That which takes us by surprise-moments of happiness-that is inspiration.

Happiness is being on the beam with life - to feel the pull of life

I would like my work to be recognized as being in the classical tradition (Coptic, Egyptian, Greek, Chinese), as representing the Ideal in the mind. Classical art cannot possibly be eclectic. One must see the ideal in one's own mind. It is like a memory - an awareness -of perfection.

The enormous pitfall is devotion to oneself instead of to life. All works that are self-devoted are absolutely ineffective.

I'm very careful not to have ideas, because they're inaccurate.

I once taught art to adults in a night course. I had a woman who painted her back yard, and she said it was the first time she had ever really looked at it. I think everyone sees beauty. Art is a way to respond

What we really want to do is serve happiness. We want everyone to be happy, never unhappy even for a moment. We want the animals to be happy. The happiness of every living thing is what we want.