I've not been cursed with talent, which could be a great inhibitor.

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

Work is my joy... Work is my therapy, I don't know anybody who loves work as much as I do.

I'm sure we don't read old paintings the way they were intended

People ask me, 'Don't you ever run out of ideas?' In the first place I don't use ideas. Every time I have an idea it's too limiting, and usually turns out to be a disappointment. But I haven't run out of curiosity.

I really feel sorry for people who think things like soap dishes or mirrors or Coke bottles are ugly, because they're surrounded by things like that all day long, and it must make them miserable.

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.