The world is wide; no two days are alike, nor even two hours; neither were there ever two leaves of a tree alike since the creation of the world. - John Constable

My art flatters nobody by imitation, it courts nobody by smoothness, nobody by petitelieness without either fal-de-lal or fiddle-de-dee; how then can I hope to be popular?

I am most anxious to get into my London painting-room, for I do not consider myself at work unless I am before a six-foot canvas. I have done a good deal of skying for I am determined to conquer all difficulties, and that among the rest.

It is always my endeavour however in making a picture that it should be without a companion in the world. At least such should be a painters ambition.