--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being an artist doesn’t take much, just…" description: "\"Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you clo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7da/hubert-selby-jr-12027_abandon_being-an-artist-doesn-t-take-much-just-e_1072929.png" --- # Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you… ![“Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it’s no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this…” quote by Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7da/hubert-selby-jr-12027_abandon_being-an-artist-doesn-t-take-much-just-e_1072929.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7da/hubert-selby-jr-12027_abandon_being-an-artist-doesn-t-take-much-just-e_1072929.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7da/hubert-selby-jr-12027_abandon_being-an-artist-doesn-t-take-much-just-e_1072929.png) > “Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it’s no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it, I transcend all this meaningless gibberish and hang out with the gods. It seems to me that that is worth the price of admission.” [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art demands total commitment, merging life and death; surrendering to this process leads to transcendence and a sense of divine connection. **In simple terms:** Art is a life‑death dance; giving all brings higher insight. Key Takeaway Give everything to your art. Themes commitment life‑death transcendence Mood intense reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - painting - writing - performance - personal crisis Key Concepts total immersion spirituality creative sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - What does “death” mean in creative work? - Is total surrender sustainable? A Different Perspective The view may romanticize suffering, ignoring practical limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon/) [Admission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admission/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artistry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artistry/) [Avoided](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avoided/) [Being an artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-an-artist/) [Big deal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big-deal/) [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Deals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deals/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Death Abandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death-abandon-2682512/) [Denied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denied/) [Embrace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace/) [Embrace Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embrace-process-1136480/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hanging out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hanging-out/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life / death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-death-2/) [Life Bringing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-bringing-1381267/) [Life Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-death/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Meaningless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningless/) [Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/price/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Process Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process-life-863663/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [This life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-life/) [Transcendence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transcendence/) [Transcending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/transcending/) ## Related quotes > [“Being an artist doesn't take much. Just everything you got. Which means of course that as the process is giving you life, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr-2/being-an-artist-doesn-t-take-much-just-everything-you-got-which-means-2/) [Hubert Selby Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr-2/) > [Every dream has a process and a price tag. Those who embrace the process and pay the price, live the dream. Those who don't,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-riddle/every-dream-has-a-process-and-a-price-tag-those-who-embrace-the-2/) [Jeremy Riddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-riddle/) > [If you are finding that you can stop thought longer and longer, I would say your life is bringing power into your being. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-are-finding-that-you-can-stop-thought-longer-and-longer-i/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [life is always bringing unexpected gifts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/may-sarton/life-is-always-bringing-unexpected-gifts/) [May Sarton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/may-sarton/) > [“Don't underestimate the power of your daily agenda. Every choice you make, every step you take, is shaping your path to success. Embrace the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ahmed-zakaria-mami/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-your-daily-agenda-every-choice-you/) [Ahmed Zakaria Mami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ahmed-zakaria-mami/) > [As you embrace the process-oriented approach described in The Practicing Mind, you'll achieve better results in any endeavor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-gelb/as-you-embrace-the-process-oriented-approach-described-in-the/) [Michael J. Gelb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-gelb/) > [Life is bringing me everything I need and MORE!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/life-is-bringing-me-everything-i-need-and-more/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [Life will keep bringing you the same test, over & over again, til you pass it...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-joesph/life-will-keep-bringing-you-the-same-test-over-over-again-til-you/) [Jesse Joesph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-joesph/) > [“Only when we begin to let what we believe affect what we do are we able to embrace the process of formation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-ashcraft/only-when-we-begin-to-let-what-we-believe-affect-what-we-do-are-we/) [Mike Ashcraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-ashcraft/) > [“On this upward and sometimes hazardous journey, each of us meets our share of daily challenges. If we are not careful, as we peer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/on-this-upward-and-sometimes-hazardous-journey-each-of-us-meets-our/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“when you embrace the process of your work, instead of focusing on the results, you’ll always be happier, plus do a much better job.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/when-you-embrace-the-process-of-your-work-instead-of-focusing-on-the/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Funny how Destiny play its part in your life, bringing two hearts together despite the distance...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce/funny-how-destiny-play-its-part-in-your-life-bringing-two-hearts/) [Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce/) > [“I am grateful for all the goodness in my life. I think life for bringing me so much joy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-leigh-mercree/i-am-grateful-for-all-the-goodness-in-my-life-i-think-life-for/) [Amy Leigh Mercree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-leigh-mercree/) > [Every dream has a process and a price tag. Those who embrace the process and pay the price, live the dream. Those who dont,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-dream-has-a-process-and-a-price-tag-those-who-embrace-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My big philosophy is: Try and work with good people, because the process is your life. That's going to be really, really hard. