There was a whole language that I could never make function for myself; it revolved around words like 'tortured', 'struggle'. 'pain'.. .I could never see these qualities in paint - I could see them in life and art that illustrates life. But I could not see such conflicts in the materials and I knew that it had to be in the attitude of the painter.

My concern is never art, but always what art can be used for.

An empty canvas is full only if you want it to be full.

If I declare it to be so, then this is a portrait.

I feel as though the world is a friendly boy walking along in the sun.

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

I'm not so facile that I can accomplish or find out what I want to know or explore enough of the possibilities and a way of making a painting, say, in just one painting or two paintings.