Why start this group?

[The Artist Smith]

The reason is simple. I am a middle aged artist who has been creating art for many years. With the advent of computer illustration programs almost anyone can call themselves an artist.
In my (old) mind being able to import a photo and tweaking it does not constitute art. Granted this is my own opinion but there is something I still find magical about starting with a blank canvas or board and using only your hands and mind to bring something to life.
You have to blend your paints and live with the mistakes you may make. The computer makes it far too easy.
As a confession, I do have a waccom tablet and the programs to use it. I do at times do so because it is required in todays world, but I do not like it at all.
Thanks for allowing the rant.

[Schlitzie]

Maybe i'm just a nostalgic kinda person.But i love doing everything by hand also.I like the little flaws and mess ups in illustrations,I'd love to see some comics done all by hand,penciled,inked,colored,even lettering!I think it would be really unique nowadays.I also just miss the old cheap paper they used in comics,just the smell of that paper brings back memories of when i first got into comics as a little kid and i would sift through back issues of my local comic shop looking through what i had been missing for years,and what had been published before i was ever born.Or going to old book stores and getting old frazetta comics.I guess what i'm getting at is that it has a differant look and feel,and that look is getting more and more hard to find in well...mainstream comics anyways,and that's kinda sad