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-fox/my-big-philosophy-is-try-and-work-with-good-people-because-the/) [Dana Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-fox/) ## More by Hubert Selby, Jr > [Sometimes we have the absolute certainty there's something inside us that's so hideous and monstrous that if we ever search it out we won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-we-have-the-absolute-certainty-there-s-something-inside-us/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [But to believe that getting stuff is the purpose and aim of life is madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/but-to-believe-that-getting-stuff-is-the-purpose-and-aim-of-life-is/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I'm focusing on writing the best story I can write. Which means I'm doing everything I can to give the artist within me as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-m-focusing-on-writing-the-best-story-i-can-write-which-means-i-m/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I certainly do attempt to live according to spiritual principles. That's always the foundation of each and every day. I have experienced some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-certainly-do-attempt-to-live-according-to-spiritual-principles-that/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Sometimes it seems to stand still. Like you’re in a bag and you can’t get out and somebody’s always telling you that it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/sometimes-it-seems-to-stand-still-like-you-re-in-a-bag-and-you-can-t/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [There's a sorrow and pain in everyone's life, but every now and then there's a ray of light that melts the loneliness in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/there-s-a-sorrow-and-pain-in-everyone-s-life-but-every-now-and-then/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [The resistance and the degree of the resistance to the natural phenomenon of life causes tremendous suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/the-resistance-and-the-degree-of-the-resistance-to-the-natural/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [We all need a meaning to our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/we-all-need-a-meaning-to-our-life/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I've always felt alienated. I realized that I've been terrified my entire life. So I can identify that fear which drives so many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-ve-always-felt-alienated-i-realized-that-i-ve-been-terrified-my/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I have to have a meaning in my life. If I roam around without some meaning in my life, I'm in deep and serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-have-to-have-a-meaning-in-my-life-if-i-roam-around-without-some/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [It seems to me that what the artist sees is the simple and obvious that is invisible to everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/it-seems-to-me-that-what-the-artist-sees-is-the-simple-and-obvious/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [I don't know how to make the critics happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/i-don-t-know-how-to-make-the-critics-happy/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [Obviously, I believe that to pursue the American Dream is not only futile but self-destructive because ultimately it destroys everything and everyone involved with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/obviously-i-believe-that-to-pursue-the-american-dream-is-not-only/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [My writing is inspired by just about everything, yet I am unaware of so much of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/my-writing-is-inspired-by-just-about-everything-yet-i-am-unaware-of/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) > [thats why you cant be worried about the world. theyll just do you in anyway. you can't depend on them because sooner or later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-selby-jr/thats-why-you-cant-be-worried-about-the-world-theyll-just-do-you-in/) [Hubert Selby, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) [Explore all 56 Hubert Selby, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-selby-jr/) ## More Abandon quotes > [Humans are, as Sartre put it, 'condemned to be free'. To insist that science, or God, objectively defines moral values is to abandon our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenan-malik/humans-are-as-sartre-put-it-condemned-to-be-free-to-insist-that/) [Kenan Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenan-malik/) > [The purpose of a spirit filled life is to demonstrate the supernatural power of our living God so that the unsaved multitudes will abandon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-l-osborn/the-purpose-of-a-spirit-filled-life-is-to-demonstrate-the/) [T.L. Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-l-osborn/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [I would leave at once, but it would be cruel to abandon a lady in a foreign land with a maniac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-would-leave-at-once-but-it-would-be-cruel-to-abandon-a-lady-in-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [When we fall utterly, something gathers us up. But our falling must be without reservation, without expectation, without hope, though not hopeless. You cant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-housden/when-we-fall-utterly-something-gathers-us-up-but-our-falling-must-be/) [Roger Housden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-housden/) > [every subjective phenomenon is essentially connected with a single point of view, and it seems inevitable that an objective, physical theory will abandon that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-nagel/every-subjective-phenomenon-is-essentially-connected-with-a-single/) [Thomas Nagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-nagel/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Every great thing starts with an idea, followed by a doubt and finally a resolve to abandon or pursue. Victory is a treacherous journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dane-cook/every-great-thing-starts-with-an-idea-followed-by-a-doubt-and-finally/) [Dane Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dane-cook/) > [Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/those-who-have-been-once-intoxicated-with-power-and-have-derived-any/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Do not lose hope; St. Joseph also experienced moments of difficulty, but he never lost faith and was able to overcome them, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/do-not-lose-hope-st-joseph-also-experienced-moments-of-difficulty-but/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [It is a dangerous and fateful presumption, besides the absurd temerity that it implies, to disdain what we do not comprehend. For after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-a-dangerous-and-fateful-presumption-besides-the-absurd-temerity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don't give up because things are hard, but work harder, when you think of giving up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/don-t-give-up-because-things-are-hard-but-work-harder-when-you-think/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Sex is not the ultimate high, but the ultimate high hangs out around sex. The ultimate high is the dance with another person, played…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/sex-is-not-the-ultimate-high-but-the-ultimate-high-hangs-out-around/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [I care so deeply about this matter that I'm willing to take on the legal penalties, to sit in this prison cell, to sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-care-so-deeply-about-this-matter-that-i-m-willing-to-take-on-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) [Browse all 1,142 Abandon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being an artist doesn’t take much, just everything you got. Which means, of course, that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it’s no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it, I transcend all this meaningless gibberish and hang out with the gods. 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