“There comes a point when the paint doesn't feel like paint. I don't know why. Some mysterious thing happens. I think you have all experienced it... What counts is that the paint should really disappear, otherwise it's craft.” ThinkingKnowsFeelsShouldHappensPaintDisappearThings HappenMysteriousCraftsMysterious Things Author:Philip Guston
“That's what I mean by something grips in a canvas. The moment that happens you are then sucked into the whole thing. Like some kind of rhythm.” KindMeanWholeMomentsHappensRhythmCanvas Author:Philip Guston
“What is seen and called the picture is what remains - an evidence. Even as one travels in painting toward a state of 'unfreedom' where only certain things can happen, unaccountably the unknown and free must appear.” StatesHappensCertainPaintingEvidenceRemains Book:Philip Guston: Collected Writings, Lectures, and Conversations Source: Philip Guston: Collected Writings, Lectures, and Conversations
“No good to paint in the head - what happens is what happens when you put the paint down - you can only hope that you are alert - ready - to see. What joy it is for paint to become a thing - a being. Believe in this miracle - it is your only hope. To will this transformation is not possible. Only a slow maturation can prepare the hand and eye to become quicker than ever. Ideas about art don't matter. They collapse anyway in front of the painting.” BelieveArtIdeasMatterHandsHappensEyeJoyFrontsPaintingReadyMiracleTransformationPaintCollapse Author:Philip Guston
