I think most paintings are a record of the decisions that the artist made. I just perhaps make them a little clearer than some people have.
Chuck CloseNever let anyone define what you are capable of by using parameters that don't apply to you. Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work. Every great idea I've ever had grew out of work itself. Sign onto a process and see where it takes you. You don't have to invent the wheel everyday. Today you will do what you did yesterday, tomorrow you will do what you did today. Eventually, you will get somewhere.
Chuck CloseOf all the artists who emerged in the '80s, I think perhaps Cindy Sherman is the most important.
Chuck CloseI think the problem with the arts in America is how unimportant it seems to be in our educational system.
Chuck CloseAfter a few days in hospital, I was thinking, Oh, gee - I raised in a church, Protestant upbringing which I'd rejected as an adult - I'm lying in bed thinking, Hmmm, maybe I ought to pray. They always say there are no atheists in a foxhole... and I thought, Here I am in a pretty good-sized foxhole... and I thought Naahhh. I wouldn't respect any God who would listen to me after I'd rejected him so vociferously.
Chuck Close