Hidden meanings in art

Similarly to how you can read between the words in literature and pick out symbolism, underlying messages can be read in art, perhaps moreso than in literature. A painting is worth 1000 words as they say. As such an interpretive means of conveying something, art can be interpreted in many different ways. Certain symbols and colours tend to have a somewhat universal interpretation however.
Do you try to put meaning behind the art you create? Do you pick colours based on a mood you want to convey, or as foreshadowing to something coming after the scene shown?
Are you a viewer of art that tries to interpret the meaning of what you see, or do you just appreciate the surface layer?