>I /am/ an artist, dammit, and not because I have a few silly poems on
>my web page, but because I see the beauty in a mathematical proof, the
>inspiring integrity of a rigorous philosphical argument, the fine
>craftsmanship of a good statistical analysis, the impact of a carefully
>tuned paragraph. I pity those who only see art in trinkets of shape
>and color when the true miracles of the human mind are so much more
>powerful and further-reaching.
Touche!
And, I might add, much great art has profound and complex math and science
behind it. Understanding how a great artist like Beethoven or a greek
sculptor puts his work together simply adds to the awe and pleasure such
things generate. Creativity and rigor are more than just "not imcompatible",
they are downright complementary.