My Moo-Baru - No AI art for the win!

So after finally getting a Subaru, which I am so grateful for, I discovered Moo Moo Subaru. It's reminds me of Seek N Swag at Dragoncon! It's basically Subaru owners leaving a little bag on other Subaru's as a free gift, a small act of kindness to brighten someone's day, sort of thing! A couple of ladies started this group after seeing the Duck Duck Jeep folks and wanting something similar for Subarus.

So after finding this group and getting excited to participate, I started diggin into the group and it's website, www.moomoosubaru.com . There are "approved" vendors listed on the site that have online shops that sell the little Moo Moo cards, ready to go, or 3D printed cows. So you can buy from them if you want an easier way to start "Mooing" people.

I saw some of the cards that I thought were really cute. I went to a few Etsy pages. With AI being a hot button topic lately, it has been at the forefront of my mind and lets say, I'm not a fan. So I wrote a couple of the Etsy sellers to ask if the art work on their cards was designed by them or was it AI. One person replied and was very honest, telling me it was AI and that verbiage was created, by them, in Photoshop. I responded, thanking them for the honest reply, but that I don't want to take away business from real artists. It just feels a little weird to me that folks are using AI, "bee-boo-bop-boo-beep" typing in some lines on their computer... clicking download and then dropping it online and charging for it. Is it just me? Lots of people and companies are doing it. Doesn't make it right. By the way, there are a bunch of files in the Moo Moo's FB group that are absolutely FREE for members to use, which I think adds to this. Do I over analysis and over think on a lot of stuff? HELL YEAH!

So ALL OF THIS fired me up to create my own art for my own Mooing kit. Sounds so lame every time I say it. Lol. I could not find someone who created their own art (if you are out there, sorry I missed you!). I even looked on sites like Fiver to consider hiring an artist to help me make some cow art. Instead I decided I would draw it myself. Heck, I'm not good at drawing, but why not! If you want a good laugh make sure to see the gallery at the bottom! I ended up watching tutorials, studying pictures of cows and practicing, practicing, practicing hand drawing cows. I wanted something a little less cutie, but still cartoony. I'm definitely a creative being, but have always felt hesitant to call myself an artist because I feel like that's a special title.

After this project, I have an even stronger appreciation for those who excel at drawing and creating digital art! I'm sure they would laugh at how long it took me to do just this small image. I would say from coming up with the idea till completion, three months? All that for what you will see below. I not only had to learn how to draw what I saw in my head on paper, but I also had to re-learn Photoshop, after not using it for many years and never drawing it in! Because after I created this on paper I had to figure out how to make it digital. My significant other had a cheap drawing tablet and it works okay-ish, but using the tablet is also a new learning experience. 😩 I had one million layers in my Photoshop files and a dream!! Lol.

I'm not saying all this to scare anyone into not doing something like this themselves, but to express how much work and love go into art that humans create! I am so proud of what I accomplished even though there were definitely frustrating moments. There are people out there who put years into their craft and they pour their souls and a lot of love into what they do. For some it comes naturally others have to put in the extra work to get better. And that's okay! You know some of the most talented artists didn't start as masters!

I wanted a cow with horns and one without. I probably could have gone with a boy cow with horns and been fine. Oh well! I created two sets of cards for each one and also made stickers for each one as well. I wanted a design that was a little less cutesy and a little more neutral because there are lots people out there who might not want it super cutesy. Yeah, I know it's still cute. ;) I also left a space on the back so I could write a hand-written message if I'm feeling savvy. I really don't want people to feel pressured to go to the website or feel obligated, so I tried to word my cards that way. I tried to be thoughtful about all of it and I'm excited to finally go moo some folks in my area! I just want to do something nice for someone because in the world we live in, we could use a little more nice and a lot less of whatever the hell is going on. Excuse my French. I know you know what I mean!

I might sell my cards online or my stickers for those wanting to Moo others! I have made so many things in my life and have hardly ever made money off of it. There was that one time I made little bags and sold them at a con. Thanks Ashley! ;)

If I post them for sale I will definitely share it on my social media pages. If you made it this far, I thank you so much! I am very grateful. Thanks for listening and have a great week!

Extra note: I tried to download Glaze to run my images through so they would be more difficult for AI to scrape, but my computer didn't meet what was required. :( Trying to get approved for their web platform currently. If you want to learn what it is: check out their about page: https://glaze.cs.uchicago.edu/index.html Don't scrape my images AI!!!

Yours Truly, LittleNeko 😸