AICC's Ingenious December 2023 Featured Artist - Stefano Baldassari

Introduction

Get ready for a wild ride in the thrilling realm where tech meets imagination – the AI/CC :: Artificial Intelligence Creative Community is here to rock your world! AI/CC isn't just a fancy organization; it's a global hub where generative AI and creativity throw the ultimate party. Picture this: art and tech doing the tango, and you've got a front-row seat to the coolest show in town!

Our mission? Oh, it's as simple as it is epic – we're here to throw the biggest celebration for the power duo of innovation and artistry. AI/CC shines a spotlight on artists who flip the bird to a convention, leading us on a journey where creativity isn't just unleashed; it's downright rebellious. We're not just watching; we're throwing confetti in the air as we transform creative landscapes.

Now, hold on to your hats because, in December 2023, we've got the coolest cat in town as our Featured Artist – Stefano Baldassari , a.k.a. "Steez," on our Discord shenanigans. Stefano isn't just an AI whiz; he's the guy who'll make you laugh till your sides hurt. If he can't do it, well, nothing will! Dive into Stefano's story, where the fusion of artistic genius and generative AI goes beyond epic – it's a full-blown fiesta!

Meet AI/CC December 2023 Featured Artist "Steez" a.k.a. Stefano Baldassari

Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.??

I am a 42-year-old Italian, born in a town called Ancona (still my HQ). My regular job is to build cruise ships in my town's shipyard (shipyard life is so cool), and I am raising two beautiful children. I'd love to say I have had a special talent since my youth, but actually, no…absolutely, it is not the case here.?

I am just a guy with a great sense of humor. I like people, every kind of people. I love to study myself (introspection) and discover myself or some side of me in other people. I am terrible at drawing on paper. I believe in the power of kindness and inclusion, and this mindset has always given me the chance to be a tourist amazed by a colorful life. I love ancient Philosophy and reading comics and manga!?

As a creative individual, how do your values and beliefs influence the art you produce within the AI/CC Creative Community???

This is tough. I don't know. Being inclusive means being very receptive, so I take my inspiration literally from everything in my surroundings. The smells in the air, the voices, the music. Sometimes, I get inspired by people walking on the street. Yes. I listen to people talking even at the bus stop and get something out of that.

How have your unique background and life experiences shaped your artistic style and approach???

First of all, I don't feel like I am an artist. My approach is just that of a child discovering a new world, playing and enjoying every single game every single day. I am just an adventurer in life. I enjoy the ups and downs like I was on the roller coaster of everything that happens. Ultimately, what is life, if not the most incredible adventure of our existence? I guess this is reflected in whatever I do, images included.?

What inspired you to join the AICC Creative Community, and how has it impacted your artistic journey so far???

Mainly curiosity. It happened just out of curiosity. I always had a lot of unexpressed creativity but needed a way to channel it and give it a shape. Generative AI gave me the means to do that despite my bad drawing skills. Then, I knew in AI/CC :: Artificial Intelligence Creative Community that they were very educated and lovely people, so I decided to keep the ball rolling with you all. I discovered a lot more about myself in this community, and I am super happy to be able to create new friendships here.?

Are there any specific artists or mentors who have played a significant role in your development as a creator? How have they influenced your work???

Two names above all: Brian Sykes and Nejc Susec ! The first time I joined the AI/CC LinkedIn group , Brian's post caught my attention. His daily tutorials were the foundation. Then, I met Nejc in Discord, who asked me if I wanted to curate the daily themes. Seth P. was also super kind to accept me (a perfect unknown) as the Daily Theme Lead. Besides this, I rarely say no to a new adventure. That time, I had very few images under my belt. Still, I had everything to gain and nothing to lose, so here I am now. 365+ Daily Themes straight without interruption, 29K+ images generated on Midjourney , and 700+ hours of usage. UNBELIEVABLE!!!?

As an artist, what are your ultimate aspirations or goals within the AICC Creative Community and beyond? How do you see your work evolving in the future???

As an artist and human being, one of my greatest goals is to make new, valuable friendships. Life is meaningless without people with whom you can share your path and experiences (whatever they could be). My greatest aspiration is always to meet interesting people and create special connections with them all through time. I am an artist of life, and when I leave the place, I want the Picture to be populated with lovely people with whom I shared extraordinary times, whatever we do together. Come on, people, I am open. Surprise me!?

