What is art to me and why?

Art. Monotonous images of kings, queens, and wealthy subjects of a prior era staring at you past painted furs and jewels. A card hangs beside the canvas with an unfamiliar name, a year long past, and the words Oil on canvas. This is art. Metal and wood beams rising out of the ground twisting, as if in agony, to escape the scornful looks of those that do not consider it art. That is art. Simply put, Art is a way of expressing ideas, feelings, or surroundings through sensory mediums. No matter the background of the artist or the talent shown (because, let's face it, some artists lack this). No matter what critics say or the depth of the piece, it is the intention that art is created that makes it art.

Sister Wendy Beckett gives a fair analysis of acclaimed pieces like Nude in a Garden by Pablo Picasso (1934). (As Professor Provisero said, "If a nun can talk about art objectively, anyone can talk about art objectively.") This painting,  through Picasso's renowned Cubism style, portrays affections for his lover, Marie-Thérèse Walter, highlighted by the gentle curves in her body and the pleasing images of flora in the background. According to Sister Wendy, Picasso never "produced an image so sweet" after his relationship with Walter ended. Picasso intention was to convey this emotion. Therefore, under the definition I laid out earlier, Nude in a Garden is art. The timelessness of the painting still remains over 70 years later. Timelessness is simply whether the piece is able to remain true to its nature and be applicable to  those in the future. Because affectionate feelings like what Picasso felt about Walter will always exist, the piece is still timeless (though Picasso might disagree because he never felt this way again).

Why do I define art as I did? I feel that those who have something they want to communicate and use mediums like visual art put purpose in their work. It defines the artwork and it makes the piece open to the interpretation of others.