Most artists like to think of themselves as rugged individualists, as independent characters.

My goal... not to go back to Rembrandt... but to bring the great tradition and whatever is great about it, up to date.

As far as I'm concerned, I want to remain the mean little man I always was.

I wish there was a painter who could paint as well as Ted Williams could hit.

I'm the little dog who goes the wrong way-under the hoop.

It was a movement that had all the art critics, all the museum directors in its thrall.

Now painting is different. It's something recollected in tranquility.