"I’ve lived on my own since I was 13 and not been to school and brought a son up who’s now 18 and run theatre companies and bought a butcher’s shop, learnt guitar by myself, taught myself to sing and that sort of stuff."

“You’re very vulnerable when you’re naked. The psychology is a bit weird. It’s all in the eyes between the two people so you’ve got to be confident. You’ve really got to pretend you are enjoying it. I tended to have lots of conversations with lonely old men and to meet lots of nutters as well. I have incredible tolerance for darkness. I can take on board quite a lot of damaged people, but it takes its toll psychologically.”

“I wanted my work to be seen for free in a public space, I want to be up there with Pollock and de Kooning, one of the big boys.”

“Ingels: Even in the most horrendous situations there is always something to smile about.”

“Whitear painting controversy, The Guardian 16 March 2004”

“I identify with people like Diana who just want to be loved by everybody. If somebody doesn’t like me I find that very upsetting.”

“Books are my one luxury.”