Holding together a kind of tension. When you see a painting that's really good that's what it's doing.

A work of art is a renewable source of energy.

I've always worn a hat when I work. I think it also comes from a picture of Rothko I saw with a painter's hat on.

I'm an abstract painter not just for myself, but because I really believe in abstraction.

Western artists stand as humans looking at nature; Asian artists try to be in nature. You become one with nature rather than painting a portrait of it. That's a big shift.

When you're using a long brush, you have your arm at full length. Basically, it exaggerates the movement of your body. But I always start far away and end up really close.

Being an artist is very independent thinking, although there's always going to be a lot of doubt.