It seems to me that before a man tries to express anything to the world he must recognize in himself an individual, a new one, very distinct from others.

An artist must have imagination. An artist who does not use his imagination is a mechanic.

We are not here to do what has already been done.

There are people who buy pictures because they were difficult to do, and are done. Such pictures are often only a record of pain and dull perseverance. Great works of art should look as though they were made in joy. Real joy is a tremendous activity, dull drudgery is nothing to it.

I am always sorry for the Puritan, for he guided his life against desire and against nature. He found what he thought was comfort, for he believed the spirit's safety was in negation, but he has never given the world one minute's joy or produced one symbol of the beautiful order of nature. He sought peace in bondage and his spirit became a prisoner.

What we need is more sense of the wonder of life and less of this business of making a picture.

Feel the dignity of a child. Do not feel superior to him, for you are not.