There is, literally and figuratively, not a gold standard. That's almost as big a problem in art as in the financial world. How do you affix a value to something that only has value because a certain number of people agree to believe in that value?

I think what I do is find a cliché and try to believe in it, try to get to where I don't laugh at it.

There's nothing worse than people talking about theories and humor.

That was an important development for me, just realizing that you need to follow your pleasure, at least as a painter. I think any kind of artist needs to, no matter what you're doing.

I think a big problem with art school is that it makes people feel like they have to be interested in everything that's of high quality.

When I went to college, and I went to art school, I started to realize that Warhol was cool and that pop art was fun.

I wonder whether there is such a thing as critical art. I suppose there are portraits of people who could destroy you.