Wendy 

Fernanda Suarez created this digital painting, "Wendy," sometime in the 20th or 21st century, using graphics software. We can consider the material aspects of digital painting. It is a convergence of the traditions and techniques of drawing, painting and illustration, using computer software, a stylus, and a graphics tablet. The work’s visual qualities emulate traditional fine art, yet its existence resides in the digital realm as a series of binary codes. There is no need for a painter’s studio. In this image, we can see the traces of Suarez's technique. She’s able to achieve the same look as a traditionally painted image, in a style that is reminiscent of mid-20th century portraiture. But this is no oil on canvas. It exists as a purchasable digital file, or a print, distributed online, and available for mass consumption. By considering the tools and distribution of this artwork, we can expand our understanding of art and its relationship to contemporary life.