“Sexism and racism are parallel problems. You can compare them in some ways, but they’re not at all the same. But they’re both symptoms inside the white male power structure.”

Painting completed my life. I lost three children and a series of other things that would have fulfilled my horrible life. My painting took the place of all of this. I think work is the best.

I love you more than my own skin.

Painting completed my life.

To paint is the most terrific thing that there is, but to do it well is very difficult.

Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic.

I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.

Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?

I want to be inside your darkest everything.

My toys were those of a boy: skates, bicycles.

Mankind owns its destiny, and its destiny is the earth. We are destroying it until we have no destiny.

I do not know whether my paintings are surrealist or not, but I do know that they are the frankest expression of myself.

I paint flowers so they will not die.

I find that Americans completely lack sensibility and good taste. They are boring, and they all have faces like unbaked rolls.

I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.

I am in agreement with everything my father taught me and nothing my mother taught me.

The most important part of the body is the brain. Of my face, I like the eyebrows and eyes.

Less rushing, more lingering. Less distraction, more noticing. Less comparison, more gratitude.

Don’t compare your kids. Every seed has its own variety and fragrance. 

If we are not comparing happiness then we should also not compare pain.

Comparison is a distraction from our inner creativity.⁣

Never compare yourself to anyone, everyone’s life is different, difficulties are different, the path is different.

Political tyranny is nothing compared to the social tyranny and a reformer who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who defies Government.

Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.

Comparison will only hinder your progress.