Other Projects
Like many creative people, I have varied interests that have led me in pursuit of other outlets from photography to cartooning to fine art and AI. It’s all “Design” at the end of the day. Enjoy!
Aisop’s Fables - AI Storytelling
I have been fascinated by the influx of AI tools into the consumer marketplace beginning Q4 ‘22 with the release of ChatGPT. As a fun experiment, I used a few AI tools to generate stories written, illustrated and narrated 100% by AI. By providing a text prompt for ChatGPT, it generates a story which is then fed into DALL-E, Adobe Firefly, or other text-to-image tools. WellSaid Labs then reads the script and I compile the end result using SpliceApp, then include a snarky, fun comment at the end. As the AI tools advance, so too will the fables. It’s a lot of fun!
Videography
There’s no better way to tell a story than through video. The unique combination of imagery, narration and music trigger our emotions more completely than other mediums. I’ve been producing short-form content for corporate marketing and product support, as well as for artist profiles as time allows. These production and editing skills have opened up many avenues for creative exploration (see Aisop’s Fables above) and bring me much satisfaction.
Cairnguru.com
It is difficult to live in the Pacific Northwest and not be a hiker. Wanting a way to document my hikes and share this beauty with others, I created Cairnguru.com where I provide detailed trail reports, photography, and gear reviews. There’s no place I would rather be than in the mountains.
Wildlife Rescue
After discovering an abandoned baby chipmunk on one of my alpine hikes, I struggled to leave it there on the trail with hawks circling above. I know that nature should take it’s course, but not that day. Instead, I wrapped it in mountain goat fur and carefully carried it seven miles back to the truck. Upon returning home I discovered a wildlife rescue organization very close to my home. The rest is history. I volunteered to produce marketing videos and photography for their social campaigns and ended up building animal enclosures as well. It is very satisfying work.
Cartooning & Illustration
Becoming a professional cartoonist always seemed like the best way to make a living. While that dream never materialized, I’ve enjoyed several opportunities to play in the industry dating back to a gig with the University of Washington newspaper while attending school. Most recently, I completed the illustrations for a children’s book written by my screenwriter brother, David Pliler who was inspired by his daughter who once said, “I wanna stay five forever!” This current version is narrated by AI.
Photography
Photography is a strong passion of mine. I look for what is typically overlooked and find joy in the details, whether they be wagon ruts in the ancient Roman stone or the sand encrusted tongue of a very happy dog. Photography is able to capture the essence of subject and allows the viewer time to process its significance or merely enjoy its existence.
Encaustics
Inspired by the unparalleled beauty of the Earth, I embark on journeys in search of untouched landscapes, often pondering whether I might be the first to lay hands upon a certain rock or tread upon a particular patch of ground. As a tangible memory, I carry back with me a small fragment of the Earth from each destination I explore. Through my art, my aim is to capture the very essence of natural shapes and forms that have captivated me.
The encaustic medium I employ is both fluid and unpredictable, consistently yielding serendipitous outcomes that defy anticipation or control—much like the inherent unpredictability of nature itself. As a heartfelt tribute to this magnificence, I incorporate a bit of sand or rock into every piece I create. Observe closely, and you will discern these elements, bearing a fragment of both my essence and the Earth within each of my works.