"Hey ChatGPT"...

I wholeheartedly agree with Kelley Kelly’s comment above. Its the mindfulness involved in creating my own artwork, and the joy I get in sharing it with others, that keeps me tangling! In my view, the AI generated zentangles are flat, mechanical, too precise, and just plain boring. As a former computer programmer, I will say that there is also a method, (and a certain degree of mindfulness, creativity, and satisfaction) in coding a computer program to solve problems and automate mundane, repetitive processes. I enjoyed that process as well. I do think the training, discipline, and methodology I learned in breaking down manual processes into essential computer “directions” has also helped me in “deconstructing” patterns in my Zentangle practice. As Dr Deming said, “No learning is wasted.” Why let the machines have all the fun?

Oh, I like making my own art. About half of my table settings are hand made pottery; bed covers are homemade patchwork quilts. Nah, rather do it myself. I love Zentangle.

Love hearing your thoughts on this. Just for curiosity I had tried this a few months ago and got similar results. It gave me a Zentangle-ish tile, but not with the patterns I had asked for. I told it that those were not the right patterns and it very politely agreed and tried again. After about the 3rd back and forth with me telling it no, that wasn’t crescent moon, etc. I finally gave up. I never had any intention of doing tiles this way, but wanted to see what could be rendered.
I do love your explanation of what you would miss and will certainly pass that on when someone asks. Great post.

It was odd for me to have this question pop up at this time, having just been a juror for an international watercolor collection. Would we have to be concerned about AI generated material compromising the process? We came to the same conclusion, that we’d be able to “feel” the lack of soul, the “too perfect” and the “strictness” in the offerings, if any were slipped in. Anyway, a “true” artist would always choose the path of inner expression, experience and the giving of visual pleasure to others. Indeed, the physical act of putting pen or brush to paper is the ultimate joy, seeing and feeling something NEW, never seen before and rather fulfilling is the real endgame. Interesting exploration, Rick.

Funny that this topic should just pop up as I was recently a juror for a large international watercolor exhibition ad we grappled with the same question and ultimately came to the conclusion .I think as artists we ’know" innately that something is minus a “soul”. Too perfect, too “strict”.

Rick, you did a super good job articulating the difference between AI & the human touch of creativity.

Rick, you did a super good job articulating the difference between AI & the human touch of creativity.

Thank you Rick for your insightful comments and showing us AI Zentangle attempts. I loved yours and everyone else’s reminders of why I love my Zentangle practice. No two finished tiles will ever be exactly the same…they’re our own creations reflecting our unique selves as we enjoy the soothing dragging of pen marks onto paper. Line upon line with surprises along the way!!!! I delight in the human contact we experience in classes as we slow ourselves down to draw mindfully. Then the cherry on top of the mosaic our tiles create at the finish!!! Zentangle practice = JOY❣️

Интересна дискусия!

За мен везната е наклонена в полето на човешкия потенциал! Човекът има душа, която го води в зентенгъл изкуството! Човекът има истински емоции, които разгръща върху белия лист чрез невероятните заплитания! Машината няма душа, няма истински емоции! И за щастие няма и да има!
Обичам зентенгъл изкуството!
Обичам да потъвам в него и да се нося по реката на чувствата, които ми носи!

Thank you Rick for speaking to this so well. I sometimes lie in bed at night still grinning at a piece I am amazed I just created. I can’t imagine having that feeling from AI however I imagine the creators of AI get the same feeling when their programs work so well. Or perhaps someone who is paralyzed might now be able to explore art in a way they haven’t been able to before and feel amazement. I honour that we have a choice to use the method that serves us….for me that remains pen and tile.

IMHO, asking AI to complete a Zentangle tile is like asking AI to create an Impressionist painting. At best, it is a great copycat of what
others label as zen-tangle (Lower case z intended – Not the real deal). Line art, for example. What it may be able to do, however, is be
trained to look at an unadorned image and break it down into 3 to 5 simple steps using only ICSO.

AI does not create art itself, nor is it expressing intelligence. ChatGPT is a program that was created by people using code. All it’s doing is running the software programming. I’ve been very strongly against AI uses in creative industries since the outcome is computer generated and not the product of human activity, labour, insights, time, and self reflection. Ultimately AI takes away the human component that is what makes art art. ChatGPT did not put pen to paper, following through the 8 steps, and express creativity. Tanglers are the ones creating Zentangle art every time we put sit and engage with our process. For me, my love of Zentangle is not about a finished tile but sitting with intent with my wonderful tools and supplies and expressing my self.

To put it simply, for me the process is more important than the product. Using AI to generate art doesn’t compare with the process of creating something myself. The brain hand connection as I draw is so satisfying. I love seeing the product in the end, but it’s the process that means the most to me.

Computer generated Zentangle—-NOT for me. My thrill is the feel of the paper, pen, graphite and tortillon sliding across my tangles. It’s my ‘go-to’ stress reliever. Gives me comfort to teach my students.

Computer generated Zentangle—-NOT for me. My thrill is the feel of the paper, pen, graphite and tortillon sliding across my tangles. It’s my ‘go-to’ stress reliever. Gives me comfort to teach my students.

I am with Artistic Intelligence all the way. Not just for Zentangle but all art. The human element, in human created art, conveys so much more. I got no special feeling from the example that was “conjured up” for you, by the “other” AI. It’s no wonder how we, in the Zentangle family of artists, get so much enjoyment out of creating. It’s the process, so mind expanding and more. Thank you for this offering of thoughts. It solidifies my love for Zentangle even more.

I have often been asked what my Zentangle tiles are for (and my lace, and embroidery, and glass)! My usual reply is that they exist to be created and then admired. In being created they have fulfilled the very purpose for which they were created! With my bobbin lace, the making and learning was it’s raison d’etre. With Zentangle artwork, it’s the soothing nature of the method. The amazing artwork is a wonderful side effect to be enjoyed and admired, forgotten and rediscovered with “I made that?! Wow!”

Great article Rick…Technology is great but becomes a “quick fix” for thinking. It will never be a quick fix for feeling!

you can just feel that something without a soul created it.

Tools in your toolbox. Not every tool is useful for every thing. Usually you pick a tool that fits the right purpose. Rick and Maria have expanded the Zentangle tools (tangles, papers, pens, watercolors, colored chalk, etc.) we have for making and exploring unique designs. Then our imaginations take off to use other objects for Zentangle inspired art (shoes, clothing, stones, leaves). So, AI (artificial) cannot even compare with AI (artistic). Fun challenge – ask AI to create a step out for one of your new tangles.

Thank you for putting things in such a beautiful perspective.

Right on, Rick!

I love ChatGPT for learning about electromagnetism – a great, patient, infinitely answering teacher for the non-scientist.
I cannot imagine wasting my time looking at the machine or electronic creations of a Zentangle. I do it to be, not to do. (And only Maria could have drawn that loopy map of Bijou….)

Right On Kelley!!! ✊

I’m all for ARTISTIC INTELLIGENCE rather than computerized art. I have been at the very beginning of this technology game . It has its place for sure , but the one thing technology has not developed is critical thinking , empathy , compassion & a soul .

Zentangle is a true expression of the artist soul -and the benefits of pen to paper go very far back in time . The practice of zentangle provides an inner peace no computer program can provide. The completed tile is the bonus.

So true, I fully agree with your blog. We actually defined AI as “Artful Intelligence”.