My interest in desperation lies only in that sometimes I find myself having become desperate. Very seldom do I start out that way. I can see of course that, in the abstract, thinking and all activity is rather desperate.

The problem with property is that it takes so much of your time.

I read somewhere that Rubens said students should not draw from life, but draw from all the great classic casts. Then you really get the measure of them, you really know what to do. And then, put in your own dimples. Isn't that marvelous!

Not even for a million dollars would I paint a tree.

The past does not influence me; I influence it.

An artist is forced by others to paint out of his own free will.

I think I'm painting a picture of two women but it may turn out to be a landscape.