Or shortly asked, at which point an object/picture/whatsoever starts becoming art? I think this is a very interesting question and probably everybody here got his/her own opinion about it. Lets share all the different points of view, I start with the mine: For me, art is the realisation of an idea to awake a certain emotional reaction. In a positive or negative, beautiful or ugly sense. Maybe you know the sentence of Frederico Fellini: If the people are puking onto the floor its also a kind of appreciation. (Ok, he really was a bit of a maniac but I couldnt resist to mention this quotation ;)) Art follows rules! Or why do you think is theory of colours, perspective, proportions, aesthetics etc. taught after all since ages? And if this point woulnt be of any importance, you could close every art academy in the world as well. This includes also the proper handling of your tools! That doesnt mean that you need to study at university to produce art, but you should keep some essential basics in mind. Some lucky people inherit a natural sense for it, the others have to learn. Art needs its time! If the way from the first idea till the final result doesnt last longer than 15 minutes, I dare to say that you didnt put your real heart-blood into it. Art needs accuracy! What has a blowzy technique in common with a masterpiece? Both are eye-catchers, first in a negative, second in a positive way. Art is unique! If every piece of your output looks like the hundred ones before, one of the worst art-killers has successfully trapped you: The mass production. Art is vivid! Producing a piece of art is spirited process, a continuous development and a constant improvement of the artists skills. If you neglect or even ignore this process, the absolutely worst of all art-killers got you in his claws: The stagnation. And last not least, art can tolerate any criticism as long as it is said in a constructive and polite way. Always remember Confuzius and what he said centuries ago: If you are annoyed by criticism you admit that it was legitimated. ************************************* P.S: I hope this is halfway understandable; I always have problems to write a longer text in English.