And I think a painting has such a limited life anyway

There is no reason not to consider the world as one gigantic painting.

You begin with the possibilities of the material.

I don't really trust ideas - especially good ones... Rather, I put my trust in the materials that confront me, because they put me in touch with the unknown.

The only thing that I could get with chance, and I never was able to use it, was that I would end up with something quite geometric or the spirit that I was interested in, indulging in, was gone.

It is neither Art for Art, nor Art against Art. I am for Art, but for Art that has nothing to do with Art. Art has everything to do with life, but it has nothing to do with Art.

I've not been cursed with talent, which could be a great inhibitor.

An empty canvas is full.

The artist's job is to be a witness to his time in history.

I don't think of myself as making art. I do what I do because I want to, because painting is the best way I've found to get along with myself.

Even at this late date, I go into my studio, and I think 'Is this going to be it? Is it the end?' You see, nearly everything terrorizes me. When an artist loses that terror, he's through.

Everyone basically has one aria to sing over their entire life.

If you're going to try, go all the way. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives, jobs and maybe your mind.

There's a kind of amateurishness among French actresses, but I don't share that completely.

Hee that bewailes himselfe hath the cure in his hands.

When you think about it, Alaska is also near the North Pole, so she must also be friends with Santa.

Nationalism, like virtue, has its own reward.

[On President Bush's plan to get to Mars in 10 years] Stupid. Robots would do a better job and be much cheaper because you don't have to bring them back.

Charles Darwin viewed the fossil record more as an embarrassment than as an aid to his theory.

If you see a candidate that Washington embraces, run and hide.

I like rock music. I also like classical, if you ask me. I'm very adaptable, they say that. But I have certain preference too, be honest.