Last week, I took part in a holiday sale event. It was held in a fancier part of town and shoppers had to RSVP in order to attend. There was a coffee and a champagne bar and some shoppers in evening attire.

Was the table free? Absolutely not! For the cha-ching price of $275.00, I paid to have a table in order to sell my stationery. When I got there, there was no table for me and the organizers seemed to have no idea where to put me. So I waited and they sorted it out.

My allocated space was tight and there was hardly anywhere to put my products.

As it turned out, it was the best spot for me. My table-neighbour was not only someone I’d met before, but a very kindred spirit.

I didn’t know what to expect but, I figured, at the very least, I’d sell my holiday cards and some of my 2026 calendars. If all went well, I’d close the evening with very little stock and be able to start creating new designs for my shop in January. What better way to start the new year?

Did that happen? Absolutely not! Not only did I not make back the money I spent on the table, I left with a somewhat crumpled spirit.

The organizers promised 600+ buyers and I’m certain that over the course of the evening, that many people came.

At a nearby table, a vendor was selling bags, notebooks, pencils, pens, sticky notes and To Do notepaper. Happy Fucking Birthday, was all one card said in black font on a white background. That was it.

Everything smelled of a print-on-demand company.

Write your message. Like Manifest Your Destiny, as one canvas tote declared!
Click to chose a font,
Click to choose a colour.
Click to have gradient colour.
Click to choose the product on which this message will be printed.
Add to Cart.
Done.

Each time I glanced over, credit cards and shopping bags were being exchanged across the table.

I looked at my stationery — all made by my hand — and it hit me. This is the state of art as it is today.

Please don’t think for a moment that I am angry or jealous or bitter or cynical about this. I have drawn certain boundaries for myself and using AI for anything is one I hope to never trespass.

I’ll present you with two different tracts.

On one hand, there are some who harvest slogans from social media or ask AI to create it. Several sites make it easy by listing these slogans to be added onto merchandise.

Too Glam to Give a Damn
I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss
Confidence Level: Selfie with No Filter
I Speak Fluent Meme
Hustle Beats Talent

A corollary of this is that AI has gained a foothold in our cultural conversation because by using these click-click-print sites, we’ve opened the doors and ushered in AI.

With a few clicks, these messages can be added onto apparel, bags, stationery and other goods which can be sold cheaply at pop-ups and online store fronts. The cultural, financial and ecological impacts are huge.

On the other hand, some choose to make art. Art takes time; it takes thought, effort and patience. Talent isn’t a prerequisite but creative expression does require dedication and persistence.

This event was not the right place for me, in much the same way that going into a shop that sells art supplies or artisanal goods would not be the right place for many of last week’s shoppers. A business person I am not. I don’t even trust myself to make the correct change for people who buy with cash. But knowing oneself is instrumental, so while I may not be a business wiz, I do know that I’m persistent and have made a pact with myself to keep making art with my two hands.

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