Is it live or is it Memorex...

Funny how things work out

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Digital Waterlouge

The above image is a digital watercolor converted from the image below. It was done on my 1Phone 6s Plus using a .99 app called Waterlogue.  

The image below is a  photo composite of 9 self portraits the I've done over the past 45 years in various mediums. The individual images are at the bottom of the post. I scaled and lined up the images on the eyes and blended them together. The impetus for this was a call for a Delaware Valley Arts Alliance online gallery show called Alterd Ego.

The question here, is the art. I think so. It's art whose value certainly isn't equivalent with 'real' watercolor or oil paintings. Hand done digital art is certainly art with the same of similar value but what about this type of image conversion? I have mastered several apps and have learned that what to feed them to achieve good results. Sort of the same as brush and palette control in painting. I'm still just astonished that someone has spend the time and energy to understand what makes watercolor work. And then has the coding chops to make it into an app.        For 99 cents.

These self portraits were done in pencil, acrylics, oils, airbrush, watercolor and pen and ink.

The maker movement... Who is a 'maker'?

Lets start this rant with Wikipedia's definition of the Maker movement.

"Maker culture

The maker culture is a contemporary culture or subculture representing a technology-based extension of DIY culture[citation needed]. Typical interests enjoyed by the maker culture include engineering-oriented pursuits such as electronics, robotics, 3-D printing, and the use of CNC tools, as well as more traditional activities such as metalworking, woodworking, and traditional arts and crafts. The subculture stresses a cut-and-paste approach to standardized hobbyist technologies, and encourages cookbook re-use of designs published on websites and maker-oriented publications.[1] There is a strong focus on using and learning practical skills and applying them to reference designs[citation needed]."...

For the complete wiki definition;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maker_culture

Why am I asking this? A couple of months ago a local artist called themselves a "maker". This artist is digitally illiterate. Not a bad thing just IIWII. Having made a living most of my life as a technology based commercial artist I let it pass. This week a group of artists I'm loosely connected to online stated labeling themselves as 'makers'. It started me thinking of how words and terms get co-opted for seemed marketing advantage. Digital creation techniques like 3-D printing which is the current high buzz thing is the prime example. 3-D printing which require some serious geeking skills, like 3-d modeling and the ability to trouble shoot digital and hardware issues. 

So how do watercolor artists now define themselves in the 'maker' space? Because their work is presented digitally online? Or that they make giclee prints? The nerd in me says no no no. The old ad guy in me says maybe its worth a try. The skeptic in me says 'Whoa you're going to get lost in a market space that is terrier than arts and craft!"

Positioning oneself in fine art and craft market space is hard enough. To cloud the already foggy niche space you occupy seems unwise marketing. 

Ok, so the reason this comes up now really is that I have just begun finishing a new 'original digital print' for my summer studio tour season. It is an extension of the 3-D modeling and Photoshop work I've been doing for the last 20 years. I includes to of my main interests and focuses. Computers, and trout fishing. Is this 'maker' work or is it art. A bit of both maybe but I think its art.