I believe that artists should be part of the culture. I think that my work clearly bears that out.

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.

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.

I think that's kind of indicative of a type of self-confidence that people develop when they recognize their own ability to create.

Celebrate the journey. It’s not all about the destination. Savor all of your successes, even the small ones.

Ignorance of mortality is a comfort.

The gossip might make better reading, but the simple fact of the matter is that it isn't true.

We are dust and shadow. [Lat., Pulvis et umbra sumus.]

Whoever makes it a rule to test action by thought, thought by action, cannot falter, and if he does, will soon find his way back to the right road.

It feels good to be a part of history.

All scientific knowledge to which man owes his role as master of the world arose from playful activities.

This life is mine because of good luck. And because I reached out and took it.

Do you advocate the Ten Commandments as a guide to the good life? Then I can only presume that you don't know the Ten Commandments.

If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk.