Sondra Bernstein, renowned in Sonoma for her culinary ventures, has added back “artist” to her resume and in the past few years has embarked on a remarkable journey as a digital artist, embracing the world of AI and the metaverse. Known in the art community as 4everKurious, Bernstein is showcasing her lifelong passion for creativity and innovation in a completely new light.

After a successful 40-year tenure in the hospitality industry, Bernstein has reconnected with her roots in fine arts photography, a field in which she holds a bachelor’s degree. This transition marks a significant shift from her role as the proprietor of the girl & the fig, the fig café & winebar, and other ventures, to a focus on digital and AI-driven art.

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Bernstein’s exploration into the digital art realm is not just a personal pursuit but a collective journey as well. She is an early member and curator for an international art collective known as SearchLight, a platform that shines a spotlight on unseen artists. In addition to her curatorial role, Bernstein is a prolific creator and collector, contributing to and advocating for the growing field of AI art.

 

In January 2023, Bernstein took on the role of resident artist at the girl & the fig, transforming the space into a gallery where her digital art is displayed year-round. A generous portion of the proceeds from her art sales is dedicated to supporting the Sonoma FIG Foundation, underscoring her commitment to giving back to the community that has been an integral part of her journey.

 

Bernstein’s work is a testament to the evolving landscape of art in the digital age, challenging conventional notions and embracing new technologies. Her journey is a vivid example of lifelong learning and adaptation, proving that creativity knows no bounds.

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A Chronicle of Inspiration and Evolution.

Since college, photography has been her language of art. She focused on what could be seen through the viewfinder, creating art from reality and capturing moments in time. Sondra never altered her photographs to create visuals from something that wasn't there. However, the thought of absurd fantastical beings, surreal and dreamlike imagery, and finding ways to create new worlds always intrigued her—she just didn’t know how to make it happen.

 

Then came AI art, bringing with it a new way for her to express the stories that bounce through her mind. Having only been creating AI art for the past three years, it has been a journey of discovering what is possible and exploring the available technology. It has also been a thought-provoking time, as she navigates the controversy surrounding AI.

 

In the beginning, Sondra experimented with everything—art techniques, artist styles, use of color, transparency, intentional motion, and texture. About six months in, she revisited many of her photography files and started incorporating them into her AI art, whether as full images or just snippets of color, design, and texture. She wanted to intentionally include a piece of her original art DNA into each work she created. Since then, she has produced hundreds of images and collections, each generation influencing the next. She believes her role as an artist depends heavily on her ability to curate herself and her subject matter.

 

In the world of AI, the struggle to be original and offer a new perspective is real. Sondra often dashes from one subject matter to another, testing new techniques and styles before moving on to the next. Sometimes it feels like her attention span is quite brief.

 

In January 2023, Bernstein took on the role of resident artist at the girl & the fig and at POPPY in 2025, transforming the spaces into galleries where her digital art is displayed year-round. A generous portion of the proceeds from her art sales is dedicated to supporting the Sonoma FIG Foundation, underscoring her commitment to giving back to the community that has been an integral part of her journey.

 

Bernstein’s work is a testament to the evolving landscape of art in the digital age, challenging conventional notions and embracing new technologies. Her journey is a vivid example of lifelong learning and adaptation, proving that creativity knows no bounds.