I keep coming back to the question of "Is digital art REALLY art?" and I'm going to continue saying that yes, it is indeed art. I saw another artist share that they felt like when they made digital art they were cheating because it was so easy to fix errors in the art making. Yes, that is true - and it is something that I do deeply enjoy. But, there is also a significant amount of learning that goes into the process of making digital art. 

I used to really struggle with this question. I felt like digital art made me lazy, somehow. But then I started thinking about what "lazy" really was. Why did I feel that way? Was it because making digital art wasn't physically demanding? That I didn't spend hours bent over a creative space? Digital art doesn't make me hurt in the same way that making physical art does. Is it because I felt like I wasn't doing ENOUGH work to create something? And that because there wasn't enough physical work it made me idle, somehow? And then that goes back to my internalized capitalism, that I SHOULD be doing something productive and if I'm not physically producing something then I'm not actually doing what I SHOULD be doing. Which is bullshit. 

I did, truly, think that the skills that I had in making physical pieces of art would mean that I could make digital art without any issue. That was not the cast at all. I was only able to take my understanding of color and shading to this new medium. Everything else I had to learn anew. How do I blend here? How do I create depth here? I can't use my fingers the way that I can on a physical canvas, so what can I use in its place? 

I've said this before and will say it again - digital art has allowed me to continue creating during this time in my life. I had initially believed that I would be able to take my new son into my studio with me and that he would happily sleep or play while I worked. My velcro baby has absolutely not allowed that. And he moves too much for me to wear him. Instead, creating art on my tablet while he sleeps has been the way that I can continue to make art - and to explore different styles. 

This piece is a digital, colorful free-tail bat. It's one of a new series that I'm currently working on and I'm so excited to share it! I've been printing these digital pieces on aluminum and oh my goodness - the color is incredible! I've been so very pleased with the quality of those prints. Each time I see one I'm surprised at just how cool it looks. And that's not necessarily something that I'd be able to create on a physical canvas in the same way. 

All of this to say, I guess, that if you're making digital art it is just as valid as traditional mediums. It's just a little different. 

More art has been taken to the Tin Barn Gallery and Forge - and I've been offered more space! If you're in the area (driving down 118 on the way to Terlingua)  be sure to stop by and check out my art and the art of so many other artists! There's incredible talent in this little gallery. 

The Tin Barn is the only place that you'll find my prints on metal available. There are only ten of each print being offered. Each is sold with a certificate of authenticity identifying which number the metal print is. There are also some other colorful desert-inspired pieces in the gallery. 

I completed this 10x20 rabbit painting in March 2021. Almost immediately I didn't like it. I was cute, but it was just...off. I couldn't figure out out. Was it the head? The ears? The long back legs? The background also bothered me. It was a cute painting but it wasn't a striking painting. There wasn't anything particularly memorable about it and it's always just BOTHERED me. 

I've thought about the different ways that I wanted to rework this painting for over a year. Heck - for two years! When I initially worked on this piece I drew it with the ears flowing behind the rabbit. But when I drew it out I didn't like it. I've never been able to stop thinking about the flowing ears. 

I am taking more paintings to a gallery soon - I'm getting more space there! I found myself thinking about old art that hadn't really moved. This painting was the first thing that came to mind. I even took this to an art show and it wasn't a hit. I knew that if I was going to take this painting to the gallery it needed to be reworked. I couldn't stop thinking about the long flowing ears. So, I sat down to paint. But then I realized I didn't like the face. So, I changed the face. And then I had to tackle that background. So, I did gold leaf. But there was still something missing. So, I picked black cactus. 

And then I realized after reworking this painting that I couldn't take it to the gallery after all. So, it's staying home and another painting is going to go in its place (and I'm going to put this in my dining room). 

Rabbits have a long lifespan. Some can live up to 15 years. Rabbits need large, safe spaces. Rabbits are active, playful, and social. They need a lot of interaction. Rabbits shouldn't live in only a cage or a hutch. They should be able to safely roam larger spaces. Rabbits also need veterinary care - just like your cat or dog. Many people think that bunnies are easy pets - and while they can be very enjoyable pets, they are often hands on and require intense care. Before deciding that a rabbit is the kind of commitment your family can make this spring season make sure that you thoroughly read about the care they need. 

When I thought about what animals would be best for Daddy Makes Pizza, I couldn't stop thinking about bears. Bears are bipedal - which means they can stand on their hind legs. They're physically strong (which makes them scary for me), but this fierceness accompanies a the nurturing side of a mother bear. I loved that this story emphasized the nurturing side of a father. 

In Daddy Makes Pizza a little bear tries to explain his dad's job to his teacher. He concludes that he doesn't really know what his dad does, he just knows how his dad spends time with him. I love the way that this story emphasizes quality time with a parent over corporate profit or personal gain. 
I love the way the teacher makes an assumption about the little bear's, Tucker, dad's career - and the way he counters what the teacher says. Tucker doesn't care what his dad does for a living. Tucker only cares about how his dad spends time with him. This imaginative, sweet story is one that should be shared with every child in your life.

​Daddy Makes Pizza is Amanda Hodges' first children's book. The book was inspired by interactions with her own children. I can't wait to share this story with my own. You can find more information about Amanda's book on her website, here.