Many creators draw inspiration from various sources. Could you share some of your primary sources of inspiration and how they contribute to your creative process???

Mainly drugs, ahahah… I'm joking. As I described, it is just a matter of being ultra-open to the surroundings and LISTENING to EVERYTHING. Meaning: 5 senses + feelings + emotions + flows of thoughts and viceversa. Then yeah, I work inside a shipyard, one of the most picturesque places on earth. I can never go short of inspiration in there.?

How do you balance your artistic vision while collaborating with others within the AICC Creative Community? What benefits do you find in collaboration???

The cool thing about collaborating with others is the UNEXPECTED perspective. Many people I know are super critical and fight others' points of view. I am always super interested in other's points of view, especially when they radically differ from mine. I want to know and to understand. I can take a trip into their mind. It's like disconnecting from my life and watching another person's movie! Fascinating exercise! Always remember: Wherever mutual sharing and understanding exists, there is Peace. Wherever there's no sharing and understanding, there is nothing.

Inclusivity and diversity are crucial aspects of creativity. How do you ensure your work reflects these values???

I don't ensure anything, LOL. I let things flow as they come and go. I try not to get too attached to any personal idea or fall too much in love with it so I can always consider other aspects of the same topic. I think (maybe I am wrong, I don't know) the less we are attached to something, the more we are inclusive. I am Italian, but I am also European, a human being, a living being. Breaking limits and borders in my mind, letting things flow freely like zillions of magnetic fields connecting each other in any possible way, creates inclusion.?

Can you share a particularly memorable moment in your creative journey that shaped your perspective on AI art and its potential in the AI era???

This is a memorable moment for me. Being the chosen "item of the month"! WOW!! This is a great moment to celebrate. FUCKYEAH!?Another milestone was September 21, when I celebrated 1 year of the Daily Themes with AI/CC. After 1 year, we are just scraping the surface.

Generative AI is still new, and there are a lot of possible scenarios in which the story could evolve. I want to enjoy this adventure! With some Italian guys in AI/CC, we recently made a HUGE DOOH for Timberland in the center of Milano with AI.?I can feel a huge AI wave coming in the next few months. I hope to be ready to ride it, but I have amazing friends to enjoy the ride so, it will be a success!?

A Wild Ride through Creativity and Cosmic Transformations

Could you walk us through your creative process, from the initial idea to the final artwork???

I wake up in the morning and still almost hold my dream in my head. I open Discord in the AI/CC channel , I look what's up on # today's theme, I immediately put on the theme words in "/imagine," and then I begin to play with styles, scene ideas, whatever. Then during the day, I always put down new things as I am working or doing anything else. What I do almost always is to work the same image over and over.?

This means copying the link of the image I like most and refining it by taking it as a reference for the following evolution of the same image with the same previous prompt, adding --iw (image weight). I find this gives more quality to the final image 80% of the time.?

The AI/CC Creative Community values innovation. How do you leverage AI and technology in your creative process???

Generative AI can help you figure out how you can approach a theme or a topic, and from there, you can elaborate, try out, play, and explore with all the ideas bumping into your mind almost in zero time. You can immediately execute the idea that strikes your mind, putting it into an image. This is super powerful if you have a creative mind ready to engage in new ideas and have little time to execute them, check them, refine them, and evolve them into something else.?

Inspiration can strike at any moment. How do you capture and nurture your creative ideas to turn them into fully realized artworks???

As I was saying, this is the power of generative AI. It gives you the chance to have an image sample of what strikes your mind in a few seconds. The secret here is always to have my phone at high charge since I do 90% of the images from there.?

Within the creative production pipeline, there are often challenges and obstacles. How do you handle creative blocks or setbacks to keep your workflow productive???

Mmmm...I accept it and let it flow. Blocks can happen for many reasons, mysterious or not. In any case, I usually acknowledge it, take it, and let it come and go whenever it pleases. I experienced that occasionally, and I know it is just a matter of time before inspiration comes in again in a very powerful way, so I don't stress myself with this thing of creative block. The good side of creative block is that I can take my time and rest!?

Experimentation is a key aspect of creativity. How do you balance trying new techniques and styles while staying true to your artistic identity??

