Abstract Art

Today I was pondering the idea of abstract of non-objective art.  Abstract art is not an image of something; it is an expression of something like feelings or an emotion.  I was wondering, though, how this particular type of art is determined to be unique and brilliant or confusing and, well, crap.  For example, normally, a figure painting of a person would be considered good if it resembled the person it was depicting.  How do you depict emotions, though, in a way that is considered artistically brilliant or good? Sometimes, the ways that artists do abstract art to me looks like a child may have done it.  On the other hand, artists like Olga Burtseva, Joseph Giunta, and, of course, Pablo Picasso has greatly influenced society with their uniqueness.  Their paintings are just so amazing and beautiful.  When you get the chance to observe one of these paintings, you just can't help but feel in awe of the design presented to you.  Now, you may not quite understand the design, but you know it's there and you can just feel that something was happening when the artist painted it.  These and other abstract artists put their emotions and feelings on display for society to look at and observe.

(image of Picasso's "Musketeer with Pipe" thanks to:  http://www.picassoandmatisse.com/paintings/picasso/big/picasso_Musketeer_with_Pipe_and_Flowers_1968.jpg)