I begin with an idea and then it becomes something else.

As an artist, all I need is my paints and brushes - and someone to drag me away when the canvas is done

If you give a meaning to certain things in my paintings it may be very true, but it is not my idea to give this meaning. What ideas and conclusions you have got I obtained too, but instinctively, unconsciously. I make the painting for the painting. I paint the objects for what they are.

Those trying to explain pictures are as a rule completely mistaken.

We must not discriminate between things. Where things are concerned there are no class distinctions. We must pick out what is good for us where we can find it.

There's nothing worse than a brilliant beginning.

Art is a lie that makes us realise truth ... that is given us to understand.