AI Tools for Artists (That Actually Help, Not Hurt)

The AI Wave is Here—But So Are We

AI has been making big moves in the art world lately, and it’s stirred up a mix of emotions—excitement, curiosity, and in many cases, a lot of anxiety. As a traditional painter and creative leader, I’ve had moments of what does this mean for me?

But instead of fighting it or fearing it, I started exploring. What if AI isn’t here to replace us—but to support us? What if it’s just another tool in the creative toolkit, like Photoshop, photography, or even the pencil once was?

So, I started experimenting with the intention of protecting my voice and enhancing my creative flow, not replacing it.

Here are three AI tools that I’ve found surprisingly useful—tools that actually support artists like us, without stealing our soul.

What Makes a Good AI Tool for Artists?

Before we jump in, I want to be clear: I’m not about tech for tech’s sake. I’m about tools that meet the following criteria:

• Support creativity, not replace it

• Save time on admin and content tasks

• Enhance inspiration or streamline tedious steps

• Respect artistic identity and ethics

If a tool doesn’t meet those marks, it’s not for me—and probably not for you either. But these next three? Worth a look.

1. ChatGPT – For Brainstorming and Creative Writing Support

I use ChatGPT like a creative assistant—not a ghostwriter. It’s helped me write artist bios, outline blog posts, come up with poetic titles for paintings, and even prep pitch emails. The key is this: you guide it.

I still write in my voice. I still decide the message. But when my mind is overloaded or I’m juggling 10 client projects, it’s like having a second brain that doesn’t get tired.

✨ How I Use It:

• Brainstorming titles for blog posts or series

• Refining artist statements for grant applications or show proposals

• Creating social media caption drafts when I hit a creative block

• Clarifying scattered ideas into a cohesive outline

It doesn’t replace my voice—it amplifies it. And that’s a win in my books.

2. Canva Magic Studio – Visual Design That Saves Time

Canva has become one of my go-to tools for everything from posters to Pinterest pins. But recently, their Magic Studio tools have taken things up a notch.

The AI-powered features like “Magic Design” and “Magic Write” help me quickly visualize different layout options for art prints, event invites, or storyboards. It’s fast, flexible, and gives me something to build off—without creatively boxing me in.

✨ How I Use It:

• Making quick marketing materials for shows or sales

• Building branded templates for my FeministArt.ca blog

• Creating Instagram story sequences or post carousels

• Putting together gift guides or featured artist highlights

It’s especially useful when you want to stay visible as a creative without burning hours on design work.

3. Runway ML – A Playground for Experimental Creatives

This one’s for the artists who are a little more adventurous. Runway ML is an AI-powered video and image platform that allows you to animate, stylize, and experiment with your art in new ways. You can blend styles, add movement, and test out surreal transitions without needing a degree in animation.

It’s not for every project, but it’s amazing for storytelling, content creation, or mixed media work. Think of it like a modern digital sketchbook—one where your ideas can move, morph, and evolve.

✨ How I Use It:

• Animating details from a painting for short video clips

• Creating artistic transitions for reels and YouTube shorts

• Experimenting with motion graphics based on feminist themes

• Storyboarding new content ideas for exhibitions or social launches

This tool has helped me push boundaries while keeping my artistic fingerprint intact.

Bonus: Other AI Tools Artists Are Exploring

While the three above are my personal go-tos, I’m also watching other tools that are gaining traction:

• DALL·E & Midjourney (image generators – approach with caution, as they raise ethical questions)

• Notion AI (for project planning and grant writing)

• Adobe Firefly (for generative fills and faster design iteration)

Like anything else, it’s not about using everything. It’s about finding the right tools that fit your flow.

Final Thoughts: You’re Still the Artist

At the end of the day, tech is just tech. What gives art meaning is you—your story, your perspective, your process. No tool, no algorithm, no trend can replace that.

Use what supports you. Ignore what doesn’t. And never forget: you’re the creative leader here.

Let’s keep exploring together.

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Is AI Bad for artists? Thoughts On This AI Art Controversy

AI Is Here—Now What?

If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen it: AI-generated art showing up in social feeds, galleries, even contests. It’s wild, fast-moving, and yes—sometimes overwhelming. But here’s the truth:

AI is not going away.
And honestly? That’s not entirely a bad thing.

A New Medium, Not a Replacement

As a traditional artist, I’ve felt the tension. It’s easy to wonder: What does this mean for people like me—people who paint, who draw, who work with our hands and hearts?

But here’s where I’ve landed: AI isn’t the enemy. It’s a new medium, just like photography or digital design once were. And like any tool, its impact depends on how we choose to engage with it.

