Jean-Baptiste
Monge is a beloved fantasy artist.
Stuart has carried a number of Monge books over the years.
More
about Monge on his website: https://www.jbmonge.com/illustration
And in this interview: http://characterdesignnotes.blogspot.com/2010/12/interview-with-jean-baptiste-monge-part.html
In
mid-September, Monge sent out an email --- in both English and his native French --
to colleagues and fans. He detailed his current Kickstarter project to fund a
book. And he shared this poignant assessment of the impact of AI image
generating on his life and work.
….
the sudden and uncontrolled advent of generative AI and the massive,
unauthorized use of my name in prompts, like other authors, on platforms
dedicated to AI have created for us a real form of parasitism. This quickly had
a significant and truly negative impact on our business and our sales by
drowning us more and more in an endless stream of images. (Generative AI) not
only feeds on our work but also now competes directly with us. In addition, my
position and my strong commitment alongside other artists and friends to demand
fair regulation of AI systems in favor of artists has also reduced my
visibility on social networks. (This has) made communication with my followers
and friends much more difficult. (If) the term shadow-ban doesn't mean anything
to you on social networks I can tell you that in any case it is not a myth.
Artists
are having their souls hollowed out by generative AI. This term makes more sense
to me than “AI Art.” I’m not in the camp that feels comfortable with the moniker “AI Art." Art implies some human experience and creative expression. Generative AI isn’t
creative – it’s just copies for convenience. It requires scraping copyright protected artWORK off the internet -- without credit, compensation, or an "opt out" option for the artists who own the images -- to build the datasets that allow it to function. It’s the most egregious form of
art theft.
Monge’s
distinctive art style has made him a favorite of fans and peers. His unique
style brings a fresh interpretation to the familiar subject matter of fantasy
art. These defining attributes take years of study and practice to achieve. Imagine
having a style and brand you have built for years regurgitated back at you
endlessly online. No wonder artists are exhausted.
The best way to fight the despair
is with awareness. Education. Advocacy. And Action!
If
you love the artists you follow – fight for them. Support what sustains you.
More blog posts on generative AI:
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2023/09/copyright-trademark-and-ai-image.html
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2023/08/deciphering-ai-images-clues-to-look-for.html
http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2023/08/articles-on-ai-and-image-scraping-83123.html
------------------------------------------------
Here is the email by Monge …
My
dear friends -- Margo and I are very excited to let you know that our book
project: Celtic Faeries - The Secret Kingdom is finally LIVE on Kickstarter!!
To stay informed about the progress of the campaign, follow us side by side and
why not find out more about the rewards and benefits we offer, you can visit
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goblinsway/celtic-faeries-the-secret-kingdom
Since
our first Kickstarter Campaign in 2016, the edition of a deluxe and expanded
English version of my best seller Celtic Faeries from 2007 has been a great
success, touching and inspiring thousands of readers around the world. …Since
our return to France in 2021, (I) have continued with my wife Margo to restart
our online store which promotes and sell all my self-publishing work as an
artist, books and related products (Shop on Etsy), since by changing (our
location back to France) we had no other choice than to practically start
everything again from scratch.
Today
is our D-day, undoubtedly the most important day for us since 2016 and after
months of hard preparation we are finally launching the edition, for the first
time, of the expanded version in French of my book Celtic Faeries. We also
decided to take the opportunity to reissue at the same time the English version
of the same book as well as most of the book works (now out of print) that we
have published since the creation in 2012 of our small self-publishing house.
However, to achieve and make this rather ambitious project a reality, we need
your support. This launch is a very strong moment for us but also, I must be
admitted, a terrifying moment (traumas die hard...!!!) so we hope to see you
and feel you at our side during these Next 28 days! Your support, whether
through a pledge, sharing the campaign with your network or simply spreading
the news, would mean a lot to us. Every contribution, no matter how small, will
help us complete this project and overcome the obstacles we face as independent
artists.
Why
do or redo crowdfunding? some of you are no doubt wondering… Well, it’s not a
simple choice, it’s above all a necessity for us. One of the main challenges we
face as independent creators is the lack of access to traditional lines of
credit through banking organizations. Although we have been back in France for
more than two years now, we have not been able to raise the necessary funds to
continue this project by conventional means. Crowdfunding is therefore still
one of the best options in our situation and a viable solution for all those
who, like us, are forgotten or neglected by bankers. This new Kickstarter, this
participatory fundraising is an immense challenge for us but it also holds
enormous potential to reach a wider audience and to broaden our reach and find
new readers. By supporting this campaign through the means of your choice, you
will contribute to the realization of an extraordinary project and to provide a
unique literary experience to French-speaking readers who have already been impatiently
waiting for too long for this French deluxe version of Celtic Faeries. and
finally find our books on our store and during conventions under our favorite
label Goblin's WAY.
If
financing is a recurring concern for any independent artist, I also take
advantage of this letter to draw your attention to another worrying problem
that we, as creatives, are now directly confronted with, image-generative AI
platforms. Of course, there is not an ounce of generative AI behind our project
and it is a 100% human project where the artist is at the heart of his creation
(an ethical, responsible and respectful project).
However,
the sudden and uncontrolled advent of generative AI and the massive,
unauthorized use of my name in prompts, like other authors, on platforms
dedicated to AI have created for us a real form of parasitism. This quickly had
a significant and truly negative impact on our business and our sales by
drowning us more and more in an endless stream of images. Flot which not only
feeds on our work but also now competes directly with us. In addition, my
position and my strong commitment alongside other artists and friends to demand
fair regulation of AI systems in favor of artists has also reduced my
visibility on social networks and made communication with my followers and
friends much more difficult, if the term shadow-ban doesn't mean anything to
you on social networks I can tell you that in any case it is not a myth.
This
unforeseen circumstance, completely out of our control, made us emphasize and
realize the importance of rallying our friends and supporters around us during
this crucial period, even beyond simple networking. Your support is therefore
essential to us and it is thanks to you and your will that we will be able to
carry out this project by showing that we, the artists, made of flesh and
blood, and all those who support us, are more than ever a strong group united
by wonderful and caring values.
So
please share this link with anyone who may be interested in supporting our
cause. Margo and I thank you in advance with all our hearts for taking this
request very seriously. Together, we can make the difference and put this book
that I had so much pleasure creating into the hands of happy readers, the hands
of those who still dream and who will understand, I am sure, all the goodwill
of this project, the wonderful charm of its Illustrations, the humor and poetry
of its texts, and all the love that Margo and I put into this wonderful object.
Join the people who have already shown us their wonderful support and whose
stories we will share throughout this campaign. We believe with passion in our
lucky star!
With
all our gratitude,
Jean-Baptiste
& Margo Monge
Ps:
If you have any questions or need further information, do not hesitate to
contact us
patreon.com/jbmonge
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JBMONGE
instagram.com/jbmongestudio
facebook.com/jeanbaptiste.monge
ca.linkedin.com/in/jbmonge
behance.net/JBMonge
