Thoughts from Artists

I have been working steadily to finally finish my long-term photography project, and I found the quotes shown below very thoughtful and timely.  Hopefully, it provides you with some insights as well!

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” —Pablo Picasso

“I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” —Diane Arbus

“An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else’s.” —J.D. Salinger

“No great artist ever sees things as they really are.  If he did, he would cease to be an artist.” —Oscar Wilde

“You can’t use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have.” —Maya Angelou

“Creativity takes courage.” —Henri Matisse

“It’s always been my philosophy to try to make art out of the everyday and ordinary…it never occurred to me to leave home to make art.” —Sally Mann

“An artist is always beginning.  Any work of art which is not a beginning, and invention, a discovery is of little worth.” —Ezra Pound

“The artist’s world is limitless.  It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away.  It is always on his doorstep.” —Paul Strand

“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” —Edward Hopper

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” —Edgar Degas

“Photography is an art of observation.  It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.” —Elliott Erwitt

“Don’t think about making art, just get it done.  Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it.  While they are deciding, make even more art.” —Andy Warhol

“To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.  So do it.” —Kurt Vonnegut

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” —Ansel Adams

“Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.” —Salvador Dali

“If you are willing to do something that might not work, you’re closer to being an artist.” —Seth Godin

“Pick a theme and work it to exhaustion…the subject must be something you truly love or truly hate.” —Dorothea Lange

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” —Emile Zola

“One must go on working silently, trusting the result to the future.” —Vincent Van Gogh