The moment you cheat for the sake of beauty, you know you're an artist.

The moment you cheat for the sake of beauty, you know you're an artist.

You know... that a blank wall is an apalling thing to look at. The wall of a museum - a read more

You know... that a blank wall is an apalling thing to look at. The wall of a museum - a canvas - a piece of film - or a guy sitting in front of a typewriter. Then, you start out to do something - that vague thing called creation. The beginning strikes awe within you.

Art is an absolute mistress; she will not be coquetted with or slighted; she requires the most entire self-devotion, and read more

Art is an absolute mistress; she will not be coquetted with or slighted; she requires the most entire self-devotion, and she repays with grand triumphs.

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.

The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.

Art distills sensations and embodies it with enhanced meaning.

Art distills sensations and embodies it with enhanced meaning.

The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so read more

The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life.

Each of the arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of read more

Each of the arts whose office is to refine, purify, adorn, embellish and grace life is under the patronage of a muse, no god being found worthy to preside over them.

Of all the arts in which the wise excel, nature's chief masterpiece is writing well.

Of all the arts in which the wise excel, nature's chief masterpiece is writing well.