I paint things as they are. I don't comment. I record.
Henri De Toulouse-LautrecRead
[People] want me to finish things. But I see them in such a way and paint them accordingly. ... Nothing is simpler than to complete pictures in a superficial sense. Never does one lie so cleverly as then.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of genuine expression in art over mere completion.
Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec reflects on the nature of artistic creation, suggesting that while many may push for the completion of artworks, true artistry lies in the deeper interpretation and expression of the subject. He warns against superficiality, indicating that completing a piece simply for the sake of finishing it can lead to dishonesty in art, as it may not capture the true essence of what the artist perceives.
In practice
In a lecture about artistic integrity, one might quote Toulouse-Lautrec to stress the importance of depth in art.
So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask, 'Do you want to write? Do you want to improvise? Why do you want to play this instrument? What do you want to do?'
My voice is unadorned. I don't try for perfection. I try to be honest and truthful and soulful with the voice I have. If I make mistakes in notes, or there are cracks in notes, I don't fix them. That's the way it is.
The sound and music are 50% of the entertainment in a movie.
I paint people, not because of what they are like, not exactly in spite of what they are like, but how they happen to be.
My music has been a sort of personal therapy. It's got me out of tough times, it has been the friend that I needed, when I didn't have a friend there.
The actual world, not some fantastic structure that has nothing to do with reality, must provide the material for modern poetry.
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