The other day 'Anonymous' posted a comment regarding 'This is Not a Painting'. They said "Your computer does pretty good work, mine does too".
Well, the fact that the author felt disinclined to name themself, or to leave a forwarding email address so that I could discuss further with them, led me to interpret their thoughts as somewhat derisive. It is my belief that he or she was suggesting that anyone armed with a computer could produce art. That is a little like saying that anyone with a paintbrush in their hand is an artist, anyone with a hammer and chisel is a sculptor, and anyone who has a typewriter is the author of great books.
A tool is a tool, and without the neccessary skills to manipulate it, is capable of absolutely nothing. Indeed, give a man a gun and he will most likely be killed before killing someone!
But here is the point. Whether an image is executed in oil or watercolour paint, in pastels or in coloured pencils, with inks or indeed on a monitor using complicated software. that image was primarily the product of the mind of its creator. If any person believes that gaining possession of a computer empowers them to produce art, then I and the rest of the world eagerly await to see the fruits of their labours.