But is it Art?

If my digital art is created by the computer, is it really art? Can it rival the paintings created in traditional techniques, such as watercolor, oil, or acrylics? Am I even permitted to call myself an artist when all I do is click the mouse, roll a trackball, scratch the touch pad, or wiggle the light pen?

First of all, my art is not created by the computer. The computer is only a tool – a very efficient one indeed – my art is created by my brain and my heart. Perhaps if I were born a hundred years ago I may have chosen watercolors, but having spent many years utilizing digital technology in its various forms I feel very comfortable and fluent in creating art digitally.

Many artists prefer wet paint; I prefer digital paint. Others prefer paper; I prefer a flat screen. I feel that in my creative process I have a greater control over the medium than any “traditional” artist. When I paint I often stop and retrace my steps; I try different color combinations, different blending modes, or different hue saturations until I achieve desired results. This is simply not possible with traditional techniques, unless, of course, one feels comfortable throwing away hundreds of sheets of paper or canvas.

So I have created a nice picture or two, but the question remains: Is it Art?

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines Art as

• Human effort to imitate, supplement, alter, or counteract the work of nature.
  
• The conscious production or arrangement of sounds, colors, forms, movements, or other elements in a manner that affects the sense of beauty, specifically the production of the beautiful in a graphic or plastic medium.
  
• High quality of conception or execution, as found in works of beauty; aesthetic value.
  
• Skill that is attained by study, practice, or observation.
  
• Skill arising from the exercise of intuitive faculties.

If I could summarize the main ideas of this definition I would use two words: beauty and skill. The sole purpose of art is the enrichment of our lives with beauty. It should transport us from the mundane into the extraordinary. It should lift, inspire, comfort, and move.

Probably the most important aspect of my paintings is the color. I am very sensitive to certain color combinations and try to surround myself with colors that influence my mood in a positive way. Each one of my paintings reflects a certain mood created by particular color combinations. Those moods are also reinforced with the composition and texture.

So is it Art? Only you can answer this question.

I hope that my paintings bring you rich moments of reflection, relaxation, meaning, and inspiration. Please visit my online gallery for a complete list of my paintings.