I guess I created LeRoy Neiman. Nobody else told me how to do it. Well, I'm a believer in the theory that the artist is as important as his work.

I always stayed in tune with my own ambitions and attitudes and I'm still my intractable old self, for better or worse.

Eating is one of the great beauties in life. One of my favorite recreations... eating with friends, the service, the ambience.

The big shock of my life was Abstract Expressionism - Pollock, de Kooning, those guys. It changed my work. I was an academically trained student, and suddenly you could pour paint, smear it on, broom it on!

But 'Playboy' was liberating. I was drawn to it and went for it full throttle.

I love the passion you go through while you're creating.

It's a nice feeling to go out in the world and look for excellence - the best in man. My subject is very valid. It's about people, and about life.