2024: Natural Intelligence (NI) and AI Artifice

These images from Clifford Peterson’s 2024 thirteenth annual calendar grow from events, thought, and creations of 2023.

This year’s calendar images represent a tiny sampling of Clifford’s work throughout the year, some of which use unusual materials: handmade cornstalk fiber paper (March, May, July, August, December) and Rubylith—a nearly forgotten graphic art material composed of a cuttable and liftable layer of red lacquer on a clear backing (February, June).

The cornstalk fiber paper paintings are all created with water-based media, all including Irodori gouaches, which have a palette of twelve traditional colors of Japan for each of the four seasons.

January, March and October are all paintings very loosely inspired by memories of images generated by prompts that Clifford gave to DALL-E 2 generative AI.

Two series from earlier years are still ongoing: Mountain alludes to the matter and energy raining down upon Ukraine and now Gaza as well as the countervailing ascending forces (January, March, May, September, October). The flowers of May are native plums in a long lane at Taleamor Park planted years ago by Clifford.

The 48 Contiguous States series explores the cellular divisions and contrasts among the 48 United States (February, September, November).

August, September, October, and November are all images that have been digitally manipulated in some way.

December is influenced by memories of the work of Hilma af Klint, with whom Clifford shares Swedish roots.