In talking with other artist friends and family members, I am always surprised and strangely comforted to find that, like me, they have days of supreme confidence in their artistic abilities and days of wondering why they even bother, and, of course, many middling days in between. One of my wonderful daughters-in-law, Skaie Knox, whose voice is so powerful and beautiful it is astounding (go listen for yourself at www.bigbuglunch.com), said she agrees and feels it is because "We artists are an emotional bunch..Yes?!" Yes. Probably true.

However, I am guessing that our product, whether visual art or music, is so damned personal. We can't help but put a part of our soul into what we create, and it is hard to think that someone might stomp on our soul.

And, if an artist does not put any soul into his/her work, I wonder if it is really art at all.

Excited about a new painting I completed yesterday. It was fun to paint, and I think maybe that comes across to the viewer. Art should move you in some way, not just be an academic exercise. With this painting, I am hoping a person might be moved to happiness - always a good thing! Do you agree?

Recently I attended a discussion seminar to meet and interact with experts from across the United States. I am certainly not "expert" as many people that were there, and probably not as expert as many readers of this blog. However, I was placed on  a panel to discuss the subject of "art" and was stunned at what took place.

One participant gushed on about an art exhibit that, apparently, consisted of one large, empty room filled with four inches of talcum powder. And nothing else. Another person spoke on (and on) about the lacy beauty of a rusted toaster she found, which she felt was certainly "art". It is proudly displayed on her fireplace mantle. To my way of thinking, if she had done a watercolor or oil painting of that toaster, it might actually be art! Or am I just being plebian about the whole subject?

So, what is art?