Those who work in a preconceived style, deliberately turning their backs on nature, miss the truth. An artist must recognize, when he is reasoning, that his picture is an artifice; but when he is painting, he should feel that he…

Quote by Henri Matisse

Topics: Art Quotes, Nature Quotes, Painting Quotes

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.

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

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

In the beginning you must subject yourself to the influence of nature. You must be...

In the beginning you must subject yourself to the influence of nature. You must be...

Jazz is rhythm and meaning.

Jazz is rhythm and meaning.

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...

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...

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'm growing old, I delight in the past.

I'm growing old, I delight in the past.

I wouldn't mind turning into a vermilion goldfish.

I wouldn't mind turning into a vermilion goldfish.

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 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...

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...

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.

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

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

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some...

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. I think, really, I'm some...

A young woman has young claws, well sharpened. If she has character, that is. And...

A young woman has young claws, well sharpened. If she has character, that is. And...

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

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

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 -...

With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of deeds,...

With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of deeds,...

A great artist is always before his time or behind it.

A great artist is always before his time or behind it.

And among His Signs Is the creation of the heavens And the earth, and the...

And among His Signs Is the creation of the heavens And the earth, and the...