I like to make an image that is so simple you can't avoid it, and so complicated you can't figure it out.

Most important, for openers, work six hours a day, seven days a week for six years. Then if you like it you can get serious about it.

Realist painting has to do with leaving out a lot of detail. I think my painting can be a little shocking in all that it leaves out. But what happens is that the mind fills in what's missing . . . Painting is a way of making you see what I saw.

What's in front of me is what's most interesting.

What makes everything one is the style.

If you're going to go for 'it' you have a common thing you share with other artists; that's desperation. You jump out a window style-wise. Try to put it together before you hit the ground.

Actually, you want to go into an area where you're frightened. Otherwise, you're just going to be repainting beautiful paintings, but a little duller each time.