It's a New World...

"Journey to Mars"

America Airlines, MarsCruiser

I spent some time on a website yesterday that opened my eyes. I was at www.cgsociety.org where I was trying to find some background information concerning my dilemma with traditional versus digital art. I learned that CG means Computer Graphics.

Being a traditionally trained artist with a fascination for this new medium, I was trying to enlist some help with my understanding of what it is all about. The arguments I keep hearing are all about the end product and the suspicion that the computer software is doing all of the creating.

Mind you, I have only had these new tools for a very short time. I can't understand that while I have a hold on the stylus and I am making selections and inputs on my tablet, why would someone believe that I wasn't creating art while employing a superb set of tools?

I am guilty of trying to entice friends to give me their best argument from both sides of the fence. Because I cannot understand why an idea that originates in my mind and makes it's way to the world of the visible by way of a brush, tube of paint and on to a canvas, is more art than that same idea arriving by way of stylus, tablet, computer and inkjet printer. The archival qualities of oil paint are no longer a good argument. Do I sense that coming over the horizon is an oil spitting printer. Anyone out there hearing a plea?

A good friend and former art instructor sent me this message today, "I think that the medium is of no consequence -- the message is what matters." I like that.