My idealism is clearly one reason I'm an artist. I see art as one of mankind's more sublime acts, as a vital counterbalance to our base impulses .

Talent, don't bother about wether or not you have it. Just assume that you do, and forget about it. Talent is a word we use after someone has become accomplished.

It often takes two to do a good painting - one to paint it, and another to rap the painter smartly with a hammer before he or she can ruin it.

I honestly believe students of painting in the next century will laugh at the abstract art movement. They will marvel at such a drawn-out regression in the plastic arts.

If there is a conflict in your mind between what you know and what you are seeing, paint what you see because if you don't, the result will look like something that isn't there.

Make your art a gift of inspiration to others to work toward better things.

When we are bursting with some wordless experience, Art is our voice, the song of the heart.

What sets you apart from the rest of humanity is your ability to give visual form to an idea - the skill to transform it into something more than merely the insight or perception alone.

Don't wish for "secrets" of the masters, either. There are none worth fooling with. They had no special mediums or paints, nor special brushes that made their work great.

All great art originates from the innocent child within us expressing itself through the wisdom, experience and skill of an adult.

The strength and clarity of the picture you envision at the start will tell you when you are done. You are finished when you have said what you wish to say, when nothing added can make it better.

She was worried these thoughts would crush her if she let them come, but they didn't. You didn't know how heavy they were until you tried to lift them. You didn't know how strong you were.

By not forgiving yourself you are limiting your ability to give to others.

I can be patient, Vivienne, and I believe you’re worth waiting for.

We learn from each other. We learn from others' mistakes, from their experience, their wisdom. It makes it easier for us to come to better decisions in our own lives.

Faith is occupied with the Object upon which it rests and pays no attention to itself at all.

I would say the world's in terrible shape, but I'm afraid the world would say, "Look who's talking".

Stop thinking about your difficulties, whatever they are, and start thinking about God instead.

Once you go alien, you really do never go back.

God is with me, helping me.

Humbert was perfectly capable of intercourse with Eve, but it was Lilith he longed for.