One clear difference between art and commercial work is that commercial work is exploitive: the work may be high quality but the intention is to sell product or tickets. Art exists with or without ticket sales.

The ballet needs to tell its own story in such a way it can be received without having to be translated into language.

Creativity is not just for artists. It's for businesspeople looking for a new way to close a sale; it's for engineers trying to solve a problem; it's for parents who want their children to see the world in more than one way.

The necessity to constantly turn in an excellent performance, to be absolutely wedded to this dedication and this ideal means that as a child you're going to pay for it personally.

When it all comes together, a creative life has the nourishing power we normally associate with food, love and faith.

A commission is an invitation to fall in love.

Obligation is a flimsy base for creativity, way down the list behind passion, courage, instinct, and the desire to do something great.