In this project, artist Holly Picano used AI to create a series a of floating umbrellas, then photographer Eric Cuccioni superimposed Picano into her own work. ©Holly Picano and Eric Cuccioni.
A fixture in the Orlando arts community since 2002, Holly Picano has always been forward-thinking. Her introduction to the scene was participating in live painting sessions at Cafe Tu Tu Tango; later, she became one of the first 200 members of the Orlando Visual Arts League.
Today, Picano is at the forefront of a new frontier: mixing generative AI with art, which allows her to re-envision her original artwork.
“AI isn’t here to replace us artists,” says Picano, “it’s here to give us a bigger, shinier toolkit. And who doesn’t love more tools to play with?”
Picano has dedicated more than 2,400 hours to generative AI and recently released a book on how to create art with AI. In it, she teaches readers how to use DALL-E 3 and apply it to practical, real-world scenarios.
“One of the highlights of creating the book was pushing the boundaries of AI to discover its capabilities and limitations,” says Picano. “Last year, there was a period when the platform could generate almost anything you requested—it was incredibly exciting! Although some restrictions have since been implemented, the exploration process was truly a blast.”
“Teaching others how to create with AI is a joy—there’s just so much potential for wild, unbridled creativity,” she adds.
Picano used AI to re-create her collection “Faces,” a series of vibrant portrayals of women.
“I’ve used AI to bring these ideas to life anew,” she says. “One of my original pieces was featured as a backdrop in an MTV video, and another was used for the label of Peachy Canyon Winery’s Malbec varietal, Ms. Behave. With DALL-E 3, you can craft your own unique style just like you would with a paintbrush and canvas.”
Love from the “Faces” collection by Holly Picano. ©Holly Picano and Eric Cuccioni.
Cat, from the “Faces” collection by Holly Picano. ©Holly Picano and Eric Cuccioni.
To those who are concerned about the implications of working with AI, Picano encourages them to look at it in a different light.
“There’s a lot of buzz, and let’s be real, some drama, about AI in the arts,” says Picano. “While some artists are hitting the panic button, worried that AI is going to steal their thunder, I see it differently. The more AI art there is, the more precious and unique those hand-painted pieces become. It’s like vinyl records making a comeback in the digital age—scarcity drives value!”
See more at hollypicano.com