You have to have the time to feel sorry for yourself in order to be a good abstract expressionist.

One has to believe in what one is doing, one has to commit oneself inwardly, in order to do painting. Once obsessed, one ultimately carries it to the point of believing that one might change human beings through painting. But if one lacks this passionate commitment, there is nothing left to do. Then it is best to leave it alone.

I don't really trust ideas - especially good ones... Rather, I put my trust in the materials that confront me, because they put me in touch with the unknown.

But I was in awe of the painters; I mean I was new in New York, and I thought the painting that was going on here was just unbelievable

This telegram is a work of art if I say it is.

While my classmates were reading their textbooks, I drew in the margins.

I don't mess around with my subconscious