What We Can Learn From AI (and What It Can’t Do)

I’ve experimented with AI tools, both in my art practice and my business. Sometimes it speeds things up. Sometimes it sparks ideas I wouldn’t have thought of. But at the end of the day, AI can’t feel, and it can’t express lived experience.

That’s where human artists still lead—especially artists creating work with depth, identity, and emotion.

The Real Opportunity: Let’s Get Curious

Rather than resisting or fearing AI, I think we’re better served by asking:
How can AI help me as an artist?
What can I do that AI never could?
Where can I use AI to support, not replace, my creativity?

As feminist artists, we’re already used to questioning systems and carving our own path. This is just another moment where we get to do that.

What I'm Exploring Right Now

• Using AI to help brainstorm titles and color palettes

• Creating moodboards faster for commissions

• Learning how to protect my work with proper metadata and watermarking

• Collaborating with AI tools to spark new styles (without giving up my voice)

Final Thought: You're Still the Artist

This moment isn’t about competition—it’s about conscious creativity. Feminist artists have always adapted. What matters is that we stay intentional, informed, and inspired.

AI can’t replace your story. It can’t replicate your intuition. So let it be a tool, not a threat.

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How To Use Canva AI For Artists (Easy To Follow Tutorial)

If you’re a hands-on artist—working with paint, clay, ink, or collage—but feel overwhelmed by the tech side of things, this tutorial is for you. You don’t need to be a graphic designer or Photoshop pro to start creating polished, professional visuals that showcase your art. With Canva’s Magic Studio AI tools, you can edit your artwork photos in just a few clicks.

Here’s how to use Canva’s Magic Tools to support your creative process and make online art marketing way easier.

What Is Canva Magic Studio?

Canva’s Magic Studio is a set of powerful AI tools designed to help non-designers edit images effortlessly. Think of it like having a personal graphic designer that listens to your commands—and works instantly.

These tools are especially helpful for:

• Cleaning up background clutter

• Highlighting your artwork

• Creating social media content

• Making product mockups

• Visual storytelling

Let’s walk through each feature with simple examples, no tech jargon required.

https://www.canva.com/magic/

Artist AI Tool 1: Background Remover – Put the Spotlight on Your Art

Perfect for: Product shots, art listings, print-on-demand previews

How to use it:

1. Upload a photo of your artwork into a Canva design.

2. Click on the image and select “Edit Photo.”

3. Click “Background Remover” under Magic Studio.

4. Boom—the background disappears, leaving your art crisp and clean.

Pro Tip: Add your art to a clean white canvas, colored backdrop, or even lifestyle scene to elevate your marketing materials.

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Artist AI Tool 2: Magic Eraser – Say Goodbye to Distractions

Perfect for: Removing smudges, tape, hands, or background clutter

How to use it:

1. Select the image and click “Edit Photo.”

2. Choose “Magic Eraser.”

3. Brush over anything you want gone—like paint-stained tables, wires, or tools.

4. Canva fills in the space naturally.

Real talk: This is magic for cleaning up messy studio shots or quick sketches without needing to reshoot everything.

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Artist AI Tool 3: Magic Grab – Isolate Your Work Like a Pro

Perfect for: Moving your artwork around the canvas without messing up the background

How to use it:

1. Select your image.

2. Open Magic Studio and click “Magic Grab.”

3. Canva will separate the subject (your art) from the background.

4. Now you can move, resize, or duplicate your art independently.

Creative Use: Place your piece on a poster, tote bag, or digital mockup—without needing separate PNG files or Photoshop layers.

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Artist AI Tool 4: Grab Text – Pull Text from Your Handwritten Work

Perfect for: Extracting your signature, handwritten labels, or sketchbook notes

How to use it:

1. Upload a photo that includes your handwriting.

2. Click “Grab Text” in Magic Studio.

3. Canva will extract the text and turn it into editable type.

Game changer: If you handwrite quotes, poetry, or art descriptions—this tool turns them into clean digital text you can reuse for social posts, websites, or product descriptions.

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Artist AI Tool 5: Magic Edit – Make Quick, Visual Changes with a Brush

Perfect for: Swapping elements, changing colors, or adding new objects

How to use it:

1. Select your image and choose “Magic Edit.”

2. Brush over the area you want to change.

3. Type what you want to appear instead (e.g., “replace brush with a pencil” or “make background sunset orange”).

4. Canva generates visual variations.

Artist hack: You can reimagine your studio or presentation setting without physically changing a thing.

