While I can hire out the portrait, I don't, because it's just - that's where I shine. You know, that's my blood sport.

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.

Conquering your fear gives you the best victory.

Not money, not fame and not positions can transform an enemy into a friend but rather, it is love that can do such a job.

Life is now ... this day this hour ... and is probably the only experience of the kind one is to have.

I loved history in my school days, and I have always been a voracious reader. But in India, you end up doing MBA, engineering or medicine.

We encourage one another in mediocrity.

The only reason we make good role models is because you guys look up to athletes and we can influence you in positive ways. But the real role models should be your parents and teachers!

It is in an ennobled soul only that the universal powers can do their work, especially if body, mind and soul have been equally trained and developed.

If you're living your life avoiding stress, you must be living on an ashram.

You have been doing something that has brought you success, and you are in the playoffs because you have been doing some thing right.

I'm a perfectionist in recovery. I'm trying to deal with that monster inside of me that wants to do everything right. Or better than right.