I always thought my father [influenced me most] because he was so well read, I tried to model myself on him, but really as I go through life I realise it was my mother who gave me the most valuable instructions. I didn't understand or accept it at the time. She taught me to read and to pray - two things that have really stayed with me.

I wish I could just project everything on the paper.

A writer, or any artist, can’t expect to be embraced by the people [but] you just keep doing your work - because you have to, because it’s your calling.

The film [Dream of Life] looks at a time in my life.

I feel about politics the same way I do about religion: I find the best I can from different things.

I started thinking what could happen with my art and I realized that the biggest thing that could is that it winds up in a museum. It's like finding a rare animal and putting it in the zoo.

I like photographing dresses in windows. I actually wore a lot of dresses in the '70s. I like them on other people now.