I am happiest when a photograph, sculpture, or painting, turns out the way I wanted it to. I am pleased when you like it too, but, if I was overly concerned about selling or impressing others, then I don’t think it would be as much fun.
In general, a finished work represents what I see in my minds eye and/or it has the impact I think a work of art should have. Most everything I weld, paint, or shoot has one or two elements that work especially well. It may be the quality of light captured, a shape that is correct, or a composition or color that has impact and holds the eye. I may have captured a moment, or suggested a mood. Sometimes I am satisfied if a piece is technically well done. Artist who manipulate various mediums understand the joy of making the substrate, surface, material, or the various components, work together well.
Being an artist is intense, complicated, challenging, and immensely satisfying. I don’t want the viewer to work as hard as I have. No need to think, extrapolate, infer, or see some political statement, just enjoy the work.
You can “see” it for what it is, or interpret it any way you wish.