The good thing about AI/CC daily themes is that they always give you a topic you can experiment with, and don't get bored! About artistic identity, I AM ME! Ahahah, I mean, I don't like to stick to a particular style. There are a few that I like the most, like graffiti, for instance, but my curiosity to experiment and find something new overcame my need to find the so-called "artistic identity"....who cares? I want to enjoy the discovery, then IF it will come, it will come.?

Collaboration with other creators and experts can lead to exciting outcomes. How do you incorporate collaborative efforts into your creative process??

I always love to learn new things, whatever they are, so this aspect is really intriguing to me. I enjoy collaborating and seeing other's points of view on the same subject as me! I have collaborated with 4 extraordinary Italian AI artists: Guido Callegari , Manuela Sissa , Eugenio De Riso , and Katya Vettorello . They are my BFs in the AI sphere…after Nina Sabina Caballero ! Me and Nina are collaborating on a cinematic project that will be very cool when we can put it through!??

What have been some of the most rewarding collaborative experiences???

I have been collaborating a lot with my fellow Italian creators, Guido Callegari , Manuela Sissa , Eugenio De Riso , and Katya Vettorello . They are amazing AI artists, and we participated in a glorious campaign for TIMBERLAND in Milano. The campaign also won an Award recently, so it was a cool experience!?

The AI/CC Creative Community encourages cross-disciplinary exploration. How do you draw inspiration from other fields or industries, and how does it influence your artwork??

I tried to avoid influences to have more clarity and openness of thoughts. My main source of inspiration is Nature.?

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The creative process can be both intellectually and emotionally demanding. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout while pursuing your artistic endeavors??

I work in a shipyard, which constantly refreshes me with a good dose of raw and savage life! I like raw and savage life, which helps me throw my brain beyond obstacles.?

Diving into Creativity, Canvas Capers, and Cosmic Dreams

How do you define creativity, and what does it mean to you personally as an artist within the AI/CC Creative Community???

What is art? What is an artist? Personally, I think art can be expressed in everything you do. No matter what you do in your life, whether you are a barber, a glove rider, or an electrician, you can put and apply creativity in your own field and become an Artist of it. Love and passion are the secret ingredients. They are invisible to our physical eyes, but still, they impact the final outcome and give meaning to our experiences as we do THE THING for ourselves and the other people around us.?

Art has the power to evoke emotions and provoke thoughts. How do you use your creations to connect with your audience more deeply???

I love storytelling, so I let the image awaken a story, an emotion, or a thought. In the end, emotions are a Universal language. Emotions and thoughts are extremely interconnected.?

What do you believe as an artist sets your work apart from others in the AICC Creative Community? What makes it uniquely yours???

Just the fact that they come from me, my thoughts, my experience, my life. In many ways, there are pieces of me in each thing I do. Every little thing.?

The AICC Creative Community fosters a spirit of experimentation. How do you push the boundaries of your creativity and explore new horizons in your art??

I always participate in the daily themes. Every single day. I always have a theme or a topic upon which I can experiment with new techniques without boredom.

Creative blocks and self-doubt are common challenges for artists. How do you overcome these hurdles and rediscover your creative flow??

Usually, when I have some "problem" blocking me in any way, what I do is watch one of those videos about the scale of the universe. Those videos show how small we are with respect to the scale of the universe. So small planet Earth is little in respect to the Sun and so on? That helps a lot in putting things into perspective.

Art often reflects the artist's perspective on the world. How does your art contribute to meaningful conversations, societal issues, or cultural narratives??

I try to do my best to participate in these initiatives, and with AI/CC, we are doing more and more. I am delighted we have the chance, in some way, to put light on something where and when there is the need.?

?Stefano's Playbook for Onboarding Adventure-Seekers

As an experienced member of the AI/CC Creative Community, what advice would you give newcomers just starting their journey in AI-driven creativity??

EVERY SINGLE DAY, even if just 1 image, DO THAT! In little steps, day by day, you will grow your toolkit of magical keywords and techniques. Day by day, brick by brick, image by image.?

The onboarding process can be overwhelming for new members. What resources or support systems do you believe are crucial to help them acclimate and thrive within the community??

I like to engage with people, but I don't like to push people to do anything when it is not out of their own will. I encourage you to never give up by example, not words.?

