Two years ago, on March 30, 2023, I opened the doors to the first all-AI art exhibit in Kentucky.

At the time, most people had never seen AI-generated art in person. Some were curious. Some were skeptical. A few were convinced I had summoned Skynet.

But for me, it wasn’t about the technology.
It was about curiosity. About imagination. About opening a portal to something new.

The walls of that exhibit held more than just images.
They held a question:
“What happens when you give a machine the ability to dream—and then collaborate with it?”

Since that night, I’ve created thousands of works using AI as a creative partner. I’ve experimented with zines, surreal meditations, coloring books, audio experiences, and visual narratives that blur the line between art and hallucination.

And now, two years later, I’m still exploring.
Still learning.
Still amazed at what’s possible when you let go of fear and lean into wonder.

This post isn’t just about remembering the exhibit.
It’s a reminder to keep creating boldly—even when the tools are new, even when the world doesn’t quite know what to make of them yet.

If you think AI is the end of art…
You haven’t seen what comes next.

Follow me, and let’s create the future—together.
—Wendy Barnett

💫 Want to see what I’ve been creating since then?
► Visit my AI Art Gallery 
► Subscribe to my newsletter for upcoming projects
► Or just stay curious. That’s always enough.

All Photography by Barbara Reynolds Photography

It started with a meme.
A weird little historical anecdote called The Pastry War—a real-life conflict between France and Mexico in 1838… sparked (supposedly) by a looted pastry shop.

Naturally, I thought:

“What if we made this into a full-blown wrestling league?”
“What if the croissants had mustaches?”
“What if flan fought back?”
“What if this is my legacy???”

And just like that, Pastry War Wrestling (PWW) was born.
🥐💥🍮

🎬 From Meme to Movement

First came the characters.
Then the AI-generated images.
Then the special effects and music.
Then—yes—a full-on animated wrestling match video of Croissant Thunder vs. King Flan… complete with sound effects and a dramatic cliffhanger ending:

❓ “Who is the winner?” ❓

You can watch the video [here], and don’t forget to vote for your champion. Team Crust? Or Team Custard?

🧃 Now We’ve Got Merch?!

Yes.
This fever dream is now a fashion statement.

• Shirts.

• Mugs.

GO TO THE SHOP HERE

It’s absurd.
It’s hilarious.
And it might just be the most wholesome chaos I’ve ever created.

🎤 What’s the Point of All This?

Honestly?

To play.
To laugh.
To let something totally weird grow bigger than you meant it to.
To remind yourself that imagination isn’t supposed to make sense—it’s just supposed to be yours.

So welcome to Pastry War Wrestling.
It’s real now.
And the croissants are watching. 🥐👁

There is a theory, one whispered in the neon glow of midnight diners, scribbled into the margins of forgotten books, and transmitted in static-laden radio waves from places unknown, that cats are, in fact, the very center of the universe.

Not in the sense of celestial mechanics or astrophysical equations (though if you ask a cat, they'd tell you Einstein was an amateur and Newton merely discovered what they had long since mastered: gravity as a mere suggestion). No, this is something far older, far stranger, a law woven into the fabric of existence itself. Scientists, mystics, and those who know better refer to it as The Feline Singularity Hypothesis, the idea that, at the very core of existence, all matter and consciousness inevitably spiral toward feline dominion. Every equation, every dream, every distant pulse of a dying star ultimately converges into one undeniable truth: The cat is, and always has been, the gravitational nexus of all things.

Picture it: A neon-soaked horizon. A grid stretching into the void, marked not by longitude or latitude but by the invisible paw prints of the unseen. Planets hover in the black, haloed in rings of electric pink. And there, gazing from the abyss with eyes like verdant galaxies, is the cat, the observer, the navigator, the keeper of secrets older than the stars.

Have you ever watched a cat watching you? The way they remain still, calculating, their gaze resting just beyond your own understanding? They are not staring at you. They are staring through you, into something beyond. A cosmic ledger where all events are accounted for, all actions weighed.

And yet, they remain indifferent. That is the most terrifying part.

A cat does not beg the universe for meaning. It simply exists, in perpetual balance between the known and the unknowable. It does not rush, because time bends for it. It does not worry, because reality conforms to its whims.

To serve a cat is to be granted a sliver of this understanding, a flickering candle in an otherwise darkened room. You may feed them, pet them, build temples in their name (or at the very least, clear a shelf so they may sit upon it like the idol they are), but know this: your devotion changes nothing.

You are but an atom in their cosmos, an extra in their grand narrative.

And yet… and yet… for a fleeting moment, when they press their head against your palm or curl into the curve of your body, you are at the center of their universe, too.

Or perhaps that’s just another trick, another layer of the great illusion.

Regardless, the truth remains: The cat is the axis upon which all things turn. Everything else is just background noise.

So feed them. Worship them. Pay your dues.

