Embracing the Digital Art Movement
What is Digital Art?
Digital art is an art form that is created or enhanced with the use of digital technology. Digital art offers multiple mediums and styles, from digital photography, computer graphics, and pixel art to experimental mediums like AI-generated art. (Bravic and Jones).
Digital technology has become intertwined with our everyday existence. Knowledge of visual design, digital technology, and manipulating multimedia are now essential for today’s artists, marketers, and web designers. One must embrace it as it continues to evolve and advance every aspect of the art world.
Was Andy Warhol the First Ever Digital Artist?
In 1984 Andy Warhol recorded in his journal that he was at a party for Sean, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s son. Warhol and Keith Haring had walked into Sean’s room:
“There was a kid there setting up the Apple computer that Sean had gotten as a present, the Macintosh model,” Warhol recalled in his diary. “I said that once some man had been calling me a lot wanting to give me one, but that I’d never called him back or something, and then the kid looked up and said, ‘Yeah, that was me. I’m Steve Jobs.’ And he looked so young, like a college guy. And he told me that he would still send me one now. And then he gave me a lesson on drawing with it.”
After Jobs helped him figure out how to use the mouse (which he first attempted to wave in the air), Warhol became transfixed. Moments later, he gasped in excitement as he made his first digital shape. “Look!” He said, beaming at Keith Haring. “I drew a circle!” (Moran)
Artist: Andy Warhol
Date: 1985
Medium: Digital Art - ProPraint
Location: The Andy Warhol Museum
In 1985 Warhol was given an Amiga 1000 computer and signed on with Commodore International to be a brand ambassador. Below is Warhol using the ProPaint software to create a portrait of Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie. He would use ProPaint to create a series of digital artwork that was just revealed in 2014. Warhol embraced the digital art movement. He died two years after this video was filmed from complications during surgery. Imagine what kind of art he would have created with today’s technology. (“Warhol and the Amiga – The Andy Warhol Museum”)
I remember using ProPaint on our family computer when I was a little girl. Even with its elementary basic features, Warhol gave his art depth and his iconic pop of amazing color.
Greg Bridges
While I was visiting my brother in Australia, we were on our way to the beach when he said he needed to make a quick stop at a friend’s house. My brother surprised me by introducing me to his friend, the award-winning international artist Greg Bridges. I got to chat and ask Greg all my art questions about his journey as an artist as we sat in his beautiful garden, and he made me a cup of his famous cappuccino. What a fantastic experience.
Greg is an excellent example of someone who has embraced the digital art movement. Born in Melbourne in 1950, he has always been interested in worlds of fantasy and futuristic landscapes. He started in the art world with his advertisement designs and is now an acclaimed artist in the United States, Europe, Japan, and his homeland Australia. His work appears on magazine covers, novel covers, and significant motion pictures worldwide. One concept design you might be familiar with is the Dawn Treader dragon-figurehead ship from the film Narnia “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”
I contacted Gregg about my blog and was overjoyed when he said I could use his work and sent me digital files and explanations of the pieces I wanted to use. Please follow @gregbridges on social media and his website www.gregbridges.com
Topiary Women
Artist: Greg Bridges
Date: 2023
Medium: Digital painting and AI-assisted developments in Photoshop
Location: Sydney Australia
I chose these from Greg’s Facebook posts. They immediately spoke to me of power and strength. The green topiary foliage is so vibrant with the muted background and the strong facial features of the women, making them beautiful and powerful. The lighting gives them a goddess aura like the daughters of Athena herself.
Here is the explanation of the work from Greg Bridges:
Topiary Women was a 10-piece art series done to promote International Women’s Day.
The fusion of women and living topiary in this artwork symbolises the strength and resilience of women, thriving and growing even in the harshest of environments.
The use of plants as clothing represents the interconnectedness of all living things, emphasising the importance of nurturing ourselves and the natural world.
As I witnessed my daughter, Ebanie Bridges, courageously overcome numerous obstacles unique to women on her journey to become the 'World Bantamweight Boxing Title Winner in 2022,' I gained a deep appreciation for the remarkable woman she has become. Her journey also shed light on the sacrifices and out-of-the-box thinking that women often face.
My intention in creating this artwork was to draw attention to the value of women and their unwavering ability to persevere and thrive. Simultaneously, I aimed to emphasise the beauty and significance of preserving nature.
Through this unique, and hopefully memorable, and thought-provoking piece, I hope to leave a lasting impression that celebrates the strength, beauty, and resilience of women.
2023 Digital Art Collection Dimensions: 75 x 75 cm
Techniques: Digital painting and AI-assisted developments in Photoshop
Further Details: These ten digital works were created through a unique process that involved combining my existing art and photographs from my topiary projects. The final stage of development was greatly enhanced with AI assistance.
The creation of these pieces was also influenced by my preexisting knowledge and experience in crafting Topiaries.
