I like form and shape and strength in pictures.

I always enjoyed art history because, growing up in California, my exposure was limited, and it was a new experience. To learn the history of art opened up certain things to me, made me see. It intrigued me.

What I particularly liked was that, coming from California and not being involved in the New York scene, I developed my personal way, in my own way, at my own pace.

Being an American is about having the right to be who you are. Sometimes that doesn't happen.

For me, the most important thing I learned was just honing my eye. I think I had a good eye.

Coming from California and growing up where I did, I've always had a fondness for and innate sensitivity to light, texture, and warmth.

I think a lot of the time these days people are so concerned about having the right camera and the right film and the right lenses and all the special effects that go along with it, even the computer, that they're missing the key element.