Artist's Goal Quotes

I don't believe that artists really are interested in money. That's not the motivation for art.

An artist conscientiously moves in a direction which for some good reason he takes, putting one work in front of the other with the hope he'll arrive before death overtakes him.

I think you always, as an artist, feel like you would like to be more and more specific about your intent and your interests.

I just want to give the people 100% of myself as an artist.

I'd like to think that what I've written over the years and what I'm doing now means something to people. People in the street all the time are saying "love the new record" or "I love that record," this tune or that tune. It means an awful lot, or it's been a big part of their lives. As a songwriter, what else would you really want? You're trying to connect with people, people's emotions, and maybe say something about their lives or feelings. That's probably a good enough compliment to receive, really.

I think artists are driven by the engine of their own talent, but it's a question of what use they put it to.

That’s why I make music. When I listen to my favorite music made by other people, that’s what it does to me. So as a musician, I’m just trying to do the same thing with music I make. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But when someone comes to me and says the music I’ve made has affected them emotionally, that’s the most gratifying part of my job.

You don't want to make records so you can win a Grammy. You make records because you want to be a musician.

Maybe one day I'll make a record that's really mysterious and no one knows where it came from or what I wrote it about. But thus far, I've just wanted to explain everything properly.

The great thing about being an artist is, we want our work to be seen.

That's what as an artist you always try to do. To try to be a sharper mind than the average person.

I want to communicate. I do; every artist does. That's why you're an artist.

If people respond to the songs, whether they love you or hate you, then you've really done your job. You've evoked something.

I'm not running after glamorous roles, honestly. I'm a performer and want to perform instead of standing like a mannequin wearing a lot of makeup.

Personally, I never believe an artist saying "I do it for myself" is saying the truth, because why would you go through the trouble of making something that goes out into the world if you didn't care about somebody else seeing it? It's like the difference between those who choose "more comfortably termed entertainment" versus what people think of as the "art life," which is supposedly more monastic or spiritual. I don't believe in those distinctions.

Every album, I make big records. I'm going to always make an anthem. That's what I do.

So that’s what art is, for the artist,” said Crake. “An empty drainpipe. An amplifier. A stab at getting laid.

It's really hard to do, but I think it's an important thing for, no matter what type of artist you are, to trust that the reason why you are given the love of being artistic is just to make you happy - it's not to make you rich and famous.

If I can contribute to people having fun, I would feel very fulfilled as an artist.