There was something about the self-confession and self-confusion of Abstract expressionism - as though the man and the work were the same - that personally always put me off because at that time my focus was in the opposite direction.

For me there is no difference between art and life.

An empty canvas is full.

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

You can't make either life or art, you have to work in the hole in between, which is undefined. That's what makes the adventure of painting.

This was my first encounter with art as art (he saw 'Pinky' painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence and 'The Blue Boy" painted by Thomas Gainborough).. ..somebody actually MADE those paintings.. ..(it) was the first time I realized you could be an artist.

I always have a good reason for taking something out but I never have one for putting something in. And I don't want to, because that means that the picture is being painted predigested.