Strength of a turning tide 

'Strength of a Turning Tide' by Fernanda Suarez, seems to have been made digitally using painting software. It is a portrait that immediately brings to mind the tradition of oil painting. However, unlike traditional oil painting where the artist physically mixes pigments and applies them to a canvas, digital painting involves using software tools to simulate brushstrokes and colors. The texture that you see is not inherent in the material, but rather a result of the artist's manipulation of digital tools. The social significance here lies in the democratizing effect of digital art. Unlike traditional painting, which requires access to expensive materials and studio space, digital painting can be done with relatively affordable technology, potentially opening up artistic expression to a broader range of people. The labor involved is less about physical effort and more about technical skill and creative vision. Understanding the processes and materials used in art broadens our appreciation of the artwork itself, by challenging conventional boundaries between fine art and craft.