--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An artist is nothing without his or her…" description: "\"An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions, and I have mine.\" — Andres Serrano" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg" --- # An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions, and I… ![“An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions, and I have mine.” quote by Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg) > “An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions, and I have mine.” [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists rely on obsessions to drive creation; his own obsession fuels his work. **In simple terms:** Artists need obsessions to create. Key Takeaway Identify and nurture your creative obsession. Themes creativity obsession identity Mood introspective inspired Type artistical motivational When to use this quote - painting - photography - performance art Key Concepts artistic drive self‑expression Questions to Reflect On - What fuels your creative drive? - How do you balance obsession with wellbeing? A Different Perspective Obsessions may become unhealthy if unbalanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artist Obsessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist-obsessions-4221851/) [Obsessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessions/) ## Related quotes > [An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her-obsessions/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [In my work, I explore my own Catholic obsessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/in-my-work-i-explore-my-own-catholic-obsessions/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [“For careers you say you went to be remembered for your art Your obsessions get you known throughout the school for being strange Making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belle-sebastian/for-careers-you-say-you-went-to-be-remembered-for-your-art-your/) [Belle & Sebastian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belle-sebastian/) > [“The writer’s obsessions are twofold. First, communicate their thoughts onto paper with a great degree of precision in order accurately to express everything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/the-writer-s-obsessions-are-twofold-first-communicate-their-thoughts/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [I'm not a computer guy. I'm like an anthropologist. I'm fascinated with people's obsessions. I've learned to wear them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/i-m-not-a-computer-guy-i-m-like-an-anthropologist-i-m-fascinated-with/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [“Soon enough, we are all going to leave this earth for good. The thought of this alone should make us love deeply, and live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/soon-enough-we-are-all-going-to-leave-this-earth-for-good-the-thought/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [People never cease to project on to God their individual and collective obsessions, so that they can appropriate and make use of him. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-clement/people-never-cease-to-project-on-to-god-their-individual-and/) [Olivier Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-clement/) > [“How much of our lives is spent in reverie, in wishing for what cannot be, in regretting what might have been avoided. These obsessions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-k-reynolds/how-much-of-our-lives-is-spent-in-reverie-in-wishing-for-what-cannot/) [David K. Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-k-reynolds/) > [“Finally, Luther, Bunyan, and Thérèse all developed mature religious philosophies that differed from those of their communities because (from a psychiatric standpoint) each needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-osborn/finally-luther-bunyan-and-th-r-se-all-developed-mature-religious/) [Ian Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-osborn/) > [“Peeves are like that: my peeves are law, yours are unhealthy obsessions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lane-greene/peeves-are-like-that-my-peeves-are-law-yours-are-unhealthy-obsessions/) [Robert Lane Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lane-greene/) > [One of my pet peeves, one of my obsessions, is litter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-wax/one-of-my-pet-peeves-one-of-my-obsessions-is-litter/) [Amy Wax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-wax/) > [Love is an obsession. It has that quality to it. But there are healthy obsessions, and mine is one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-stephenson/love-is-an-obsession-it-has-that-quality-to-it-but-there-are-healthy/) [Pamela Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-stephenson/) > [A people represents not so much an aggregate of ideas and theories as of obsessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/a-people-represents-not-so-much-an-aggregate-of-ideas-and-theories-as/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More by Andres Serrano > [People have to find ways of explaining the work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/people-have-to-find-ways-of-explaining-the-work/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [One of the things that I am happy about in my life as an artist is that I am not considered a Hispanic artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/one-of-the-things-that-i-am-happy-about-in-my-life-as-an-artist-is/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [Whenever possible, I operate outside the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/whenever-possible-i-operate-outside-the-system/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [Some people have compared the Klan images to ecclesiastical figures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/some-people-have-compared-the-klan-images-to-ecclesiastical-figures/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [Unfortunately, the Church's position on most contemporary issues makes it hard to take them seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/unfortunately-the-church-s-position-on-most-contemporary-issues-makes/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [There's nothing wrong with provocative art work: I even look forward to the day when I can take pictures which will disturb even me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/there-s-nothing-wrong-with-provocative-art-work-i-even-look-forward/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [I am an artist first and a photographer second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/i-am-an-artist-first-and-a-photographer-second/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [I don't really think I am interested in the macabre, but I am curious about death. That's normal... The only certainty in life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/i-don-t-really-think-i-am-interested-in-the-macabre-but-i-am-curious/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [Artists are a free society's greatest advocates and its best bulwarks. Their triumphs are civilization's triumphs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/artists-are-a-free-society-s-greatest-advocates-and-its-best-bulwarks/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [I have always felt that my work is religious, not sacrilegious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/i-have-always-felt-that-my-work-is-religious-not-sacrilegious/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [Oftentimes we love the thing we hate and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/oftentimes-we-love-the-thing-we-hate-and-vice-versa/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [I think if the Vatican is smart, someday they'll collect my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/i-think-if-the-vatican-is-smart-someday-they-ll-collect-my-work/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [I have always felt that my work is religious, not sacrilegious. I would say that there are many individuals in the Church who appreciate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/i-have-always-felt-that-my-work-is-religious-not-sacrilegious-i-would/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [Being born, especially being born a person of color, is a political act in itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/being-born-especially-being-born-a-person-of-color-is-a-political-act/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) > [An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her-obsessions/) [Andres Serrano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) [Explore all 33 Andres Serrano quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions, and I have mine.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andres Serrano" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her-obsessions-and-i-have-mine/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her-obsessions-and-i-have-mine/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/andres-serrano-19100_art_an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her_1293453.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“An artist is nothing without his or her obsessions, and I have mine.” — Andres Serrano", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Andres Serrano", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andres-serrano/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "An artist is nothing without his...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her-obsessions-and-i-have-mine/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andres-serrano/an-artist-is-nothing-without-his-or-her-obsessions-and-i-have-mine/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```