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Artist AI Tool 6: Magic Expand – Enlarge Your Canvas Without Cropping Your Art

Perfect for: Social posts, thumbnails, or adjusting aspect ratios

How to use it:

1. Select your image.

2. Choose “Magic Expand” in Magic Studio.

3. Canva extends the edges of your image, filling in new background space that blends with the original.

Why it rocks: You don’t have to crop out parts of your painting just to make it fit Instagram or Etsy templates.

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Let AI Support Your Creativity

You don’t need to learn Photoshop or hire a graphic designer to showcase your art beautifully. With Canva’s Magic Studio, you’ve got an AI assistant that saves time, simplifies your process, and amplifies your creative voice.

So go ahead—use your hands to create the art, and let Canva’s AI do the digital lifting.

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What AI Means for Traditional Artists — And Why We Should Care

I’ll be honest—when I first started hearing about artists using AI, my gut reaction wasn’t excitement. It was suspicion. Maybe even a little fear. After all, I’ve spent my life working with my hands—mixing pigments, layering textures, building something real from silence and space. So the idea of a machine generating “art” in seconds? It felt like a threat. A shortcut. A lie.

But over time, I realized something else: AI isn’t going away. And more importantly, the people leading the conversation around art and AI... don’t look like me. They’re not painters. They’re likely not feminists. They’re not rooted in our community. And they’re definitely not thinking about how this technology intersects with values like authorship, intention, or care.

So I decided to step in. Not because I want to replace my brushes with bots, but because I believe traditional artists—especially feminist artists—belong in this conversation. If we ignore it, we don’t slow it down. We just let other people decide what the future of creativity looks like.

This Isn’t the End of Art — It’s a New Chapter

The truth is, AI isn’t here to erase artists. But it is challenging us to think differently. It’s asking us: what is creativity really? What is style, voice, authorship? And what happens when tools evolve faster than institutions do?

For painters, printmakers, sculptors—anyone who works in physical media—this can feel like a hard pivot. We didn’t sign up to become tech influencers. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t engage. In fact, it might be more important because we’re not from that world.

As a feminist artist, I see this moment as a critical opening. We’ve always been the ones to challenge power, to question who gets to speak, to take up space where we’re not expected. This is no different.

How I Made Peace With AI (Without Selling Out)

When I first started experimenting with AI tools—mostly language models and a few visual generators—I set clear boundaries. I wasn’t going to let the tool dictate my work. I wasn’t going to copy or replicate anyone else’s style. I was here to explore. To use AI like a paintbrush, not a substitute.

What I found surprised me. It wasn’t about automation or shortcuts. It was about perspective.

AI helped me step outside of my habits. It offered variations I wouldn’t have considered. It pushed me to articulate my creative process more clearly—because if I wanted the tool to assist, I had to communicate with intention.

It didn’t replace me. It revealed me.

Let’s Talk About What AI Can’t Do

There’s a lot of hype around AI art. And yes, some of it is impressive. But here’s what these tools still can’t do:

• They can’t feel.

• They can’t rebel.

• They can’t hold context across time.

• They can’t make meaning rooted in lived experience.

They can remix. They can simulate. But the depth—the soul—still comes from the human behind the prompt.

So when someone asks, “Is AI art real art?” I don’t argue. I just ask: Who made it? Because the question isn’t about the tool—it’s about the intention.

Why Feminist Artists Should Care

This moment in tech isn’t neutral. AI tools are built on datasets. Those datasets reflect bias. They reflect who was seen, who was recorded, who was celebrated—and who was erased.

As feminist artists, we know how systems overlook and flatten our stories. We know how hard we’ve fought to carve space for our visions. So the idea that a tool trained on decades of patriarchal, colonial, commercial imagery could now define what “art” is? That’s not just annoying—it’s dangerous.

But here’s the thing: we can push back. We can question the tools. We can train our own datasets. We can advocate for ethics, transparency, and accessibility. But only if we’re in the room.

A Call to the Artists Who Still Work With Their Hands

If you’re a traditional painter, sculptor, printmaker, or multi-media maker who feels unsure about AI—you're not alone. I wrote this blog series because I wanted to give us a bridge. Not a replacement, not a prescription. Just a way in.

Let’s stay curious. Let’s ask better questions. Let’s shape the future with the same fire and clarity that shaped our canvases.

Because no matter how powerful a tool becomes, it will always need someone with a vision—and a voice—to guide it.

Want More?

This post is part of a 15-part blog series based on my upcoming book, AI for Artists. If you’re curious, skeptical, or cautiously excited about where AI is headed—and how it intersects with feminist values, tradition, and art—stay tuned.

You can subscribe for updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and free chapter previews at FeministART.ca.

Let’s build this future together.

— Monica

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