Because I am pictured with Greg and his artwork Music City I wanted to share the information. This is not digital artwork but an example of how many artists can have multiple mediums and be digital artists.
I just love the composition. It has a lot going on with all of the details of the entire city in one painting, but it flows so effortlessly as you are drawn into the center of the painting on his futuristic railroad. The bold complementary colors of blue, greens, gold, and the pop of reds give the city a unified tranquil feeling.
Music City
Artist: Greg Bridges
Date: 1995
Medium: Acrylics on Gesso with Airbrush and Colored Pencil
Size: 760 x 1200
Location: Sydney Australia
Music City is a painting that celebrates the profound impact of music on human society throughout history. With its symphony of harmonious architecture and urban grandeur, the artwork invites viewers to immerse themselves in a world of musical wonder.
The visual metaphors for musical instruments infuse the composition with deeper meaning and symbolism. As viewers engage with the painting, they are transported to a happy world that exudes an air of positivity and elegance.
Each brushstroke captures the essence of creativity and the powerful connection between human expression and the thriving metropolis that embraces it.
Music City reminds us of the enduring influence of music on our lives, enriching our existence.
Providence and curatorial information…. 1995 Commissioned painting for Harman International in Detroit USA for the promotion of their JBL/Infinity Car Hi Fi Systems. Commissioned through Mars Advertising. Through Bernstein & Andriulli Agents in New York.
The work formed part of an exhibition of work in the USA in San Antonio.
The painting won the “Best Colour Art” award in the “World Con” “Lone Star Con” in San Antonio USA
The original was sold to Harman International for $16,000 USD, along with the copyright ownership for $10,000 USD. Excluding the rights for limited editions and self promotion by Greg Bridges.
In 1997 It was reproduced as a limited run large poster where a small number of artist proofs were signed and sold out at the San Antonio World Con.
In circa 2015 Signed and numbered 6’x4’ Canvas Limited edition and other smaller size archival limited editions on paper were made, each edition came with certificates of authenticity embossing and an ownership providence/register.
Digital Art Copyright Laws
I contacted a few digital artists I love for my blog post, but they have not responded. I needed three artists for my homework assignment and only had two. Digital art is a fairly new medium I wanted to ensure I was not violating copyright laws. I know how hard artists work and how heartbreaking it is when your work is stolen. I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain copyright laws on digital art.
As an artist, your digital art is automatically copyrighted as soon as it is created in a tangible form, but (there is always a but) if your artwork is stolen and used for commercial purposes, you will need to prove that it belongs to you. That can be a challenge if you don’t have a copyright registration.
Here is a link to copyright your work. Electronic Copyright Office
As a lover of the arts, you cannot just click and paste or download everything on the internet and use it for your blog or social media and do not reproduce it for profit. You could be financially liable for using copyrighted art on your site. If you tag the artist or link the art to their page, it is still in violation. Unless you have express permission or legitimately purchased usage right, you can’t post copyrighted photos or art work. PERIOD
If the artwork is Public Domain you can use it. That means the image has an expired copyright or never had one. Then you can go ahead and use it. The general rule is that it is 70 years after the death of the artist. If the work was work for hire, it’s 120 years after its creation or 95 years after its publication. In some instances, an artist or organization will let you use their images for example, for the Andy Warhol art, the museum copyright information states:
Fair use includes the use of copyrighted materials for noncommercial educational purposes, such as teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, commentary and news reporting.
Your noncommercial use of the Content on this Site is subject to the following requirements unless otherwise noted for specific Content:
you must cite the author and source of the Content as you would Content from any printed work with the citation including the URL “www.warhol.org” as the source of the Content;
you may not remove any copyright, trademark or other proprietary notices, including attribution information, credits, and notices, that are placed in or near text, images or data; and
you must comply with all terms or restrictions, in addition to copyright terms or restrictions, including trademark, publicity and privacy rights, or contractual restrictions, as may be specified in the metadata or may otherwise apply to the Content.
My Digital Art
I thought I could share some of my digital art because I could only get two artists, and I needed three, so I decided to share my own digital works. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
The Ladies Luncheon
Date: May 2023
Created for Art History F262X Final Project
Artist: Lesa Sears
Medium: Digital Art - Procreate
The art and the women I learned about in my Art History Class 262 at the University of Alaska Fairbanks inspired me, and I connected with these ladies as I learned about their journey.
I have seen many adaptations of The Last Supper, and I knew I had to do an adaption of Da Vinci’s Last Supper but with all these amazing women. I can imagine myself sitting and feasting and learning great wisdom from them and being inspired to be the best version of myself despite my hardships.
I challenged myself with this one. Not only did I have to research all these women and paintings, but I could only pick 12. At first, it would be hard to find twelve female artists during this period, and I had never heard of most of these amazing women. Then the challenge of picking only twelve became even more difficult.
