"Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think."
"There has never been a painting that was more beautiful than nature. The model does not unfold herself to you, you must rise to her. She should be the inspiration for your painting. No man has ever over-appreciated a human being."
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Source: Robert Henri (2007). “The Art Spirit”, p.242, Basic Books
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"Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away."
"When the artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible."
"Paint the flying spirit of the bird rather than its feathers."
"The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable."
"The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to think it through. You have to make up your mind to be alone in many ways. We like sympathy and we like to be in company. It is easier than going it alone. But alone one gets acquainted with himself, grows up and on, not stopping with the crowd. It costs to do this. If you succeed somewhat you may have to pay for it as well as enjoy it all your life."