I was 12 in 1989 during perestroika, when my mother found a program that sent me to Russia to study art in the forests outside of Leningrad.

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.

...but every person who does serious time with a keyboard is attempting to translate his version of the world into words so that he might be understood.

Care enough to take deliberate steps and get ready through thoughtful discipline, research, organization, and effort. It will impress others and give you the winner’s edge to live and give your best.

You must be careful when you ask people whether they’re happy; it’s a question that can upset them a great deal.

I will not reach my full potential as a man unless I find my partner.

When you're in my house you shall do as I do and believe who I believe in. So Bart butter your bacon.

I believe that God has a specific plan and reason He created each one of us.

We can learn to be whole by saying what we mean and doing what we say.

Meditation is a rich and powerful method of study for anyone who knows how to examine his mind.

An It bag is an It bag, only if you’re unlikely to possess it.

As with stomachs, we should pity minds that do not eat.