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

Without thinking too much about it in specific terms, I was showing the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed. My fundamental purpose is to interpret the typical American. I am a story teller.

I work from fatigue to fatigue at my age there's only so much daylight left.

I'm not going to be caught around here for any fool celebration. To hell with birthdays!

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.

Commonplaces never become tiresome. It is we who become tired when we cease to be curious and appreciative.

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.