An artist has to train his responses more than other people do. He has to be as disciplined as a mathematician. Discipline is not a restriction but an aid to freedom. It prepares an artist to choose his own limitations.
Wayne ThiebaudRead
My subject matter was a genuine sort of experience that came out of my life, particularly the American world in which I was privileged to be . . . . I would really think of the bakery counters, of the way the counter was lit, where the pies were placed, but I wanted just a piece of the experience. From when I worked in restaurants . . . [it was] always poetic to me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects an artist's desire to capture genuine experiences from life, particularly through the lens of everyday American moments.
Wayne Thiebaud emphasizes the importance of drawing inspiration from personal experiences and the beauty found in mundane realities. He speaks to the significance of elements often overlooked, such as the lighting of a bakery counter and the arrangement of pies, illustrating that there is poetry in the commonplace that can be transformed into art.
Themes
ArtExperiencePoetryBakeryAmerican Culture
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in an art class to inspire students to find beauty in their personal experiences.
More from Wayne Thiebaud
All quotes →Every paint-stroke takes you farther and farther away from your initial concept. And you have to be thankful for that.
Wayne ThiebaudRead
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