Does art have a life of its own?

Looking at Art:

An artist creates a work of art, a viewer looks at the results of their labor and each sees something different. A critic sees the work and again finds something different. Each of us brings our own filter of education and experience to what we see. In addition, on a gut level, we respond to works of art with our emotions, which transform what we experience as we observe. To go beyond the viewing of art, the process of art making involves transformation, in that a work changes as it is developed in the studio. A good artist will respond to the work, sensitive to what they have done, determining what they must do next to advance the piece. The art in progress can actually suggest to an artist what it needs to become a finished work. Art moves beyond its maker as people see it and react. After the artist dies, the artwork remains. So, does art have a life of its own? I believe that it does. What do you think?

Work in the Studio:

Each morning I look in the mirror and see my neck, which does not look like the neck I had when I was twenty years old, and I am not pleased. This morning experience suggested to me that I should make a painting about aging. Thinking about this for weeks I wondered how to approach the subject. I finally decided to combine my head and neck with a tree. Since the age of trees is determined by the number of rings in their trunk, this idea seemed fitting. As I worked with images, a drawing evolved and then I began to paint. The piece seemed to speak to me, asking for unanticipated changes as though it had a life of its own. The head no longer seemed like mine, becoming someone who could be male or female. The final results were surprising to me. The biggest surprise was that it could be viewed not only as a painting about aging, but a spiritual piece as well. What do you see?

It’s Perfectly Natural, Watercolor, 14” x 11”