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I think there's a lot of residual opposition to digital art in my school, which can sometimes be a little aggravating. It's tiresome to constantly have to defend what you do when others don't have to do the same. But I think at the same time, it's good to have your beliefs challenged, and it's good to be pushed really far out of your comfort zone. Being pressured into producing work in a way I'm less than comfortable with is widening my range and making me think about digital art in a different way, too.
I've had a number of teachers who are outright disdainful of digital art and pressured me to work traditionally. From those experiences I formed a new way of working and began to see the benefit of traditional elements in my own digital art. My use of textures came almost exclusively from experiences like that and I think they've made my art more complete. I wasn't at all accomplished at digital painting until I took a traditional painting course. There are different mechanics, but the principles are about the same.
Essentially, I used to be a purist and an apologist, and now I'm neither. I don't need to apologize for preferring digital art, because I have real, personal reasons for doing so. I'm no longer a purist because I recognize that there are elements to traditional art that are worthy of being emulated in the digital medium.
Too much wailing goes on from the digital art camp about how we should be treated equally and how it's so unfair that we're persecuted in favor of traditional artists. I took part in it! But I have come to the conclusion that every new "thing" goes through this period of transition. It's like a butterfly escaping from its cocoon; rather than quashing the digital art movement, the opposition to it will make it stronger and more creative.
I guess what I mean is that it really benefited me to come to this realization...recognizing that digital art can fight its own battles, and that I didn't have to act like a spokesperson for the medium, was truly uplifting.
By the way, if you want my advice, don't bother arguing with anyone who states that a specific medium "isn't art". They're beyond hope. Arguing with them is only going to make them talk more, and in the end they and those of their ilk will die out, along with all the people who decried impressionism and postmodern sculpture and so on.
Neutral 
Every medium has it's benefits, it's a shame to overlook the lesson one gives because you're too busy defending another.
I started with graphite pencils and decided to start painting digitally in GIMP. I consider both of them different methods to the same product, getting whatever's in my head out to the public.
I'll be moving on to air brushing soon. I think learning to operate the air brush will be as difficult as learning to use GIMP or Photoshop.
Your journals are always so full of respectful, yet assertive opinions. I wish that one day I can be like you in that aspect. I always seem to either lose it or withhold my opinion in case I DO lose it! xD
I also wish that someday people can be more open minded in the likes of art. It shouldn't be so far off, anyway. It only takes a look at past prejudice in art, to see that those oposed to a certain movement were proved wrong! <3