The artists and artwork I choose for my project.
Mona Lisa - Leonardo Da Vinci, c 1503 – 1506. Oil on wood panel, 30.25″ x 21″. Musee du Louvre, Paris. I knew I had to put the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci in the center. My entire life, I have had a connection with this painting. As a little girl, my Dad would sing me the song Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole. It has always given me the feeling of being loved.
Marie Antoinette with a Rose - Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun, c. 1783, oil on canvas, 116.8 x 88.9cm. I chose this painting because Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun painted it, and Marie Antoinette was a fantastic patron of the arts.
Self Portrait in a Straw Hat - Elisabeth Loise Vigee LeBrun, c 1782, oil on canvas, 97.8 x70.5cm. Elisabeth was one of the greatest Portrait artists of her time. Not only are her portraits beautiful, but she showed tremendous courage having to flee her home in France with her daughter and yet continued to make beautiful art.
Self Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsk - Frida Kahlo, c 1937, oil on masonite, National Museum of Women in the Arts. How could I not put Frida at the table? Her beautiful portraits, with their color, pain, and passion, embody the female experience. A feminist icon.
Self Portrait - Sofonisba Anguissola, c 1550, oil on canvas, 43 ¾ x 43 ⅛, Pinacoteca Nazionale, Sienna. Sofisba was the first recorded female artist of the Renaissance to achieve international fame during her lifetime. Sofonisba said, “Life is full of surprises. I try to capture these precious moments with wide eyes.” She did with every portrait.
Isabella d’Este - Titian c 1536, oil on canvas, 102.4 cm x 64.7 cm, Kunsthistorisches Museum. I wrote my second proposal on Isabella, so I had to place her at the table. Isabella was a lover of the arts. Through her support, we have many fantastic priceless works of art.
Self Portrait as a Lute Player - Artemisia Gentileschi, c 1616-18, oil on canvas, 77.5 x 71.8cm. I contemplated putting the painting of Artemisia as Judith at the table, but it might be a little unappetizing.
The Maid - Eva Gonzalès, c. 1865-70 oil on canvas, 39 x 27.5 cm. Eva was one of the famous French Impressionists whose life was tragically lost early due to childbirth at 34. Imagine if she would have accomplished had she survived.
Berthe Morisot with a bouquet of Violets - Edouard Manet, c 1872, oil canvas, 55 x 39cm, Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France. Berthe was another French Impressionist, and I can’t have Eva at the table and not include Berthe. These two women are famous for breaking into the boys club of French artists.
Portrait of Rachel Ruysch - Godfried Schalcken, c1690, oil on canvas, 71.8 x 62.2cm, Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museums. I imagine Rachel Ruysch, the famous Dutch still-life painter, would bring flowers to the luncheon. Being the first female member of the artist society, she can bring anything she likes.
Girl with a Pearl Earring - Vermeer, c 1665, oil on canvas, 44.5 x 39” Mauritshuis, The Hague. Not an actual real person, but the girl with the pearl earring is what the Dutch call a Tronie or the ideal young beauty. I was always fascinated by this beautiful Dutch girl and wondered if she only wore one pearl earring.
The Milkmaid - Vermeer, c 1657–1661, oil on canvas, 45.5 x 41 cm The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam I chose to add the milkmaid besides the fact I love it, but she just seemed in need of a luncheon with the ladies.
After choosing the ladies, I pasted each painting into Procreate and placed them in a similar position as the apostles in Da Vinci’s painting. With all these beautiful ladies of art, the landscape or setting didn’t feel right. I changed the luncheon to be at the beautiful Salon De La Princess. Seriously, can you think of a better venue?
I am delighted with the outcome, and I got some mom points that my kids love it. I wish I had added some of Rachel Ruysch’s beautiful flowers under the table. I still might.
More of my Digital Art Designs
I am a beginner and self-taught. I am looking forward to taking some digital design classes in the fall. One of the things my boy and I love to do is sit together with our Ipads and watch Procreate tutorials on YouTube. You can learn almost anything on Youtube.
Special Thanks to Greg Bridges for letting me share his amazing art. www.gregbridges.com
Works Cited
Bravic, Lucija, and Trevor Jones. “Digital Art - Definition, History & Innovative Art Forms.” Artland Magazine, https://magazine.artland.com/digital-art/. Accessed 30 July 2023.
Moran, Taylor. “Andy Warhol: The First-Ever Digital Artist?” Revolver Gallery, https://revolverwarholgallery.com/andy-warhol-the-first-ever-digital-artist/. Accessed 30 July 2023.
“Warhol and the Amiga – The Andy Warhol Museum.” The Andy Warhol Museum, 25 July 2017, https://www.warhol.org/exhibition/warhol-and-the-amiga/. Accessed 30 July 2023.
