Art can be elusive to many. We often convince ourselves that you must be skilled or trained to truly understand great works of art. But great works of art should speak for themselves. Art should speak to your soul and not your mind – and you shouldn’t need a college degree to feel the intent behind the artist’s work.

That’s why Pop Art became so popular. It spoke to Everyperson. My Pop Art keeps Pop Art alive by turning a special photograph of yours into a piece that will most certainly resonate with you.

The next time you see a painting and it leaves you scratching your head in confusion, you may want to think about the following:

Look for symbols. A symbol, very simply, is something that means something else. The Tower of Babel is a well-known symbol in Western society, representing both the dangers of pride and the disruption of human unity. Often a painting will include very clear symbols — skulls, for instance, were often included in portraits of the wealthy to remind them that their wealth was only worldly and, in the grand scheme of things, ultimately meaningless. But just as often the symbolism is unique, the artist’s own individual statement. Don’t get caught in the trap of trying to figure out “what the artist meant”; focus instead on what the work says to you.

Remember, art isn’t meant to be elusive and confusing. It should speak to you. If it doesn’t, don’t question yourself, question the artist instead. In the meantime, continue to examine the art that exists all around you and ask questions! Art should be for everyone!