I am unable to make any distinction between the feeling I get from life and the way I translate that feeling into painting. - Henri Matisse

I am unable to distinguish between the feeling I have for life and my way of expressing it.

There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.

We are born with the sensibility of a period of civilization. We are not masters of our production; it is imposed upon us.

I didn't expect to recover from my second operation but since I did, I consider that I'm living on borrowed time. Every day that dawns is a gift to me and I take it in that way. I accept it gratefully without looking beyond it. I completely forget my physical suffering and all the unpleasantness of my present condition and I think only of the joy of seeing the sun rise once more and of being able to work a little bit, even under difficult conditions.