(David Milne, from the catalogue `David Milne', edited by Ian M. Thom, Douglas & McIntyre, l991, Vancouver)


During the course of a conversation, a lady that had some of my pictures in her gallery, asked a rather blunt question in reference to my lack of sales. "How do you get by?" I replied, "I match my wants with my needs" (an expression used often by a friend).

But when it comes to art supplies and frames I am never stingy. An artist can't afford to skimp on paint, or worry about ruining a piece of canvas.

I think many artists are frugal, some out of economic constraints, and others because they find possessions an emotional drain. One can spend much precious time looking after, and worrying about them.




"I have always sought to be understood, and when my words were garbled, by critics and colleagues, I considered it no fault of theirs but my own, because I had not been clear enough to be comprehended. This attitude has enabled me to work all my life without feeling hatred, or even bitterness toward criticism, from whatever source it came, as I relied solely upon clarity of expression in my works to achieve my end. Hatred, rancor, and a vengeful disposition are burdens which the artist cannot load upon himself. His path is so difficult that he must rid his spirit of all that could weight upon it" (65)

Henri Matisse, "Testimonial", 1952




65. Herschel B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art, (Berkeley and L.A. Cal., University of California Press, 1974)p.143