Canned reference is practically always loaded with problems. Photos, for example, contrive to kill imagination and stifle the natural development of creative patterns. While "ready-mades" do show up from time to time, they are rare. Art need not be what is seen-but what is to be seen. "Nature," said James McNeill Whistler, "is usually wrong."

A drawing a day keeps the cobwebs away.

Dogs are angels sent from heaven in order to help us to be better people.

While this may seem peculiar, the combo of work and distraction leads to levels of innovation not often generated by structured, focused thinking alone.

Whatever you do, don't let your system run you.

In painting you cover up your sins and everyone thinks you're naturally talented.

The thing about art is that life is in no danger of being meaningless.