--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I decided that what I really wanted to do…" description: "\"I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and paint.\" — Jim Henson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg" --- # I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and… ![“I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and paint.” quote by Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg) > “I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and paint.” [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker realized his true desire was to pursue painting, prioritizing personal passion over other options. **In simple terms:** He chose to follow his artistic passion. Key Takeaway Follow your inner calling. Themes creativity self‑discovery career choices Mood reflective inspired Type motivational personal. When to use this quote - career transition - hobby development - creative projects - life‑changing decisions Key Concepts artistic expression personal fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What passion have you been ignoring? - How can you balance practical needs with creative urges? A Different Perspective Choosing a new path can bring financial instability and external criticism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) ## Related quotes > [I discovered what is and isn't important to me. I decided I really wanted to enjoy life with someone fun, who can make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-morrison/i-discovered-what-is-and-isn-t-important-to-me-i-decided-i-really/) [Jennifer Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-morrison/) > [I suppose all along all I ever really wanted to do was paint people. That never changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chantal-joffe/i-suppose-all-along-all-i-ever-really-wanted-to-do-was-paint-people/) [Chantal Joffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chantal-joffe/) > [I've met a lot of artists who wanted to paint me. LeRoy Neiman was one. He did it from a photograph. He made 20,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-ve-met-a-lot-of-artists-who-wanted-to-paint-me-leroy-neiman-was-one/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I decided that what I really wanted to do was to make my writing in history deeper, if that's the right word to use.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gay/i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-do-was-to-make-my-writing-in/) [Peter Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gay/) > [I've decided I can't really control people's perceptions of me. All I can do is decide on what I work on and how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-franco/i-ve-decided-i-can-t-really-control-people-s-perceptions-of-me-all-i/) [James Franco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-franco/) > [I realized and decided that I really wanted to travel and explore the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankit-tiwari/i-realized-and-decided-that-i-really-wanted-to-travel-and-explore-the/) [Ankit Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankit-tiwari/) > [Maybe I am not very human - what I wanted to do was to paint sunlight on the side of a house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hopper/maybe-i-am-not-very-human-what-i-wanted-to-do-was-to-paint-sunlight/) [Edward Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hopper/) > [“He wanted the world to be the color of his dreams, wanted to paint in primary colors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-bauer/he-wanted-the-world-to-be-the-color-of-his-dreams-wanted-to-paint-in/) [Tal Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-bauer/) > [“I wanted to paint a picture, in indelible print, across the canvass of my heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suman-pokhrel/i-wanted-to-paint-a-picture-in-indelible-print-across-the-canvass-of/) [Suman Pokhrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suman-pokhrel/) > [Before becoming an actor I kind of just wanted to paint and live somewhere and do something low-key and artistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-reedus/before-becoming-an-actor-i-kind-of-just-wanted-to-paint-and-live/) [Norman Reedus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-reedus/) > [I just wanted to paint and sketch and tell stories by drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/i-just-wanted-to-paint-and-sketch-and-tell-stories-by-drawing/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [Black ink was always my favorite. I loved it. And then one day I realized that the only thing I ever wanted to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-soulages/black-ink-was-always-my-favorite-i-loved-it-and-then-one-day-i/) [Pierre Soulages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-soulages/) > [I wanted to paint a picture some day that people would stand before and forget that it was made of paint. I wanted it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/o-henry/i-wanted-to-paint-a-picture-some-day-that-people-would-stand-before/) [O. Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/o-henry/) > [I cannot say why I wanted to paint.The only answer is in the pictures themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oskar-kokoschka/i-cannot-say-why-i-wanted-to-paint-the-only-answer-is-in-the-pictures/) [Oskar Kokoschka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oskar-kokoschka/) > [What I wanted to do was to paint sunlight on the side of a house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hopper/what-i-wanted-to-do-was-to-paint-sunlight-on-the-side-of-a-house/) [Edward Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hopper/) ## More by Jim Henson > [I believe that life is basically a process of growth-that we go through many lives, choosing those situations and problems that we will learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-believe-that-life-is-basically-a-process-of-growth-that-we-go/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [It has always been difficult to get Big Bird to be very pretty. Big Bird in England is much more gorgeous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/it-has-always-been-difficult-to-get-big-bird-to-be-very-pretty-big/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [Cara: \*Flies\* Gen: What? I don't have wings! Cara: Ofcourse not! You're a boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/cara-flies-gen-what-i-don-t-have-wings-cara-ofcourse-not-you-re-a-boy/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [I don't want'a die... I have other plans!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-don-t-want-a-die-i-have-other-plans/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [When The Muppet Show ended, we all sat around and said, what kind of television show would we like to do. We felt the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/when-the-muppet-show-ended-we-all-sat-around-and-said-what-kind-of/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [Take what you got and fly with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/take-what-you-got-and-fly-with-it/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [ \[Kids\] don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/kids-don-t-remember-what-you-try-to-teach-them-they-remember-what-you/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [It's into the same bag as E.T. and Yoda, wherein you're trying to create something that people will actually believe, but it's not so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/it-s-into-the-same-bag-as-e-t-and-yoda-wherein-you-re-trying-to/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [“Simple is good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/simple-is-good/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [Nobody creates a fad. It just happens. People love going along with the idea of a beautiful pig. It’s like a conspiracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/nobody-creates-a-fad-it-just-happens-people-love-going-along-with-the/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [Yeah, I think we did the term Muppets before we got the show Sam and Friends - a few months after I started working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/yeah-i-think-we-did-the-term-muppets-before-we-got-the-show-sam-and/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality, and that everything works out for the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-believe-that-we-form-our-own-lives-that-we-create-our-own-reality/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [I try hard not to judge anyone, and I try to bless everyone who is a part of my life, particularly anyone with whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-try-hard-not-to-judge-anyone-and-i-try-to-bless-everyone-who-is-a/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [“When single shines the triple sun, What was sundered and undone Shall be whole, the two made one By Gelfling hand, or else by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/when-single-shines-the-triple-sun-what-was-sundered-and-undone-shall/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) > [You're assisting the audience to understand; you're giving them a bridge or an access. And if you don't give them that, if you keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/you-re-assisting-the-audience-to-understand-you-re-giving-them-a/) [Jim Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) [Explore all 86 Jim Henson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [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/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“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 > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [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 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/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and paint.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Henson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-do-was-go-off-and-paint/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-do-was-go-off-and-paint/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8b/jim-henson-7889_artist_i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-d_461495.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I decided that what I really wanted to do was go off and paint.” — Jim Henson", "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": "Jim Henson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-henson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I decided that what I really...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-do-was-go-off-and-paint/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-henson/i-decided-that-what-i-really-wanted-to-do-was-go-off-and-paint/#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 } } ] } ```