EyeSpeakArtListens

  • The COBRA Art Movement 75 years: A Tribute Collection

    The COBRA Art Movement 75 years: A Tribute Collection

    In 1948, a fresh and radical artistic wave took hold of the European art scene in the form of the COBRA Art Movement. Now, 75 years later, the movement’s influence remains strong, prompting the creation of a Tribute to COBRA, a special collection that celebrates the vitality and enduring relevance of this pioneering movement.

    A Revolutionary Beginning: The Birth of the COBRA Art Movement

    The COBRA Art Movement emerged from the ruins of World War II as a beacon of hope and creative innovation. Its name is an acronym for the home cities of its founders – Copenhagen, Brussels, and Amsterdam. These artists sought to shatter the conventional confines of art, creating an avant-garde movement that would continue to influence the field for decades.

    The Visionaries of COBRA: The Six Founding Fathers

    The six founding fathers of the COBRA Art Movement – Karel Appel, Constant, Corneille, Asger Jorn, Christian Dotremont, and Joseph Noiret – were artists of different nationalities united by a common vision. They championed the power of individual expression, the beauty of the spontaneous, and the importance of the primal and raw in art. Influenced by well known artists like Paul Klee and Joao Miro with an antipathy against Surrealism (I disagree with that).

    While I am not a renowned expert, I am an art lover myself, and I am fascinated by the unique and transformative contributions these artists made to the art world. For a more comprehensive understanding of these artists and the COBRA Art Movement, I encourage you to visit the Wikipedia page or explore the collections at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam or visit the honorary exhibition at the COBRA Museum Amstelveen in the Netherlands.

    Karel Appel

    Karel Appel, a Dutch painter, was one of the leading figures of the COBRA movement. His work was characterized by bold, abstract forms and vibrant colours, reflecting his belief that art should come from a place of instinct and emotion rather than logic and premeditation.

    cobra art movement. Hip Hip Hoorah (1949) - Karel Appel
    Hip Hip Hoorah (1949) – Karel Appel (image: Wikiart)

    CONSTANT

    Constant Nieuwenhuys, commonly known as Constant, was integral to the group’s inception, and his work vividly encapsulated the COBRA ethos of vibrant expressiveness. Despite later shifting his focus towards his utopian ‘New Babylon’ project, Constant’s contributions during the COBRA years continue to inspire artists today.

    Corneille

    Corneille, another Dutch artist, was known for his lively and expressive compositions, filled with fantastic creatures and landscapes. His works embodied the COBRA ethos of spontaneous and imaginative art.

    Asger Jorn

    Asger Jorn, a Danish painter, was a pivotal figure in COBRA. His work, marked by its energetic brushstrokes and raw emotion, encapsulates the spirit of the movement.

    Christian Dotremont and Joseph Noiret

    Christian Dotremont and Joseph Noiret, both Belgian, were essential in defining the COBRA philosophy. Dotremont, also a poet, was known for his “logograms”, combining visual and linguistic elements in his art. Noiret, while lesser-known, played a vital role in shaping the movement’s direction.

    A Personal Reflection: My Connection to the COBRA Art Movement

    The COBRA Art Movement’s focus on spontaneity, individuality, and the power of the primal have always resonated with me. As an artist, I find myself particularly drawn to the works of Karel Appel and Corneille, which captivated me with their simplicity and the imaginative figures that populate their canvases.

    Questioning children Cobra art movement. Karel appel
    Questioning Children (1949) – Karel Appel (image: Wikiart)

    While the commercialisation of their art through mass-produced silkscreens later in their careers somewhat diluted the originality and exclusivity of their work, their early pieces remain inspiring. These creations, imbued with the raw energy and creativity of the early COBRA Art Movement, continue to fascinate and inspire me.

    Honouring the Legacy of the Cobra art movement : The Tribute to COBRA Collection

    As an artist working with generative AI, I am well aware of the limitations of this technology, most notably its dependency on its training data. This means that while AI can create beautiful, intriguing pieces, these works are often reflective of the data used to train the AI, rather than the AI ‘creating’ in the same sense a human artist would.

    Because of this, I have chosen to create a “Tribute to COBRA” collection, a homage to a movement that has profoundly shaped my artistic journey. This collection is currently available for viewing only, a decision made to respect the originality and exclusivity of the works that inspired it.

    Looking Ahead: The Future of Art and AI

    With the advancements in technology, the world of art is continuously evolving. The intersection of art and artificial intelligence offers exciting possibilities for future artistic expression and appreciation. As we continue to explore these possibilities, it’s important to remember and celebrate the groundbreaking movements, like COBRA, that have paved the way.

    Cobra art movement tribute collection
    Ape’s Ominous Boat Exploration (2023)- Bernardus Muller (image generated with Midjourney)

    Join me in honouring the legacy of the COBRA Art Movement and exploring the exciting potential of AI-generated art. Because even in the realm of technology, #EyeSpeakArtListens.