This is why those pictures that have a lot of work put into them gather the most comments.<< Ummmm..not true. I see a lot of comments on images that take less then a day that have the same three components in it. A babe, a sword and a scene. I see images of pink ponies that according to the creator took less then a couple of hours on occasion with HUGE number of comments. I see fewer comments on work that I know takes longer then a day to do and has had a lot more love and sweat put into it. Huge numbers of comments on a singular image in the Poser gallery have less to do with talent then popularity, sad but true. :) However, there are exceptions. It's all in how it effects you, not necessarily in the amount of work put into it. That being said... Is it art? Art is in the eye of the beholder and the creator, it's a very intimate relationship both ways. To put any type of limitations on the words "art" or "artist" can put us down a slippery slope of snobbery and elitism, both which are deadly to creativity. Even if all it evokes is a "wow" factor, then it's art to someone. Is it piracy? Only if the software is illegal or you use products that are illegally gained, or if a copyright is broken. Is it talent? You betcha, if it is ART then it does involve some type of talent, even if all you have is the vision. Does it matter? Depends on if it's piracy or not :) Although it could still be art and be good, just sad that it's pirated. :( Digital art is just another medium to use to create art. Some are better then others, just as in traditional mediums. Some are just hobbyists, but let me tell you, I've seen some hobbyists here that have done pieces that just blow me away. And I've seen some established artists crank out the same stuff over and over again. So, it's like football "On any given Sunday" anyone can win, or make art. <<Calling yourself an artist and your work "art" doesn't automatically make it so, no more than Julia Roberts has any right to call herself an "actress".>> Ahhh...but at the same time, if you work at the craft of acting, for good or bad, you are still an actor/actress, just maybe not a good one. :)I would think the same would hold true for art/artists. Otherwise, who is in charge of telling whom when they cross that line and become an artist? You, me, them? Being an artist is from the heart and soul, not from someone else's outside judgement. My two cents worth :)