It’s weird how something that was so tangible as art has migrated itself into the digital realm. I can think back to a time when something like Instagram didn’t exist in my life and all I had was a sheet of paper to showcase my creation. Fast forward to now, and almost everything I create is not only shared in the digital world, but also created digitally. But no matter the convenience, I still find myself migrating back to traditional media as if running back to a long lost home.

I feel like in most cases, digital work is most useful to our world in a business sense. It’s easily reproduced, edited and documented. This isn’t just in terms of art, but also for assignments and stories, typing is a great tool! But I do find a different side of myself when I’m using digital tools vs traditional, almost like two sides of my brain. I can definitely lose myself in the art using both media, but it feels more like a deadline when I’m working digitally. This may just be the graphic designer in me talking

Using traditional media, as I said before, feels like a long lost home that I can’t wait to escape to when I get the chance. Although, I think because of the program I’m in, lately even that has been a bit lack-lustre so to speak. But even so, I find that crafting with my hands in general (whether that’s knitting, painting, baking etc.) brings me much more pleasure. To plan it, sculpt it, and finally see it become something that I can hold is pretty rewarding.

I think in the end, it’s hard for me to choose if I prefer one over the other. There’s positive things about both tools that I can justify. However, if I’m choosing my favourite way to relax, I would choose working by hand because it grounds me in a way that creating digitally ever could. When in doubt, go back to your roots!