To me the most important thing in a piece of art is the thought. Technique is totally secondary.

If you find yourself worrying, go outside, take three breaths, address a tree and quietly say, 'Thank you.' If you can't find a tree, a dandelion will do... Nature is magic.

I never thought that I would support myself with art - everyone in the Group of Seven had day jobs. I became a geography teacher so that I could get free field trips into the wilderness to paint.

I've never thought sitting around worrying helps anything, except to help shorten your life.

I got serious about painting at 12, when most people give up.

It doesn't take more skill to paint hundreds of strokes rather than one right stroke but it takes more patience.

If I ever have a conflict between art and nature, I let art win.

The most important question facing the planet is: Is it worth it?

Nature is not a free lunch, but we treat it as a free lunch.

In our instant pudding world, everything is sweet, smooth, very convenient and fast. There are lots of assorted flavors, but they're all artificial.

Aesthetic pleasure is not to be taken lightly; it's very important for the spirit and therefore the health.

Peace will be there when you will be looking for it and ready for it.

If you're not called crazy when you launch something new, it means you're not thinking BIG enough.

History is often made and buttressed by myths and folklore rather than facts.

All we had ever heard about record company people is that they were vampires and criminals...and they killed Elvis Presley.

I don't think there will be fascism in America, but we have to do everything we can to fight against it.

I said to myself that I shall try to make my life like an open fireplace, so that people may be warmed and cheered by it and so go out themselves to warm and cheer.

I know already the music I will write. But the words? I have not yet decided.

You do form a cadre of people that you trust and who are good at their jobs and who know you and what your quirks and foibles are. It makes making movies very collegial and a lot more fun.

I guess some mistakes you never stop paying for.

Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.