Nobody understood The Reoccurring Dream, but after September 11, when we were coerced to do a national duty and go out and shop, surely people could begin to see what I was getting at.

When I came to California, it was the mecca of the world. Every young person on the planet wanted to be here.

In terms of fiction, I'd rather go out and have a good time than read a book about someone having a good or bad time.

I do have this reputation for being a serious person.

I heard someone from the music business saying they are no longer looking for talent, they want people with a certain look and a willingness to cooperate. I thought, that's interesting, because I believe a total unwillingness to cooperate is what is necessary to be an artist — not for perverse reasons, but to protect your vision. The considerations of a corporation, especially now, have nothing to do with art or music. That's why I spend my time now painting.

I'm irresponsible to my career in order to paint. Because painting is obsessive. I forget to eat. I forget to sleep.

Heaven's full of astronauts and the Lord's on death row.