Digital art, according to De Turk (2000), defined in its most exclusive sense, refers to works of art produced in a process in which the data that defines the work is composed of bits and is stored and eventually output in digital form. In this rather narrow definition, digital art is artwork created exclusively the use of computer technologies and may be designed for the World Wide Web or other technology-driven multimedia projects (De Turk, 2000). A broader definition includes the use of computer technology to augment, manipulate, modify, augment, refine, or otherwise change images produced in another medium (De Turk, 2000).
It is this broader definition of digital art that most fully encompasses the work of Richard Baker, a San Diego artist who studied design and painting at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles (About the artist, 2003). In his career, Richard Baker has worked as a graphic designer, illustrator and art director for a number of advertising agencies and studios in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Over 20 years ago, he opened a Fullerton, California studio where he has spent his career painting, watercoloring, and exploring mixed media along with the use of digital technologies for making art (About the artist, 2003).
Baker uses the computer essentially to finish his creations. His digital paintings may start on a blank computer screen, with a drawing in graphite, charcoal, or ink, or even with a watercolor or acrylic sketch, or a photograph. He then scans these traditional techniques into the computer, where they are worked and reworked to arrive at the final piece (About the artist, 2003).
Interestingly, at a 2001 exhibit of BakerÆs paintings at the Cirrus Gallery, Baker returned to his roots with paintings that are a reaction to and a synthesis of his experiences creating interactive art (Interior exteriors, 2001). Using images of a pottery vessel, for example, Bake
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