It wouldn't be right for me to clown around when I'm painting a president.

Travel is like a tonic to me. It's more than just getting away from the studio for a brief rest. I need it to recharge my batteries.

The view of life I communicate in my pictures excludes the sordid and ugly. I paint life as I would like it to be.

How will I be remembered? As a technician or artist? As a humorist or a visionary?

The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.

I talk as I sketch, too, in order to keep their minds off what I'm doing so I'll get the most natural expression I can from them. Also, the talking helps to size up the subject's personality, so I can figure out better how to portray him.

If there was sadness in this creative world of mine, it was a pleasant sadness. If there were problems, they were humorous problems.