Throughout your time in the AI/CC Creative Community, what valuable lessons have you learned that you wish you had known when you first joined? How could these insights benefit newcomers??

As I just mentioned, with little steps and a strong will to be consistent, even a humble shipyard worker can make something cool occasionally.?

Collaboration is a significant aspect of the AI/CC Creative Community. What tips would you give to new members looking to engage in collaborations with other creators??

Be proactive, and don't fear to show up, ask, or experiment….doors are wide open in AI/CC, and many GREAT people are ready to guide you whenever needed.?

Setting realistic goals is essential for growth. How do you recommend new members approach goal setting within the AICC Creative Community, and how can they measure their progress effectively??

A good metric is the number of days actively participating in the daily theme challenge.??

?AI technology is continuously evolving. What advice do you have for new members to stay updated with the latest advancements in AI-driven creativity and incorporate them into their work??

Always check the AI/CC group page. Many people consistently show up with the latest tools, tutorials, and little tricks to learn. Try to understand how and when you can apply them.?

Building a network is valuable for personal and professional growth. What strategies would you suggest to new members to expand their connections and engage with fellow creators within the community??Be kind to anyone you come across…I mean genuinely!?

The AIC Creative Community is a space for innovation and experimentation. How can new members balance exploring new techniques while staying authentic to their creative vision???

This is super easy now because of the shorter time you have to put into executing your idea with the generative AI tools. It is immediate: you think about what you want to experiment with, put it into the prompt, and there you have its image in front of you! What an excellent time for explorers!?

Critique and feedback can be valuable tools for improvement. How do you encourage new members to seek feedback on their work and leverage it constructively to enhance their artistic skills??

Be your own best worst critique.?

What do you believe makes the AICC Creative Community unique and special? What aspects of this community would you encourage new members to embrace and contribute to??

There are multiple ways you can contribute. You can share your works, make new ones on our server while meeting new people, and gain some followers by showing new workflows.?

?The future of AI-driven creativity holds immense potential. How do you envision AI technology shaping the landscape of art and creative expression in the future??

We are still scratching the tip of the iceberg…who knows? I am curious, too!?

As an artist within the AI/CC Creative Community, what role do you see yourself playing in developing and adopting AI-driven artistic tools and techniques??

Lately, I joined the Krea Discord team, and I am also in a #film3 project called 2137AD . I'd like to help as many people as I can in finding their path for good and getting an enjoyable life from it.?

With rapid advancements in AI, some fear that it may replace human creativity. What are your thoughts on this, and how do you see humans and AI collaborating to create genuinely innovative artworks in the future??It always takes a lot of good common sense and understanding to manage our personal fears, but I think whatever happens, we as humans will always have the need to express ourselves, even if AI becomes better than us. Art is for us to express ourselves and a sort of self-help activity.??

The AI/CC Creative Community thrives on experimentation. What new frontiers are you excited to explore with AI in your creative process as you look ahead??

I'd like to make a new colony for 2137AD with Nina and make some video or something else I still have to figure out.?

The integration of AI technology can raise ethical questions. How do you envision the AI/CC Creative Community addressing and proactively shaping ethical standards for AI-driven art in the future??

It would be cool to open some spaces for discussions about this topic and live events for people of different ages and backgrounds to come together and share theirs. AI/CC has the perfect community for this!?

In the context of the AICC Creative Community, what global challenges or societal issues do you believe artists should focus on in the future, and how can art drive positive change??

Our planet needs a push in the right direction! Art can be a means to let people think about things they don't usually meditate upon.?

The future holds possibilities for immersive and interactive art experiences. How do you see AI-driven art influencing audience engagement and participation in the creative process??

Lately, we are seeing the evolution of generative AI into real-time generative AI with tools like KREA can open many new doors.?

Technological advancements sometimes outpace legal frameworks. How can the AI Creative Community proactively contribute to shaping policies that govern the responsible use of AI in art??

I am an anarchist, so I proactively contribute to being responsible myself, but, at the same time, I am not so prone to telling someone else how he/she should behave.?

Finally, as you envision the future of your artistic journey, what do you hope to leave behind within the AI Creative Community and the broader art world??I live my journey day by day for maximum fulfillment. One thing is for sure. We are writing history pages for new chapters of creativity and expression in human experience.?

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