Dear Visitors,

As someone who has spent a lifetime immersed in the world of art—photography, costume design, and creativity in all its forms—I’ve often been asked how I feel about the rise of AI technology and its impact on the world of art. It’s a conversation that has followed me throughout my career, but especially now as I incorporate these new tools into Mythos Anthology. Some people have even suggested that my use of AI is “wrong” or “disrespectful” to those who’ve dedicated their lives to mastering traditional art forms.

I understand those concerns, and I want to take a moment to address them personally.

When I was 12, my father gave me my first camera, along with a small darkroom kit from Sears. I can still remember the excitement of shooting black-and-white film and locking myself in the bathroom, blankets shoved against the doors and windows to block out the light, just so I could develop my grainy, blurry masterpieces

That was my world back then, and in that moment, I was a photographer.

Now, fifty plus years later, I sit at my computer and use Photoshop, a tool that has revolutionized the way digital images are manipulated and enhanced. The skills I spent years honing in darkrooms and studios? Many of them can now be replaced by an app on your phone. The career I built as a product photographer? Now a $20 device on Amazon, and a free app, can do the same work. Cameras have become smaller, smarter, and more accessible—eventually replaced by the Smartphone.

So how do I feel about these changes?

I believe that change is inevitable, and resisting it is often fruitless. Just as the factory workers of the early 19th century became the robotics designers who now build the tools that run those same factories, we as humans evolve alongside the technology that shapes our world. We adapt, we learn, and we continue to create.

AI is not the creativity behind Mythos Anthology. It doesn’t make the choices that go into our content, nor is it the artistic driving force behind the work. AI is simply one of many tools we use. The heart of Mythos Anthology, the vision and direction, come from people—human hands, minds, and passions.

I have immense respect for artists who have dedicated their lives to honing their craft. I have walked that path myself, and I will always cherish the talent and dedication that professional artists bring to the world. But at the core of art is the human creative spirit, not the tools we use to express it. Whether it’s a paintbrush, a camera, a tablet, or an AI, the tool is only as powerful as the person wielding it.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Mythos Anthology. I hope you can see that while AI may help us explore myths, legends, and history, it’s the human touch that brings it all to life.

Warm regards,
Victor Ciccarelli (Captain Victor T. Mayfair)
Founder, Mythos Anthology
“Unearthing Myths, Monsters, and Legends with the Power of Cutting-Edge AI”