I remember Francis Bacon would say that he felt he was giving art what he thought it previously lacked. With me, it's what Yeats called the fascination with what's difficult. I'm only trying to do what I can't do.
I am only interested in painting the actual person, in doing a painting of them, not in using them to some ulterior end of art. For me, to use someone doing something not native to them would be wrong.
Full, saturated colours have an emotional significance I want to avoid.
The painter must give a completely free rein to any feeling or sensations he may have and reject nothing to which he is naturally drawn.
I would wish my portraits to be of the people, not like them. Not having a look of the sitter, being them.
You ask why I'm fascinated by the human figure? As a human animal, I am interested in some of my fellow animals: in their minds and bodies.
