--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I left school, I wanted to be an…" description: "\"When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically a painter.\" — Jonathan Pryce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg" --- # When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically… ![“When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically a painter.” quote by Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg) > “When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically a painter.” [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaving school sparked a desire to create art, highlighting a shift from structured learning to personal expression. **In simple terms:** Leaving school made me want to paint. Key Takeaway Pursue creative passions after formal education. Themes career change creativity self‑discovery Mood hopeful determined Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career transition - art school - personal fulfillment - skill development Key Concepts identity artistic drive lifelong learning Questions to Reflect On - What steps will you take to develop your art? - How will you balance art with livelihood? A Different Perspective Passion may not translate into sustainable income. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Left School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-school/) [Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painter/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [School Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-wanted-539821/) [Specifically Painter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/specifically-painter-5595793/) [Wanted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted/) [Wanted Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-artist-981051/) ## Related quotes > [When I left school, all I wanted was to buy a van.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-o-connor/when-i-left-school-all-i-wanted-was-to-buy-a-van/) [Josh O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-o-connor/) > [I do remember in high school I wanted to be a disc jockey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-trillin/i-do-remember-in-high-school-i-wanted-to-be-a-disc-jockey/) [Calvin Trillin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-trillin/) > [ In school \[I wanted\] to be an English teacher. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-grace/in-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-english-teacher/) [Nancy Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-grace/) > [When I finished school, everyone wanted to go to a good university and become a lawyer or a doctor. My A-levels were sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-barnes/when-i-finished-school-everyone-wanted-to-go-to-a-good-university-and/) [Ben Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-barnes/) > [When I was at school, I wanted to be a lawyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lampard/when-i-was-at-school-i-wanted-to-be-a-lawyer/) [Frank Lampard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lampard/) > [When I was at school I wanted to be a writer and an actress. Then this whole modelling thing happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-dahl/when-i-was-at-school-i-wanted-to-be-a-writer-and-an-actress-then-this/) [Sophie Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-dahl/) > [I always wanted to be an artist. I think I was just waiting on somebody to approve me and be like, "Oh, okay, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pj-harvey/i-always-wanted-to-be-an-artist-i-think-i-was-just-waiting-on/) [PJ Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pj-harvey/) > [Ever since I was a kid, I might have been eleven or twelve. I'd be telling anyone who would listen that when I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-base/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-might-have-been-eleven-or-twelve-i-d-be/) [Graeme Base](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-base/) > [I originally just wanted to be an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-clowes/i-originally-just-wanted-to-be-an-artist/) [Daniel Clowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-clowes/) > [I wanted to become an artist because it meant endless possibilities. Art was a way of reinventing myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-taylor-wood/i-wanted-to-become-an-artist-because-it-meant-endless-possibilities/) [Sam Taylor-Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-taylor-wood/) > [I wanted to be an artist; it was be an artist or be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-o-connor/i-wanted-to-be-an-artist-it-was-be-an-artist-or-be-an-actor/) [Josh O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-o-connor/) > [What made my mind go free is that I wanted to become an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/what-made-my-mind-go-free-is-that-i-wanted-to-become-an-artist/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I wanted to be a "serious artist." Serious artists didn't tend to be funny. But that didn't get me a lot of attention. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-bell/i-wanted-to-be-a-serious-artist-serious-artists-didn-t-tend-to-be/) [Gabrielle Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-bell/) > [I learned to play instruments and I've been in bands since I was 13, but I wanted to be an artist and I really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-dream/i-learned-to-play-instruments-and-i-ve-been-in-bands-since-i-was-13/) [The-Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-dream/) > [I was an art history major and I really love art. I wanted to give them artist names. 'The Ninja Turtles' happen to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaria-baldwin/i-was-an-art-history-major-and-i-really-love-art-i-wanted-to-give/) [Hilaria Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaria-baldwin/) ## More by Jonathan Pryce > [Hamlet' is a real ensemble piece: you have to realise that he's just one part of the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/hamlet-is-a-real-ensemble-piece-you-have-to-realise-that-he-s-just/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Even a good decision if made for the wrong reasons can be a wrong decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/even-a-good-decision-if-made-for-the-wrong-reasons-can-be-a-wrong/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I treasure my friends but not my possessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-treasure-my-friends-but-not-my-possessions/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I've never had therapy. Maybe the work is the therapy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-ve-never-had-therapy-maybe-the-work-is-the-therapy/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I have just enough public appreciation to make me happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-have-just-enough-public-appreciation-to-make-me-happy/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I'll read a book every now and then, but unlike most of my friends I don't always have one on the go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-ll-read-a-book-every-now-and-then-but-unlike-most-of-my-friends-i/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I live a very ordinary life. The rare awards ceremonies I go to are quite fun, because I can enjoy the irony of one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-live-a-very-ordinary-life-the-rare-awards-ceremonies-i-go-to-are/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Sometimes I just want to laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/sometimes-i-just-want-to-laugh/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I can tell stories to other actors about the level of aggression on stage in the '70s between actors - it was unbelievable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-can-tell-stories-to-other-actors-about-the-level-of-aggression-on/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [What's great about being an actor is you meet people and form a relationship very quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/what-s-great-about-being-an-actor-is-you-meet-people-and-form-a/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [Oddly enough, I'm not religious but I'm also very fond of St Peter's in Rome. When I'm there, I always know there's a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/oddly-enough-i-m-not-religious-but-i-m-also-very-fond-of-st-peter-s/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > ['Macbeth' sags in act four - the England scene with Malcolm and Macduff just doesn't work theatrically. But with 'Hamlet,' although the play is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/macbeth-sags-in-act-four-the-england-scene-with-malcolm-and-macduff/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [I made a sofa that is constantly being updated the more people sit on it, or sit through it, or don't sit on it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/i-made-a-sofa-that-is-constantly-being-updated-the-more-people-sit-on/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [It was easy for me to play someone with a massive ego. It's actually really fun to have the freedom to be that person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/it-was-easy-for-me-to-play-someone-with-a-massive-ego-it-s-actually/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) > [People sometimes ask me why I did this or that project. I say, 'Well, they asked me.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/people-sometimes-ask-me-why-i-did-this-or-that-project-i-say-well/) [Jonathan Pryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) [Explore all 37 Jonathan Pryce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/) ## 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. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [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/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. 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": "When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically a painter.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonathan Pryce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-artist-specifically-a-painter/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-artist-specifically-a-painter/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/374/jonathan-pryce-17461_art_when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-art_3140675.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically a painter.” — Jonathan Pryce", "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": "Jonathan Pryce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-pryce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I left school, I wanted...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-artist-specifically-a-painter/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-pryce/when-i-left-school-i-wanted-to-be-an-artist-specifically-a-painter/#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 } } ] } ```