I have no ideas about what the paintings imply about the world. I don't think that's a painter's business. He just paints paintings without a conscious reason.

As one gets older one sees many more paths that could be taken. Artists sense within their own work that kind of swelling of possibilities, which may seem a freedom or a confusion.

Bend color names which should be made of neon or copper tubing. Place an object on a surface - trace the object - then bend the object - leaving some part of it attached.

To be an artist you have to give up everything, including the desire to be a good artist.

Take an object. Do something to it. Do something else to it.

One night I dreamed that I painted a large American flag, and the next morning I got up and I went out and bought the materials to begin it.

When something is new to us, we treat it as an experience. We feel that our senses are awake and clear. We are alive.

I assumed that everything would lead to complete failure, but I decided that didn't matter – that would be my life.

One works without thinking how to work.

It's simple, you just take something and do something to it, and then do something else to it. Keep doing this, and pretty soon you've got something.

Art is either a complaint or appeasement.

Survival is an ancient dream Life is nothing but an everlasting illusionNothing is RealDon’t believe in illusion, Remember me, I am here …

Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.

Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil. Tis the sole remedy against misfortune the very ventilation of the soul.

I listen to them freely and with all the respect merited by their intelligence, their character, their knowledge, reserving always my incontestable right of criticism and censure.

It was like looking at a knot, knowing it was a knot, but not knowing how to untie it. I had no map for this life.

While I was into many different types of music, and played with many different local groups, I really didn't have a band to call my own until Dire Straits was formed in 1977.

There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It's why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.

A scientist is never certain. ... We absolutely must leave room for doubt or there is no progress and there is no learning.

The liberty of using harmless pleasure will not be disputed; but it is still to be examined what pleasures are harmless.

I was the ugly duckling until I reached puberty.