--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't paint anymore. I haven't since I…" description: "\"I don't paint anymore. I haven't since I abandoned it at 19, in order to begin writing seriously.\" — Jonathan Lethem" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jonathan-lethem-1403_abandoned_i-don-t-paint-anymore-i-haven-t-since-i_2820841.png" --- # I don't paint anymore. I haven't since I abandoned it at… ![“I don't paint anymore. I haven't since I abandoned it at 19, in order to begin writing seriously.” quote by Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jonathan-lethem-1403_abandoned_i-don-t-paint-anymore-i-haven-t-since-i_2820841.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jonathan-lethem-1403_abandoned_i-don-t-paint-anymore-i-haven-t-since-i_2820841.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f5/jonathan-lethem-1403_abandoned_i-don-t-paint-anymore-i-haven-t-since-i_2820841.png) > “I don't paint anymore. I haven't since I abandoned it at 19, in order to begin writing seriously.” [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He stopped painting after age 19 to focus on serious writing, abandoning visual art. **In simple terms:** He quit painting to write. Key Takeaway Prioritize one creative pursuit. Themes art career shift discipline Mood introspective reflective Type philosophical personal When to use this quote - career planning - art education - creative workshops Key Concepts creative focus art vs writing personal sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - What drives a shift from one art form to another? - Is abandoning a skill ever beneficial? A Different Perspective May limit artistic expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I think we all go through times in our lives when we decide, "I'm going to try something else." 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Get out of the car.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/enough-of-this-does-every-conversation-with-you-have-to-be-the/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [“The stumbling block will turn out to be the traditional one for students of consciousness: the flashlight is incapable of shining on itself, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/the-stumbling-block-will-turn-out-to-be-the-traditional-one-for/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [“May one plead, Your Honor, postmodernism as an involuntary condition?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/may-one-plead-your-honor-postmodernism-as-an-involuntary-condition/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) [Explore all 241 Jonathan Lethem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) ## More Abandoned quotes > [“I'm surprised when I walk right into yet another abandoned hunters' camp. 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