I decided to start anew-to strip away what I had been taught, to accept as true my own thinking. This was one of the best times of my life. There was no one around to look at what I was doing, no one interested, no one to say anything about it one way or another. I was alone and singularly free, working into my own, unknown-no one to satisfy but myself. I began with charcoal and paper and decided not to use any color until it was impossible to do what I wanted to do in black and white. I believe it was June before I needed blue.

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.

The abstraction is often the most definite form for the intangible thing in myself that I can clarify in paint.

Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time.

Marks on paper are free - free speech - press - pictures all go together I suppose.

I had to create an equivalent for what I felt about what I was looking at - not copy it.

My first memory is of the brightness of light ... light all around. I was sitting among pillows on a quilt on the ground ... very large white pillows.