As far as I am concerned the paint is the person. I want it to work for me just as flesh does

The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real.

The paintings live because their creator has been passionately attentive to their theme, and his attention has left something for us to look at. It seems a sort of miracle.

The paintings that really excite me have an erotic element or side to them irrespective of subject matter

And, since the model he faithfully copies is not going to be hung up next to the picture, since the picture is going to be there on its own, it is of no interest whether it is an accurate copy of the model.

The character of the artist doesn't enter into the nature of the art

The painter's obsession with his subject is all that he needs to drive him to work.