The audience is so important in the definition of your art. As well, you need the people in that culture to see your work because whether they like it or not, they are the ones that complete the process of making real art. Without the audience, there is little to no significance to the idea or the creation.

It is my opinion, as an artist, that we do not have a responsibility to society. An artist shouldn’t feel a burden or obligation to set an example for the entire world. They shouldn’t feel that they have to reflect the beliefs or opinions of a certain segment of society.

Artists engage and collaborate with audiences in many different ways today. By opening up their process of creation to others, they give up a measure of control over their work, and give over to chance and to trust in the viewer-turned-participant. And the work of art, in turn, becomes a two-way exchange.

Art provides a means to express the imagination (things, places, ideas that are unreal or unknowable) in nongrammatic ways. Unlike words, which come in sequences,each of which has a definite meaning, art provides a range of forms, symbols and ideas with meanings that can be determined by the artist.

For me, bad art is boring, ho hum, and lacks imagination. It’s what I’ve seen a million times before (and sometimes what I wished I’d never seen). Good art, then, is intriguing, inspiring, and something I’ve never seen before or, if I have, it’s done in such a way that it makes me pause and become curious.

Unless someone did their research, they may not have even realized that the painting was valuable….9 Tips on How to Tell if a Painting is Valuable

1. Find Out Who Owned It Beforehand.
2. Figure Out Who the Artist Is.
3. Check the Condition of the Piece.
4. Consider the Subject Matter.
5. Check the Frame.

Hargrove has been producing signed and numbered limited editions since 1982. Some of Hargrove’s works have sold for as much as $12,000.