Jeff Koons Quotes

I've always felt that there's a point where a piece seems to be alive, that is, living. And that's the point where I know the composition is finished.

One does not set out with the idea that I've just had a great idea and now I'm going to go and carry it out. Almost all art that's made like that doesn't go anywhere.

So many of my paintings, people would be like, 'What more do you have to do?' But the smallest little things make all of the difference.

Cover the canvas at the first go, then work at it until you see nothing more to add.

To finish a work? To finish a picture? What nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of its soul, to give it its final blow the coup de grace for the painter as well as for the picture.

Every movie has its uniqueness. You just do your best and go with it.

I write a lot of songs people don't hear. I really just enjoy the process. I finish 'em all. I don't think there's a whole lot of difference between the bad ones and the good ones.

I want to die painting.

No one was creating and I always wanted to be created on.

I wanted to be complete, because I figured that, visually, there was an avenue to explore with painted stuff.

Work can take on a new dimension if you know something about the artist.

I just want my work to be part of the elemental world.

I think the act of condensing months or years of work down to a couple hours of entertainment is pretty wild and extremely rewarding.

In truth, I have always been amazed by a group of people who all work toward putting one person's vision forward - that's an interesting story for me.

I have absorbed my life now. I am ready for my music to unfold. I know time flies, but before the end of this year, the album will be out. Even if it kills me.

A collection is not just one basic idea. It comes from something that is in the air, something you suddenly like and put down on paper and then work out.

When I write a book... it's the same essential approach to music as with books. It has to be something I want to hear or read. Hopefully the audience comes along, since that's the only way you can write righteously. I have to ask, 'What do I want to hear?' not 'What do people want to hear?'

To finish a song is the best feeling in the world.

It's absurd to talk about paintings that you haven't finished.

The only way for me to be an artist is to be honest in my craft. If I veer from that, I'm not giving the investors what they want. Sometimes it's my job as an artist to know what I want to do, even when the fans tell me different.

I can't express how wonderful it is to get feedback when you've been sort of in a bubble working on something and then you release it to the world and hope for the best. It's like the birth of a musical baby.

It's just a lot of fun to be able to see your ideas come into fruition. And to see people translate the things that come out of my mind vocally. And to be able to produce vocals and give people my point of view musically. And to be able to sit in the crowd and see people sing the song that I wrote, it's an amazing feeling.

These rough sketches, which are born in an instant in the heat of inspiration, express the idea of their author in a few strokes, while on the other hand too much effort and diligence sometimes saps the vitality and powers of those who never know when to leave off.

Books and movies are never finished, only surrendered.

It's impossible to control the reception of your work - the only thing you can control is the experience of writing itself, and the work you create.