We recently connected with Jen Palmer and have shared our conversation below.

Jen, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Definitely. It surprised me. I had always been interested in technology and started working with artificial intelligence a couple of years ago. The first time I trained a model on my work, I was hooked! The process is so reflective. I have a background in art therapy, and personal experience with C-PTSD, so I really saw value in this and embraced the medium. The interactions I’d had about the work up to this point were mostly curious, positive, and with people who knew me in some way already. I think it made sense to them in the scope of my practice, even if they didn’t really get what I was doing. Then when I first showed the work publicly and started to talk about it, I was taken aback by the suspicion and hostility toward using artificial intelligence (AI).
Was it my work? Was I afraid it would get taken over? Was I afraid it wouldn’t be my work anymore? Was it art? Was artificial intelligence doing all the work?
I was also surprised that these ideas about artificial intelligence in art would continue to get worse over time. With the introduction of several text-to-image AIs, and their mass accessibility, recently as mobile apps reaching the mass market, artists and the general public are stirred up about what this means for art and artists. The levels of misunderstanding and hostility are scary. Other artists are talking about banning art that uses AI and spreading misinformation while believing it’s true. I think we’re largely illiterate as a society when it comes to modern media. We have so much information and so little skill at determining the biases and motivations behind the information. A lot of what I see circulating and being “cited” isn’t scientific, it’s from reactionary opinion pieces. Research and ethical considerations have been being made for years, at a professional level. Some of the scary things aren’t exclusive to AI in art, they’re systemic issues.
When it comes to AI in art, I wish people could let down their guard enough to be curious. I’ve been inviting them into conversation, to join me in using these tools and experiencing this process.

Jen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As an artist, I use a variety of media. My background includes studio art, digital media, analog and digital photography, and phenomenological and existential art therapy. I also have a variety of health issues, including C-PTSD, fibromyalgia, and migraine. I mention this because it’s all part of my education and experience, contributing to the work I make. The themes of holding space, making connections, exploring the in-between, and expressing radical hope have always been there, whether I’m making an abstract intuitive painting, taking photographs, or inviting the public to create with me. I believe in the power of art to heal, to help us understand ourselves, and understand each other.
While my current process is my own form of mindfulness practice, I want others to experience it, to have space held for them also, to reflect on the energy being shared, and to be reminded by my work, about who they are. When we have a safe container for it, we can sit with uncomfortable things.
I’m also developing different ways to share my practice with others, including teaching how to use AI art tools in fine art, for creative expression, and in reflective mindfulness practice.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I started having fibromyalgia symptoms when I was in high school, but I didn’t get a diagnosis until after I graduated with my master’s degree, so I really struggled with my physical and mental health. It’s really tough to feel terrible, to be losing abilities, having dyscognition, and have doctors, friends, and family not believe you and tell you you’re fine. I tried a lot of different things and eventually got into an intensive program for fibromyalgia patients that helped me tremendously. I also tried a variety of therapists, physical and mental health-related, and some of them were just awful. I didn’t rule out finding the right people for me, however. I got some more diagnoses, which helps with treatments. I worked with an amazing EMDR therapist, and I am so glad I was open to trying new doctors, methods of treatment, and therapies because it truly helped. Creatively, I had to shift focus several times because of my health. The impact of losing abilities can be devastating. I always turned to some other form of creating. It was imperative that I found a way.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I’m a huge proponent of universal basic income, healthcare, education, and housing. As a society, we have enough resources and the power to lift everyone up, and free people from the struggle to survive. Everyone can be creative, but not everyone has that privilege. Capitalism stifles creatives the same way it stifles the majority of society. We can change that so everyone can thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jenpalmer.art
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/jenpalmerart
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/jenpalmerart
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenpalmerart