I worked three and then six hours a day in my studio with strict discipline and emotion. I obtained awards usually granted to other foreigners during the end-of-year admission tests.

At that time, the academic orientation was rather technical contrary to that of the university, where art theory is very important. The teachers were renowned artists and among the best of that time.

My first concern was to take care of my drawing. I did not have any knowledge in arts, especially Haitian arts, apart from the paintings I saw in my father's office.

I paint according to the moment and the theme. I don't have any prejudice. Life concerns me.

People are predominant in my paintings. Although they are not obvious, you can feel their presence.

Without a good cultural policy, without adequate help, we will always have individualists, shooting stars who are rapidly forgotten or who stop painting for a more profitable occupation.

The colors and creativity of our painters attracted me, but I remember that I was shocked by the lack of proportion.

There is no point in treating a depressed person as though she were just feeling sad...Sadness is more or less like a head cold -- with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.

When you’re being celebrated and flying high, don’t allow fanatics (fans) to elevate you so far out that you forget whose sky it is.

One of the things you're doing when you make art, apart from entertaining yourself and other people, is trying to see what ways of working feel good, what feels right.

And I'll stay off Verlaine too; he was always chasing Rimbauds.

Every bubble has two components: something - some real trend, and a misconception about that trend.

The only two things you can truly depend upon are gravity and greed.

What does not kill you will make you stronger and more cynical.

Philanthropy is the principal social institution that provides instruction in voluntary service.

Contrary to most people’s beliefs, music is in me, forever. I can recall it at any moment with utter precision.

Like many musicians, I don't look back much... only concentrate on what music I'm doing, and occasionally look ahead.