Meet Ghost Salad!
Introducing Ghost Salad (IG: @buffyannesummers.ai), a luminous presence in the WAIA community and two-time Synthesia award winner, her artistry brings a unique fusion of pastel hues, primarily pink and purple, to create young women portraits set in dreamy, yet eerily haunting spaces. Her work embodies an intriguing contrast of rot and decay with a sparkling, rainbow-like twist, offering a distinctive visual experience.
Ghost Salad's journey intertwines a deep-rooted passion for art, nurtured from a young age, with a fascinating exploration into AI art, which has rekindled her creative spark and integrated seamlessly into her life. Her dedication to art, even amidst life's busy moments, showcases her resilience and commitment to the craft.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got interested in AI art?
For as long as I can remember, my friends and family have told me I should be an artist. From a young age, my parents encouraged me to pursue my artistic interests and explore as many artistic mediums as possible. I was fortunate to study painting and drawing for my undergraduate degree and later found that digital art was my preferred medium. Over the past few years, I became interested in digital collage and loved both the pursuit for imagery and the creation process of that medium. It was like searching for buried treasure and I found that the possibilities were endless.
With very few artistic career opportunities in my area, I chose to return to school for a graduate degree in Business Administration and have entered the field of manufacturing. Although I am not a full-time working artist, I dedicate as much time as I can to creating art.
My father introduced me to AI art in 2022. It was an exciting new medium that I could not wait to get my hands on. He had shown me several different platforms to create images on and other AI tools that could enhance my digital work. After trying Midjourney for the first time, I found that I was instantly hooked. I could feel the excitement and buzz in the air while creating again which I had not felt for a long time.
How do you balance your work in AI art with other professional or personal pursuits?
One of the most challenging things I found early on in my artistic practice was that my physical space to create in was limited by not having a dedicated studio space. Having the ability to create AI artwork through my computer and phone has created an accessible medium that does not require physical space and almost no additional supplies to attempt this new artistic outlet.
During pregnancy and then caring for my newborn, I found that AI art was accessible almost anywhere so I could engage in the medium while breastfeeding, waiting in the doctor's office, or on my break at work. This has allowed me to spend more time on my artistic practice and create more than I had in years.
Recently I noticed that I have replaced much of the time I had spent scrolling on social media with creating AI art. When I find myself mindlessly scrolling for a long period of time I push myself to change apps and spend at least 5-10 minutes of that time creating artwork instead. With limited free time, this has helped me to feel more productive in my artistic practice as I now have the accessibility and ease to create every single day.
How has working with AI in art influenced your mental and emotional wellbeing?
Creating AI artwork and engaging in the AI art community has had a significant positive impact on my emotional well-being. I have made so many new connections with people all over the world, participated in challenges and collaborations, engaged in a print exchange, and joined both local and international groups to connect with other AI creators. It is has been absolutely incredible to be in such a supportive, collaborative, and positive community of AI artists. As the medium continues to grow in popularity and acceptance, I am looking forward to meeting artists in-person and attending in-person events.
What advice or encouragement would you give to aspiring women who are interested in pursuing AI art?
When I was studying in undergrad, my favorite professor said that as an artist the most difficult part of the creative process is making the first mark on the canvas. I remember this often when trying something for the first time that may seem intimidating or difficult. AI art lends itself to be accessible to users with limited space, time, and funds which is why I highly recommend all women who are interested to absolutely pursue AI art. It gives women the opportunity to find their own style and voice without many entry barriers. There is an entire community of like-minded women out there ready to encourage, support, and share our journeys with any new and aspiring artists in the field.
For more of Ghost Salad’s incredible work, make sure to visit her Instagram account: @buffyannesummers.ai