'If you leave your art, the world will beat you back to it. The world has not an ambition worth sharing, or a prize worth handling. Corrupt successes, disgraceful failures, or sheeplike vegetation are all it has to offer. I prefer Art, which gives me a sixth sense of beauty, with self-respect: perhaps also an immortal reputation in return for honest endeavour in a labour of love.'

'All very fine, Mary; but my old-fashioned common sense is better than your clever modern nonsense.'

'Perhaps woman's art is of woman's life a thing apart, 'tis man's whole existence; just as love is said to be the reverse - though it isn't.'

'There are some men who are considered quite ugly, but who are more remarkable than pretty people. You often see that in artists.'

Truth is, I've always been selling out. The difference is that in the past, I looked like I had integrity because there were no buyers.

I put my pants on just like the rest of you - one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on, I make gold records.

Carry on any enterprise as if all future success depends on it.