I have a lot of problems with Western European easel painting.

I think there's something important in going against the grain, and perhaps finding value in things that aren't necessarily institutionally recognized.

This is something that, as artists, we constantly deal with-throwing away the past, slaying the father, and creating the new. This desire to throw away the old rules.

The backgrounds by design are a very key part of the conversation, because I want a kind of fight or pressure to exist between the figure and the background.

All art is self-portraiture.

Painting is situational. And my particular situation exists within gender, race, class, sexuality, nation.

I believe that artists should be part of the culture. I think that my work clearly bears that out.

The art world has become so insular. The rules have become so autodidactic that, in a sense, they lose track of what people have any interest in thinking about, talking about or even looking at.

We have a lot of sort of received historical ways of viewing portraiture. And I suppose in some way I'm sort of questioning that by toying with the rules of the game.

We're wired to be empathetic and to care about the needs of others, but also to be curious about others. And I think that's just sort of in our DNA. And so portraiture is a very human act.

I guess art is in the eye of the beholder.

If everyone in New York took sides over these petty, insignificant arguments, no one would have any friends at all.

Was there anything quite so painful, so fraught with the possibilities of hurt, as gift giving within a family?

If your romance is dying, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Trying hard and working hard is its own reward. It feeds the soul. It affirms your will and your power. And it radiates from you, lighting the way for all those who see you.

No one will ever make necessity not happen.

I think that theater is the closest medium to music. It's very pure. It's for the elite of the society. It's not for everyone in the society.

To master fear is the most important battle to win.

Since I was in my early twenties, at ABC, I was always only interested in things that were not already being done.

It was no true prayer to beg forgiveness while choosing to sin.

I'm neither embarrassed of who I am, where I come from, what I've experienced, I'm not ashamed of it.