I’ve been following Yuumei (Wenqing Yan) on deviant art since I was 13 years old (I’m in my 30s now). I know how people feel about AI art, and I agree that it’s a fucking slap in the face and more for artists, BUT Yuumei’s talent is very, very real. She’s not an AI artist. She’s an artist that was testing out some AI shit. And for fuck’s sake, she has been making speed paint videos of her work for almost two decades now. She’s been on deviant art since 2003. Hell, deviant art gave Yuumei the spotlight countless times as one of the most notable artists on the platform. Like are you fucking kidding me?
You’re not going to come for one of my favorite artists who inspired me to try art as well when I fucking remember when she was using the SAI paint tool and very old school photoshop, watched her speed paint videos frequently, remember when she posted her pieces about environmentalism and air pollution in China, and WHEN I MET HER MYSELF AT SAKURA CON, BOUGHT THREE OF HER PRINTS, AND ASKED HER TO SIGN THEM. You’re more than welcome to go to her FB links below and watch the 10 HOUR painting process of one of her most recent pieces where she’s been accused of using AI if you’re up for it. Let’s see if you have the patience.
Attacking talented artists doesn’t fucking help the AI art issue, and y’all are really going after the wrong artist. I’ll fight you before the AI take over or whatever we’re expecting with this fear mongering tech bullshit. Just don’t come for Yuumei. Thanks.
