Instinct must be thwarted just as one prunes the branches of a tree so that it will grow better.

Quote by Henri Matisse

Topics: Instinct Quotes

There is no interruption between my older paintings and my cutouts. Just that with an...

There is no interruption between my older paintings and my cutouts. Just that with an...

A picture must possess a real power to generate light [and] for a long time...

A picture must possess a real power to generate light [and] for a long time...

I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth...

I would like to recapture that freshness of vision which is characteristic of extreme youth...

I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a...

I have always tried to hide my efforts and wished my works to have a...

Cutting into color reminds me of the sculptor's direct carving.

Cutting into color reminds me of the sculptor's direct carving.

An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that...

An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that...

All that I really have to recount are observations and notes made during the course...

All that I really have to recount are observations and notes made during the course...

It is only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color -...

It is only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color -...

I do not literally paint that table, but the emotion it produces upon me.

I do not literally paint that table, but the emotion it produces upon me.

When I saw what a mess everything was in I asked for my money back...

When I saw what a mess everything was in I asked for my money back...

Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds...

Derive happiness in oneself from a good day's work, from illuminating the fog that surrounds...

It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else.

It has bothered me all my life that I do not paint like everybody else.

You study, you learn, but you guard the original naivete. It has to be within...

You study, you learn, but you guard the original naivete. It has to be within...

With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.

With color one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft.

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,...

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose,...

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of...

What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of...

The best way to kill time is to work it to death

The best way to kill time is to work it to death

My curves are not crazy.

My curves are not crazy.

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.

I don't paint things. I only paint the difference between things.

Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do.

Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do.