What was interesting to me was the response of some of my classmates when I gave my presentation on my conclusions. One of them said she had the opposite reaction to making art without a computer. For her it felt unnatural, that her preference was to make art with a computer. I asked her which came first in her training, and unsurprisingly, she said the computer. That somewhat saddens me.

But I think you put it best: working with a computer is very disembodying, and I have a need to remain tactile. My body physically needs to move, to be active, and not just in my lifestyle, but also in the way I express myself through art. That last digital piece I made, Pacing the Cage, is very symbolic…

And thank you for reminding me that I need to acknowledge that there is something incredibly magnetic about working with computers. I know I put up with an incredible amount of pain just to continue working on this machine. I do LOVE it. That’s why I’m in this business… but it’s that balance that I’m craving.

*Sigh* It sure would be nice to just meet at a cafe and talk about this over tea (I gave up coffee!), but thankfully, we have blogs and email and our computers to help with the conversation.

Hugs!
Trish

This entry inspired me to comment — or rather, to add to your list. I’m currently working as a freelancer laying out for VS catalogs (just figure out the initials so I don’t get sued) and I use the Mac all day. I’m still a fan of any digital work you do, but I do agree with everything you’ve written. I also add that with fine arts the energy is more organic and bodily experienced: the hand touching pen or brush (my hand touching pen on paper when I write); the light in front of my eyes touching absorbent fiber as opposed to reflective glass… the cumulative energy spent in front of the computer, whether writing or digital drawing or even manipulating digital photos, is actually disembodying.

It’s the opposite of having the body be part of the artmaking process, which is inevitably what the spirit wants to drink in. So yes, the end-oriented digital work is the alter-ego (or rather the ego version) of the process-oriented handcrafted work.

I’ve made my peace with this whole computer business — my left brain certainly LOVES the darn thing — but I can definitely feel my body going from flat to round (not literally but energetically) when I step away from the computer. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

So I guess the more we spend time in front of the computer, the more we have to make sure our sensitive spirits are still in touch with the earth and anything that comes from the ground and air. And again, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. For me, though, I have to be real vigilant. There’s something about my left brain that suspends time when I’m in front of the computer, and before I know it the day has ended and I’ve lost the opportunity to do something for the rest of my body and most of all my heart.

X O X O. Your entries make me wish we were campus buddies again and can share lots of late-night ponderings and musings.

- Trix