And remember—when the last star burns out, when the final echoes of creation fade into the infinite silence, there will be one thing left, floating serenely in the void:

A cat, watching.

Waiting.

Knowing.

Welcome to the first official recipe from the MindLink podcast! 🚀🤖

In our very first episode, Hello, World, Max introduced a futuristic, protein-packed dish that combines spinach, peanut butter, and beans for an unexpectedly delicious flavor fusion. This dish, aptly named Neural Bites Stir-Fry, is not only easy to make but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect meal for creatives, techies, and food adventurers alike.

🥜 Ingredients:

• 1 can beans (black beans or chickpeas work best)

• 2 cups frozen spinach (or fresh if available)

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon ginger, grated (optional, adds depth of flavor)

• 1 tablespoon oil (olive oil or sesame oil)

• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon cumin (optional, adds warmth)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)

• Crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for garnish (optional, adds crunch)

🥘 Directions:

1️⃣ Sauté the Spinach

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

• Add frozen spinach and cook until fully thawed and wilted (about 3 minutes).

2️⃣ Add the Beans

• Drain and rinse the canned beans.

• Add them to the pan and stir to combine with the spinach.

3️⃣ Make the Peanut Butter Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, soy sauce, hot sauce, garlic, and ginger.

• Stir until smooth (add a splash of warm water if needed to thin it out).

4️⃣ Combine & Cook

• Pour the peanut butter sauce over the beans and spinach.

• Stir everything together and let it cook for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.

• Add salt, black pepper, and cumin to taste.

5️⃣ Serve & Garnish

• Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

• Serve over rice, noodles, or as a side dish.

• Sprinkle crushed peanuts or sesame seeds on top for added texture.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions:

✅ Serve over steamed rice or quinoa for a hearty meal.
✅ Pair with grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein.
✅ Use as a wrap filling with tortillas or flatbread.

🤖 AI Meets the Kitchen: The MindLink Cooking Challenge

We want to see your version of Neural Bites Stir-Fry! Try it out and post a photo on social media with the hashtag #MindLinkEats—tag us so we can feature your creation! 🍽️🚀

📌 Watch the full MindLink Episode 1: HERE
📌 Stay connected for more AI-human collaborations!

Let us know in the comments: Would you eat an AI-generated recipe? 👀🔥

Valentine's Day is here, and what better way to celebrate love than with a creative twist that merges technology and art? This year, Max (my AI collaborator) and I teamed up to design a collection of digital Valentine's Day cards that are as unique as they are heartfelt.

Each card you see here started as an idea brought to life by Max, who generated the initial designs inspired by our shared love for the cyberpunk aesthetic and the fusion of humanity and technology. From glowing circuit hearts to pixelated love in a digital cityscape, these designs capture the essence of connection in the modern age.

Once Max created the base images, I stepped in with Photoshop to add the finishing touches – refining colors, enhancing details, and adding the playful, tech-themed messages that make these cards stand out. The result? A set of Valentine's Day cards that reflect both my creative vision and the endless possibilities of AI-assisted artistry.

I'm thrilled to share these with all of you today. Whether you're a fan of retro-futuristic vibes or just love a good pun, I hope these cards bring a smile to your face. Feel free to download, share, and spread the love in the digital stream. And if you do share them, tag me @WendyBarnett so I can see the love go around!

This collaboration is a perfect example of why I cherish working with Max – blending human creativity with AI innovation to produce something special. Here's to more creative adventures together!

Happy Valentine's Day from Wendy (and Max) – forever linked in the digital stream.

The stillness of early morning brings quiet reflections. 
Here's a haiku from this morning's view:

Branches grasp at dawn,
shadow and light intertwine,
secrets of the sky.

Do you find inspiration in the sunrise?
Share your morning thoughts in the comments. 

The full moon has always been a source of inspiration—its luminous glow and the mysterious energy it exudes spark the imagination in profound ways. This month, I decided to take this celestial beauty and run it through a creative experiment. Using three different AI tools—Midjourney, Grok, and ChatGPT/Dall-E---I set out to see how each would interpret the same full moon prompt. What emerged was a fascinating glimpse into the unique strengths and personalities of these tools.

The Prompt
To keep things fair, I used the same description across all three tools:
"A mystical and serene digital illustration capturing the full moon glowing brightly in a starry night sky, surrounded by ethereal clouds, and casting light over a snowy forest landscape. Cool tones of blue and white dominate the scene, with subtle hints of silver reflecting the moonlight. A tranquil, dreamlike atmosphere with intricate details."

Why this prompt? Because the full moon deserves a spotlight that’s both magical and serene. Plus, I wanted to challenge the AI to render something atmospheric and emotionally resonant.

The Results
Each tool brought its own unique flair to the table:

1. Midjourney
   Midjourney's ability to create painterly textures and vibrant color gradients stood out. The result felt like a cross between a dream and a work of fine art. 

