Featured AI artist: Karissa Clampit
Some artists dive into AI with open arms, but for Karissa, the journey started with a bit of resistance. A hands-on, problem-solving mindset made her hesitant to let AI step in—until curiosity eventually took over. What began as a practical tool in her work as a business analyst soon became a creative playground, where trial, error, and determination led to a new artistic frontier. Now, Karissa is pushing the boundaries of AI-generated visuals, blending technology with storytelling, branding, and unexpected creative twists. From policy documents to Santa tearing through the dunes, her approach to AI is both thoughtful and bold—proving that sometimes, the best ideas come from the things we resist the most.
How did you get started with AI?
Honestly? I resisted it at first. I have always been a hands-on, let-me-figure-it-out-myself kind of person, so the idea of AI stepping in and doing things for me felt unnatural. But then, curiosity got the best of me. I started playing around with AI tools out of sheer interest, initially with writing and automation, and before I knew it, I was down the rabbit hole.
My first real experience with AI was actually through my work as a business analyst. I spend a lot of time updating policies and procedures, and when the FTC rolled out changes to the Safeguards Rule, I used AI to help break things down and refine my documentation. It was a huge help, but I quickly realized that if I had known how to use the tools better, I could have worked faster and produced even stronger results. That was my turning point. I saw AI not just as a tool but as a way to work smarter and think differently.
What was the initial process like for you?
Equal parts exciting and frustrating. AI seemed powerful, but getting it to do exactly what I wanted was another story. At first, I would type in a request, get something almost right, and then spend more time tweaking it than if I had just done it myself. It felt like learning a new language where small adjustments made a huge difference in the outcome.
But once I started understanding how AI models interpret language, structure, and patterns, everything started clicking. I figured out how to ask better questions, refine outputs, and actually use AI as a collaborator rather than just a tool I was testing out.
How did you refine your technique?
A lot of trial and error and a lot of stubborn determination. I experimented with different models, tested prompt variations, and took note of what worked and what did not. I also started studying how AI-generated content could be fine-tuned, especially in my work, where accuracy and clarity are key.
Beyond that, I paid attention to how AI interprets structure, context, and tone. It is not just about what you input, but how you frame it. Once I learned how to guide AI in a way that aligned with my goals, everything became more intuitive. The more I used it, the better I got at spotting where AI shines and where human oversight is essential.
What’s next for you in the realm of AI art?
I want to keep pushing the creative boundaries. AI art started as something fun, but now I am seeing even more ways to experiment and bring ideas to life. Recently, I made some Christmas images of Santa driving an SxS through the dunes, and that got me thinking. Why stop there? There is so much potential to create unexpected, playful, or even highly detailed artistic projects with AI.
I would love to explore blending AI-generated visuals with real-world applications. Maybe designing custom graphics, merch, or even storytelling projects that incorporate AI in a fresh way. I am also interested in how AI can enhance branding, marketing, and creative storytelling. The more I experiment, the more I see AI as a creative partner, not just a tool. Whatever is next, you can bet I will be exploring, testing, and seeing just how far I can take it.
