I have painted portraits that to me are almost photographic. I remember hesitating to show the paintings, they looked so real to me. But they have passed into the world as abstractions - no one seeing what they are.

I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught.

One can not be an American by going about saying that one is an American. It is necessary to feel America, like America, love America and then work.

I made you take time to look at what I saw and when you took time to really notice my flower, you hung all your associations with flowers on my flower and you write about my flower as if I think and see what you think and see—and I don't.

Singing has always seemed to me the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. And after singing, I think the violin. Since I cannot sing, I paint.

It seems to be my mission in life to wait on a dog.

The morning is the best time, there are no people around. My pleasant disposition likes the world with nobody in it.