LeRoy Neiman Quotes

Eating is one of the great beauties in life. One of my favorite recreations... eating with friends, the service, the ambience.

I have always said to young artists that scholastic training and the studying of art history are crucial to fully developing as an artist.

It's not the act of arrogance to draw, it's humbling - you must use your God-given talent. And of all the people I sketch, in most cases I feel I have to measure up to the subject.

Ive zeroed in on what you would call action and excellence... Everybody who does anything to try to succeed has to give the best of themselves, and art has made me pull the best out of myself.

Some people try to paint in my style. Some simply sell pirated copies of my work. Some claim to be my publisher or agent or even my exclusive representative, when they are not.

But 'Playboy' was liberating. I was drawn to it and went for it full throttle.

I played an artist in a comedy called 'Rooster.' It was a zany film by Glen Larson, a friend who produced several successful television series including 'Magnum PI.

I don't know if I'm an impressionist or an expressionist. You can call me an American first... I've been labeled doing neimanism, so that's what it is, I guess.

You can't take yourself too seriously.

I draw all the time. Drawing is my backbone. I don't think a painter has to be able to draw, I just think that if you draw, you better draw well.

My lovely wife Janet has been in a few paintings. She is basically a reserved woman who has never sought the limelight. She has always been there throughout my career and continues to be at my side.

It has been difficult to hold onto many paintings but I have retained a few.

Imagination comes of not having things.

I guess I created LeRoy Neiman. Nobody else told me how to do it. Well, I'm a believer in the theory that the artist is as important as his work.

I can easily ignore my detractors and feel the people who respond favorably.

As I turn 91... I have to admit my hours at the easel have diminished.

I hold doors open for all the women. Men can open the doors for themselves.

I always stayed in tune with my own ambitions and attitudes and I'm still my intractable old self, for better or worse.

The people who love my paintings, that respond to them the most, they're spectators, they're not viewers.

I love the passion you go through while you're creating.

The businessman says 'If I don't do it first, somebody else will.' The artist says 'If I don't do it first, nobody else will.'

It's a nice feeling to go out in the world and look for excellence - the best in man. My subject is very valid. It's about people, and about life.