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.

It's not enough to be nice in life. You've got to have nerve.

I am trying with all my skill to do a painting that is all woman, as well as all of me.

Anyone who doesn't feel the crosses simply doesn't get that country.

I wish people were all trees and I think I could enjoy them then.

I'd been taught to paint like other people, and I thought, what's the use? I couldn't do any better than they, or even as well. I was just adding to the brushpile. So I quit.

Since I cannot sing, I paint.