John Sloan

"The idea of taking up art as a calling, a profession, is a mirage. Art enriches life. It makes life worth living. But to make a living at it—that idea is incompatible with making art."

"..the one artist on this continent who is in the class of the old masters."

"It takes a great deal of strong personality to survive the art school training. Hard nuts that the art schools can't crack and devour get through and become artists."

"I have nothing to teach you that will help you to make a living."

"I'm not flirting, playing around. I'm serious about it.. .If you don't want to be serious about playing , do something of no account. Go into banking. Buy collar buttons at five cents a dozen and sell…"

"Then there is this idea that the world owes you a living. Here is a little thought about that. It isn't particularly logical but it makes my point. You were paid when you were born, with the privilege…"

"..night vigils at the back window."

"People who take things too literally don't get much of anything from my teaching. By never saying anything I mean, I say a great deal. I never mean anything I say under oath. I never mean exactly what…"