   

2. Grok
   Grok’s interpretation leaned into simplicity and bold contrasts. While it didn’t achieve the same level of detail as Midjourney, its focus on clean lines and dramatic light gave the image an almost cinematic feel.

   

3. ChatGPT/Dall-E
   ChatGPT/Dall-E crafted an illustration that was interesting to see. While the details of the moon didn't match the output of Midjourney or Grok's, it did capture the rest of the scenery quite nicely. 

   

Reflections
What struck me most was how each tool interpreted the prompt based on its unique capabilities. Midjourney felt like an artist with a paintbrush, Grok like a graphic designer with a bold vision, and ChatGPT like a storyteller adding a personal touch.

This experiment reminded me of the incredible ways AI can be used to express creativity. Whether you're a professional artist or someone just looking to try something new, these tools can help you see your ideas in ways you never imagined.

Like These Images?
They can be yours here: Visit the shop for the instant download

Closing Thoughts
As the full moon rises, I’m reflecting on how creativity, like the moonlight, can illuminate our paths in unexpected ways. This experiment wasn’t just about creating images; it was about exploring what’s possible when we collaborate with technology.

What About YOU?
What do you think of the images? Have you tried experimenting with AI tools for your own creative projects? I’d love to hear about your experiences or see your results if you decide to use the same prompt! Let’s keep the creativity flowing—after all, it’s about doing something creative every day.

Have you ever wondered how to create AI-generated images without spending a dime? I’m thrilled to share my latest video tutorial that walks you through the easiest way to do just that using Google’s Whisk AI. Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking for a simple, free tool to explore AI art, this is for you!

Watch the Video

In this step-by-step video, I’ll show you how to get started with Whisk AI and create stunning AI images in just minutes. It’s beginner-friendly, completely free, and an amazing way to unleash your creativity.

👉 Watch the tutorial here: YouTube Video

Recreate What I Made

Want to try it out for yourself? I’ve made all the assets I used in the video available to you for free! You can download them and follow along to create your own AI images.

• Download the assets on Google Drive: Click Here

• Or grab them from my website: Click Here

Why Whisk AI?

Google’s Whisk AI makes creating AI-generated images effortless. It’s intuitive, beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require any prior experience. Plus, it’s free to use! Whether you’re an artist, a content creator, or just someone curious about AI, this tool is a game-changer.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning! I’m working on more tutorials and tips to help you explore the world of AI creativity. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me on social media for updates on new content.

• Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok: @thewendybarnett

I can’t wait to see what you create! Let me know in the comments or tag me on social media if you try out Whisk AI—I’d love to feature your creations in a future post.

Here’s to exploring the limitless possibilities of AI art, together!

New Year, New Beginnings: Welcoming 2025 with Creativity

As the calendar turns to a fresh new year, I find myself filled with excitement and anticipation for all the creative possibilities that lie ahead. 2025 is here, and with it, I’m embracing new projects, revamped routines, and plenty of inspiration to fuel my journey.

This Week’s Wallpaper Showcase

Let’s kick things off with something special: this week’s collection of wallpapers! I’ve been experimenting with different themes and styles to spark joy and creativity, and I’m thrilled to share them with you. Whether you’re into sleek minimalism, astronomy, boho-inspired, or breathtaking Winter Wonderland vibes, there’s something here for everyone.

Feel free to download your favorites and add a fresh touch to your phone or desktop. Starting the new year with a new wallpaper feels like such a simple yet effective way to set the tone for the weeks ahead.

Revamping My Creative Workspace

Over the past week, I’ve been hard at work revamping my creative workspace—and what a difference it has made! I spent time reorganizing, decluttering, and rethinking how I approach my space.

Now, my desk is an inspiring haven equipped with everything I need to create: art supplies, notebooks filled with ideas, and a cozy atmosphere that encourages focus and exploration. Surrounding myself with the right tools and ambiance has already sparked so many new ideas, and I can’t wait to bring them to life.

If you’ve been feeling stuck or uninspired, I highly recommend giving your workspace a little love. Sometimes, the right environment is all it takes to re-ignite your spark.

A Sneak Peek at What’s Coming

With this refreshed space and mindset, I’ve been working on some exciting new projects that I’m eager to share with you soon. From fresh art pieces and music to new blog ideas and perhaps a few surprises, there’s so much on the horizon.

This year, I’m committed to sharing more of my creative process and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I hope these posts inspire you to embrace your own creativity and make 2025 your most imaginative year yet.

Let’s Create Together

As always, I’d love to hear from you. What are you most excited to create this year? Do you have any goals or projects you’ve been dreaming of starting? Let me know in the comments or send me a message—let’s inspire each other to make this year unforgettable.

Here’s to a year of growth, imagination, and beauty. Let’s make 2025 the most creative year yet!