What makes a great piece of art?

I'm a strong believer that movement is key.

“Nothing is quite as deflated and uninspiring as a piece that an art-loving viewer walks up to and away from within seconds. ”

Movement in a painting and movement of a viewer's stare.

I know that a piece is good if my eyes keep moving as I'm looking at it.

First to one part, and then Ooh! What's that over there? And then Look at those brushstrokes down at the bottom! ...Look how different they are from these up here on the top! ...Look at the dots over here and the shadow on the side here!

Nothing is quite as deflated and uninspiring as a piece that an art-loving viewer walks up to and away from within seconds. 

When I walk up to a piece that I believe to be truly great, time is rendered still. I stand, without realizing for how long I've been standing. I look until whoever I am at the museum or exhibition with has to physically grab my arm and pull me out.

Great art naturally evokes a desire to stare at it for as long as you can.

“Great art naturally evokes a desire to stare at it for as long as you can.”

I know when a viewer thinks my art is great when they stand in front of it for awhile, when their eyes are darting all around to different points on the canvas. 

So to determine what constitutes "great art," I have only two criteria:

1. Are your eyes moving a lot when you're looking at it?

“A captivating piece of art is always great art.”

2. Can you look at it for a long time and remain interested in it?

A captivating piece of art is always great art.

Pretty simple. All the best things are.

TRISHA WILES