In my work, I want to create an understanding, not about what a painting looks like but about what a painting says.

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.

Sustainable happiness is important, because it not only elevate our own wellbeing locally, but also contributes to collective global flourishing.

Only a swine thinks size and strenght are the same thing.

You can't force folks to have good sense, even if they're family. Maybe especially then.

It is part of my faith as a Muslim to try to help those who are suffering from poverty or economic or political injustice.

Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently.

Arnold was a dog's dog. Whenever he shuffled along walks and through alleyways, he always gave the impression of being on to something big.

I am involved with politics today because of the inspiration I received from Ronald Reagan.

People who are crazy rarely question whether they're crazy.

Classical quotation is the parole of literary men all over the world.

Fashion intersects a lot with art and film and music, and that was appealing to me. I read a bunch of fashion blogs and wanted to be part of the community.