Lately, I have been exploring the idea of finding attractiveness in what might be considered ugly. It's a topic that I felt would be better discussed here, rather than to leave some comment that might be misconstrued to be an insult. So, I'm not going to mention any particular artworks, only that I've been finding beauty in what might not be considered conventionally attractive. I started with the smaller details, finding a character more alluring with features that could otherwise be flaws, like braces or crooked teeth. But, I find monstrous type characters to be pretty in their own way as well. Curling tusks and horns, more rotund bodies, scruffy, scraggly fur all have a certain charm, especially when contrasted with what would be more conventionally attractive features. I think there's something to be said for an "ugly" character.

That being said, there is still truly ugly art out there. Depictions of cruelty, abuse or otherwise hateful imagery are still just plain ugly. This also leads me into why I'm not a fan of AI art. Art generated by AI seems so artificial and lifeless. The imperfections of human made art are what gives any piece its charm, its life. It makes art great, but AI, provided it doesn't generate some abomination, is too perfect. It lacks the life of real art and is just as lifeless and dull as the machine which spawned it.

Now to find the next, cute, ugly critter.