I've included "non-digital" examples such as my photographs, photograms and projection installations because I feel that my work in these other areas has informed my work as a 3D artist.
Photography has shown me the range of rich detail and colors which are possible on a flat surface. However, photography is not merely a 2-D art, it is also about understanding relationships between objects, and how light reveals their structure. This knowledge is invaluble for 3D modeling.