True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.

I have never painted a self-portrait. I am less interested in myself as a subject for a painting than I am in other people, above all women... There is nothing special about me. I am a painter who paints day after day from morning to night... Who ever wants to know something about me... ought to look carefully at my pictures.

On my first days here I did not start work immediately but, as planned, I took it easy for a few days - flicked through books, studied Japanese art a little.

There is nothing that special to see when looking at me. I'm a painter who paints day in day out, from morning till evening - figure pictures and landscapes, more rarely portraits.

True relaxation, which would do me the world of good, does not exist for me.

Although even when I am being idle I have plenty of food for thought both early and late - thoughts both about and not about art.

There is always hope, as long as the canvases are empty.