It's easy to get caught up in how grand or culturally significant works of art can be. There have been countless books and lectures about the history of art and the themes of famous paintings and sculptures. But we rarely hear about how art makes us feel. Audiences can have their own personal reaction to a work of art and it's a key quality that defines art in general.

Many of the effects that art has on its audience is subconscious. Psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung have long studied the nature of the unconscious mind and how it relates to our active everyday behavior. While we might concentrate on a painting like the Mona Lisa and think about Leonardo da Vinci or the history of the Renaissance, what's more important is how the painting itself makes us feel. We might feel awe at the skill of the painting or a moment of recognition when we see Mona Lisa smiling back at us. There is no one way to feel when looking at such a famous piece of art. It all depends on our subconscious reactions.

Inspiration is another quality associated strongly with art and it's not limited only to great artists. When we look at a beautiful painting or hear a touching symphony, we're transported to a place of deep emotion. It can unlock something new in us, like a motivation to change our lives or a new appreciation of someone we've forgotten. The same work of art can inspire us in different ways, but it's that ability to inspire feeling that makes it a work of art in the first place.

For both serious art collectors and casual gallery visitors, a lot of good can come from taking some time to sit back and enjoy a painting or a sculpture on display. To get the most of your art viewing experience, consider these 3 questions.

1. What attracts you to this particular work? Despite what many art historians and critics might say, the real value of art isn't just in its history. It depends on how it makes you, the audience, feel when you look at it. Not everyone will feel better looking at a Mona Lisa or a Pablo Picasso portrait. Look at different artists and styles to see what you enjoy and think about why you enjoy them.

2. How do you feel after you've looked at this piece of art? Some art conveys sorrow, other works are brimming with joy, and a few works are so surreal that no one knows how to feel about them. When you've finished observing a work of art, consider how you feel afterward. Do you feel happy? Refreshed? Overwhelmed? Art has the capacity to inspire us, so you should take an interest in any work that speaks to you on a personal level.

3. Where can you find similar works of art? If you've enjoyed the work of a particular artist or artistic style, make an effort to find similar works and continue building up those feelings of joy and inspiration.

Image by Grand Canyon National Park on Flickr