Maribeth Woodford
United States
Artist Statement
I didn’t choose AI because it was trending. I chose it because life pushed me off a ledge, first COVID closing my yoga studio and then forcing me back to Corporate America to then find a massive layoff, and instead of breaking, I built. I had to start over, and this time, I decided to create something that couldn’t be taken from me.
AI isn’t the machine to me, it’s the medium. A tool I’ve bent and molded to mirror the chaos, softness, sharp turns, and quiet strength I carry. I don’t care if it’s weird. I don’t care if it doesn’t look like everyone else’s. That’s the point. I’m not here to copy, I’m here to say something.
Every image I make holds a fragment of something I’ve lived through, or dreamed of living through. It’s layered. It’s messy. Sometimes it’s funny or beautiful or off. That’s me. That’s my truth.
I’m not trying to impress the algorithm. I’m trying to stay true to the vision in my head,and the voice that says, keep going.
This work? It’s not just pixels. It’s proof I was here. Thinking. Feeling. Learning. Reinventing.
AI Art experience
What excites me the most about integrating AI into my art is how it allows me to bring my creative imagination to life in ways I never thought possible. I’ve never claimed to be an artist by hand, but my mind has always been filled with vibrant ideas. My AI journey began two years ago, after a layoff, when I decided to embrace AI instead of fighting it. I spent countless hours—early mornings, sleepless nights—learning, reading, and practicing. Now, it’s not just a passion but my livelihood. What I love most is that AI gives me the power to take what’s in my mind and express it visually, capturing exactly what I’m experiencing in my world. Living by the beach has been a big inspiration for me too, and it’s often reflected in my work. AI has truly opened doors for me to channel my imagination into something tangible, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Personal experience
My personal experiences have had a huge impact on the AI art I create. In fact, some of my very first images were directly inspired by those experiences. I’ve been through a lot—being the daughter of an alcoholic, my parents’ divorce at a young age, traveling to India for work in my mid-20s, living on my own, getting married and then divorced, raising two amazing children who are now grown adults, and living at the beach. I lost my home in Hurricane Sandy, owned a yoga studio that I had to shut down due to COVID, and watched my children grow into incredible individuals—my daughter now traveling the world after college and my son playing college football. I’ve created images that reflect all of these moments.
I even wrote a short book titled Bending Never Breaking, and all of the accompanying images were generated using AI. I’d say that my personal experiences don’t just influence my art—they shape it entirely. Every image I create is a reflection of my journey, and AI gives me the perfect medium to capture and express those memories, emotions, and milestones.
Unexpected thought
The most unexpected thought my art generation has led me to is how connected I’ve become to incredible people all over the globe through the AI community on LinkedIn. I never imagined that creating AI art would open the door to such a supportive and talented network. Winning numerous awards and accolades along the way has been something I never expected—it’s both humbling and incredibly encouraging. The recognition and connections I've gained have made me realize how powerful art can be in bringing people together, no matter where they are in the world. It’s been a journey I never anticipated, and I’m so grateful for it.
Prove you are human
Well, I could go on and on here. Most of the proof that I am a human is written above. Life has ups and downs, we go through the toughest storms, we bend but don't break. These bumps in the road doesn't happen to us, they happen for us. Every mistake is a lesson, every tragedy make us stronger. What we go through, we GROW through
