Love isn't an emotion or an instinct--it's an art.

Love isn't an emotion or an instinct--it's an art.

We have learned to whittle the Eden Tree to the shape of a
surplice peg,
We have learned read more

We have learned to whittle the Eden Tree to the shape of a
surplice peg,
We have learned to bottle our parent twain in the yelk of an
addled egg.
We know that the tail must wag the dog, for the horse is drawn by
the cart,
But the devil never whoops, as he of old; It's clever, but is it
art?

The perfection of an art consists in the employment of a
comprehensive system of laws, commensurate to every purpose read more

The perfection of an art consists in the employment of a
comprehensive system of laws, commensurate to every purpose
within its scope, but concealed from the eye of the spectator;
and in the production of effects that seem to flow forth
spontaneously, as though uncontrolled by their influence, and
which are equally excellent, whether regarded individually, or in
reference to the proposed result.

Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.

Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.

If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.

If you could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own
nature into his pictures.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own
nature into his pictures.

Beauty in art is often nothing but ugliness subdued.

Beauty in art is often nothing but ugliness subdued.

Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed.

Art is a step from what is obvious and well-known toward what is arcane and concealed.

Art is what's left over after you've defined everything else

Art is what's left over after you've defined everything else