What defines art really?

This is a topic that has been on my mind for quite some time. I've always been a fan of all kinds of art from painting to writing and film and music. In being a fan though I've also become a bit of a critic because I harbor my own distinct opinion about things. That being said though, what really justifies my criticism? What makes my opinion of value? What makes anyone's opinion in regard to art valuable?

I'll provide a couple of examples. For instance, a few weeks ago a girl who I'm "friends" with on Facebook dissed a couple of photos I had posted citing bad lighting and some other aspects. I got pissy and deleted her comments. I sent her this long ranting message about how she had no right to rip my work to shreds on my Facebook of all places. It was immature of me, but I suppose those photos to me were works of art. To her they were photographs...bad ones, apparently. I am of the opinion that all work is commendable and that no matter what a critic should be able to comment on the artistry of what they're examining.

Another example: Last week I went to the National Quilting Museum...interesting, huh? What was fascinating about it was the technique that these women and men put into these creations. All the stitching and patterns were flawless and it was truly stunning. These people had taken a hobby that most discard as a pasttime of old women and they turned it into a significant art form. It was really commendable. You could see the sweat and passion that went into the work through the hands of the hunched over quilters.

All art is subjective and I love that about art. I could type the word "Art" on a piece of paper and staple it to the wall...it's still art. I feel this is a big part of filmmaking as well. Just recently people were outraged at Lars Von Trier's latest creation Antichrist. Call him a misogynist, but it doesn't make him any less of an artist. His film features a woman cutting off her clitoris and a man ejaculating blood, but does that make it any less of an artistic statement? Is it just sensationalism? Or pornography?

Anyway to cap this whole entry off I'm going to post a sketch I did ages ago. It is entitled "My Brain." I'm quite proud of it and, yes, I consider it art.