Tery Spataro is a creative innovator specializing in generative AI, with a journey that spans traditional art, digital design and groundbreaking AI-driven storytelling. Her work blends technology, art and human connection, inspiring others to explore new creative possibilities.
Tell me about yourself and your background.
I’m originally from Wolcott, a small town in Connecticut, but I’ve lived and created all over — from New York to Chicago to Boulder to Gilbert, Arizona, and now here in Ponte Vedra, Florida. I moved here because I wanted to be close to my family, nature, surrounded by beauty and peace, but also stay connected to a growing creative and tech-savvy community. It’s the perfect place to reflect, dream big and bring those dreams to life.
Tell me about your artistic background. I understand your specialty is working with AI, but was it always?
Yes, my specialty now is generative AI, but not in the beginning! My journey started with traditional art.
My initial studies started at Paier College of Art then I went to Albertus Magnus College to get my BFA in the ’80s. I have an uncompleted MFA from Pratt Institute. I built a career in creative communications, design and innovation. I led creative strategy for some of the most recognized names on Madison Avenue and founded a digital agency in 1996. My team and I brought digital to many celebrated brands.
Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats — creative director, content strategist, storyteller, filmmaker, author — and then in 2020, I fell in love with AI. It felt like discovering a new brush or a new camera lens, only this one lets you paint with thought and possibility.
Being one of the early adopters brings me access to new and exciting innovations in generative AI. Now, I’m in several creator programs, including Luma Labs Dream Machine and Higgsfield.
What got you interested in AI artwork?
Honestly, curiosity and a desire to push boundaries. I’ve always been intrigued by future-forward tools that can transform the way we tell stories. When I saw what generative AI could do, how it could translate abstract emotions and wild ideas into visual experiences, I knew I had to explore it.
My initiation started in 2020 when I was inspired by a demo Anne Spalter gave on using Playform, which was my introduction to GAN (generative adversarial network). I knew I had to try Playform and trained it on hundreds of my photographs and illustrations.
Several of the works from Studies in Color were auctioned at an event for Fostering Connections FL a couple of years ago held at the link. It wasn’t just about the tech that intrigued me; it was about the emotional resonance it could help create.
Interestingly, long before getting involved with generative AI and transforming my digital skills, I met Ben Goertzel, Ph.D., in 2000 who really opened my eyes to AI beyond Issac Asimov’s science fiction vision of AI and kept me eager to learn all aspects. This hunger helped me understand where we are today with generative AI.
Tell me about your use of AI and the successes you've had with it.
I use generative AI to create everything from experimental films and music, visual novels, design patterns for physical objects and several commercial projects.
Most notably, I worked on a project through Iron Mountain for their client National Geographic to use AI to imagine what 50 million years in the past looked like. My film “Beyond Darkness” — created with generative AI — was premiered here in Ponte Vedra at the link Nocatee. It was accepted into several film festivals and even received awards for creativity and innovation.
I’ve published books; my most recent titled “Strange Place” is an epic cosmic science fiction picture book about elder women living at the edge of the universe. My book “Beyond Darkness and Tales from Space,” demonstrates how AI brought my surreal worlds to life in ways traditional tools couldn’t. I also have a channel on Rad TV called Cosmic Cats & Flying Cupcakes (productions); it’s as wild and whimsical as it sounds!
Tell me how you've overcome any challenges with your work.
Every new technology comes with a learning curve. In the beginning, I struggled with the generative AI tools not always doing what I envisioned, but I treated each hiccup like an invitation to experiment. I’ve also had to navigate skepticism about AI art; some people still think it’s cold or impersonal, but I believe it’s just another medium, and like any medium, it’s the heart behind the work that matters.
What is your favorite part about the kind of work that you do? What keeps you interested?
My favorite part is the alchemy, that magical moment when an idea takes form in an unexpected way. The collaboration with large language and diffusion models (generative AI’s) constantly surprises me. It keeps me curious and my imagination flowing. It also gives me the ability to blend disciplines — art, film, music, cosmic science fiction, storytelling — and that fusion is where I feel most alive. I learned so much from creating “Beyond Darkness,” which inspired me to create a series of films exploring consciousness through surrealism as seen in “White Out,” which debuted at the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum in March.
You mentioned wanting to connect with the community and educate them on the use of generative AI. How are you working to accomplish this connection?
Absolutely. I’m thrilled to be involved with Circle of Creation, founded by Gurpreet Misra and held at the link. It’s a monthly in-person event that hosts talks and workshops where the theme is emotional intelligence and AI. I gave a talk about my creative journey from traditional to digital to generative AI. I am deeply grateful to the link, which has given me many opportunities to share my stories and creativity.
I also gave a six-week course on generative AI art at the Council on Aging, which was very gratifying. It was especially heartwarming to give seniors with dexterity problems a creative outlet. The art they created was amazing!
I was a guest speaker, talking on “The Future in Art,” at First Coast Cultural Center. I share a lot online — through social media and videos — offering prompts, behind-the-scenes looks and encouragement for others to explore.
Mondays through Fridays you can find me on “AI Art Today,” an X space with an incredible group who share experiences with creating with AI. My goal is to demystify AI and show that anyone with imagination can create with it. I am in talks with the link to create an AI club.
Is there anything you're looking forward to this year in terms of your art?
So much! I’m preparing to speak at NFT.NYC this June and working on the second volume of “Laundrygate” called “Laundrygate: The Verse” and I’m finishing up the third episode of the “Tales from Space” series, the Cosmic Cats and Flying Cupcakes productions on Rad TV.
I’m also working on a couple of commercial pieces and exploring new collaborations in immersive storytelling and planning a few experimental video art pieces using generative AI and live sound design.
The future of creativity is wide open and I can’t wait to keep evolving with it!
