Mark Sandman of the music group Morphine sang, “I am like a mirror / I am nothing till you look at me.” Words for deep thought at 2 a.m. when you can't sleep. Let’s apply this to art.

Does art have value if it is never appreciated? I suppose this is why we have museums of art. Art is also one the few things that can achieve the priceless status. However, if a priceless painting is locked away behind six inches of steel and never to be seen, can we say still say it has value? Sure it has monetary value, but art is not about money. If no one can ever see it or appreciate it, then what value does it have? Yes, it seems Mark makes a valid point. 

Most things inherently human are interactive in nature. They must be seen or heard in order for their value to become more apparent. This is why, in the end, artists reluctantly part with their precious art – that and, of course, not wanting to be a literal starving artist. The artist is only part of the equation. The audience is another. Both are needed for art to have value.

Original art is like a mirror in one other aspect. Each time you peer into a mirror you see something new and unique. You will never see the same image twice. This is why original art is so special. You own something unique - something increasingly rare in a world of artificial clones and cheap knock-offs.

More than 6.5 billion people cannot have what you have. Each piece is unique, even more so with original oil paintings, as with time they interact with the environment (light, humidity, temperature, and dirt), creating subtle and hopefully positive changes. There are almost countless variables in this graceful aging process. This is why art really is priceless and one of the greatest values in our modern society.

The next time you peer into the mirror, take a moment to think about individuality, interactivity, originality, and art. Stay original. It’s priceless.