I throw dignity out the window, and just become a creature of the moment on the stage. I act like I'd never act in real life.

Artists are people who create beauty. That's the bottom line.

Puppets are pure form then ideas for performance come out of that. It's always the form and the visuals and that's why I like to make puppets in a gallery or museum. They're not often in those contexts.

I'm a sign painter with no boss.

I'm thankful for the big stuff of course-my family, health, human kindness. But I'm also thankful that I don't have to work for Hollywood anymore.

I would advise puppeteering for any artist. It's a way to break down pretensions. It's a sculpture that can talk. It's a painting that can talk. And it's pure play. I think every artist needs to stay in touch with the idea of playing. The artist should always be playing, always. All art is performance.

Once the cameras rolling or the audience is in the seats, I'm on. I can't help it. I go into a trance.