I'm the oldest antique in town.

Everyone in those days expected that art students were wild, licentious characters. We didn't know how to be, but we sure were anxious to learn.

I just wanted to do something important.

Eisenhower had about the most expressive face I ever painted, I guess. Just like an actor's. Very mobile. When he talked, he used all the facial muscles. And he had a great, wide mouth that I liked. When he smiled, it was just like the sun came out.

I keep the pornographic stuff in a bus station locker.

Some folks think I painted Lincoln from life, but I haven't been around that long. Not quite.

The story is the first thing and the last thing.