I think it's so foolish for people to want to be happy. Happy is so momentary--you're happy for an instant and then you start thinking again. Interest is the most important thing in life; happiness is temporary, but interest is continuous.

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

God told me if I painted that mountain enough, I could have it.

One can't paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt.

Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.

It was all so far away - there was quiet and an untouched feel to the country and I could work as I pleased.

I believe an artist is the last person in the world who can afford to be affected.