--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My paintings don't simply represent what…" description: "\"My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they present viewers with what I want them to see.\" — Ken Danby" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png" --- # My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they… ![“My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they present viewers with what I want them to see.” quote by Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png) > “My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they present viewers with what I want them to see.” [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The artist shapes perception, guiding viewers toward a intended vision rather than merely copying reality. **In simple terms:** Artists control how viewers see their work. Key Takeaway Design the viewer’s experience. Themes art perception interpretation Mood thoughtful creative Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - gallery shows - art education - curated exhibitions - personal branding Key Concepts visual storytelling subjectivity Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what viewers should see? - What limits an artist’s control over perception? A Different Perspective Viewer interpretation can differ despite intent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Paintings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paintings/) [Viewers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viewers/) ## Related quotes > [If people would just look at the paintings, I don't think they would have any trouble enjoying them. It's like looking at a bed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-pollock/if-people-would-just-look-at-the-paintings-i-don-t-think-they-would/) [Jackson Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-pollock/) > [Ironically, my paintings don't photograph well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-loeb/ironically-my-paintings-don-t-photograph-well/) [Damian Loeb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-loeb/) > [When I look back at my paintings, they don't give me a sense of where I was when I first met that guy. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/when-i-look-back-at-my-paintings-they-don-t-give-me-a-sense-of-where/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [The paintings don't exist outside themselves. There's no lead photograph off the internet or anything like that. It all comes from my mind and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-cooke/the-paintings-don-t-exist-outside-themselves-there-s-no-lead/) [Nigel Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-cooke/) > [I start out making my paintings for me. I don't see it as a form of communication. Until, of course, after they are done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lurie/i-start-out-making-my-paintings-for-me-i-don-t-see-it-as-a-form-of/) [John Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lurie/) > [Paintings don't just happen. I am not a proponent of the idea of an artist as someone who kind of magically makes things and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-james-marshall/paintings-don-t-just-happen-i-am-not-a-proponent-of-the-idea-of-an/) [Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-james-marshall/) > [The problem for us, as viewers, is that we want famous people who are passionate about the things they're famous for, because that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-burnham/the-problem-for-us-as-viewers-is-that-we-want-famous-people-who-are/) [Bo Burnham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-burnham/) > [The fantasy genre is so in at the moment. Viewers want to escape from their lives and watch something that is so separate from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-morgan/the-fantasy-genre-is-so-in-at-the-moment-viewers-want-to-escape-from/) [Colin Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-morgan/) > [We're going to develop - what we want to do is to provide the viewers with what they want from CNN and that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-chung/we-re-going-to-develop-what-we-want-to-do-is-to-provide-the-viewers/) [Connie Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-chung/) > [During the game, we never sit down. Not only is there action on the field, but we also have to cover the half-time show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/during-the-game-we-never-sit-down-not-only-is-there-action-on-the/) [Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/) > [I decided to host my show 'Kiss and Cry' hoping that people actually want to participate and feel more familiar with figure skating. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuna-kim/i-decided-to-host-my-show-kiss-and-cry-hoping-that-people-actually/) [Yuna Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuna-kim/) > [I want the paintings to take me or the viewer out somewhere else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-schnabel/i-want-the-paintings-to-take-me-or-the-viewer-out-somewhere-else/) [Julian Schnabel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-schnabel/) > [My paintings are inspirational for they allow the observer to experience infinite viewpoints and perceptions. They are not abstract for they represent what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freydoon-rassouli/my-paintings-are-inspirational-for-they-allow-the-observer-to/) Freydoon Rassouli > [I think my viewers want smart, honest programming. They don't want to be told what makes them feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/i-think-my-viewers-want-smart-honest-programming-they-don-t-want-to/) [Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/) > [I'm not an entertainer - that's not what I do. I want to teach viewers; I want to show them. I want to share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lidia-bastianich/i-m-not-an-entertainer-that-s-not-what-i-do-i-want-to-teach-viewers-i/) [Lidia Bastianich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lidia-bastianich/) ## More by Ken Danby > [Regardless of the importance of known evidence to the contrary, the arts are generally regarded as being so much entertaining fluff, a commodity that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/regardless-of-the-importance-of-known-evidence-to-the-contrary-the/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Desire is everything, not talent. It's the degree of one's desire that will dictate the extent of one's success, in any endeavour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/desire-is-everything-not-talent-it-s-the-degree-of-one-s-desire-that/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Understand who you are and who you want to be, and thereby learn how you may best relate to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/understand-who-you-are-and-who-you-want-to-be-and-thereby-learn-how/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Abstraction and realism work best together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/abstraction-and-realism-work-best-together/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [I must have the personal dialogue, the private time, with each painting in progress. I can't share it with anyone until it's done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/i-must-have-the-personal-dialogue-the-private-time-with-each-painting/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Growing up in Northern Ontario provided me with a strong affinity for the natural environment that was so eloquently responded to by Tom Thomson…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/growing-up-in-northern-ontario-provided-me-with-a-strong-affinity-for/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [There's nothing like a little fear or hunger to motivate one's inspiration. To take that away from a young artist can offer quite a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/there-s-nothing-like-a-little-fear-or-hunger-to-motivate-one-s/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [We do not see with our eyes, but through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/we-do-not-see-with-our-eyes-but-through-them/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Art is a necessity, an essential part of our enlightenment process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/art-is-a-necessity-an-essential-part-of-our-enlightenment-process/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Without art, we're handicapped, and living a stifled, barren existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/without-art-we-re-handicapped-and-living-a-stifled-barren-existence/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Art is a necessity - an essential part of our enlightenment process. We cannot, as a civilized society, regard ourselves as being enlightened without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/art-is-a-necessity-an-essential-part-of-our-enlightenment-process-we/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [In painting, detail for the sake of itself is useless. It must have relevance to the whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/in-painting-detail-for-the-sake-of-itself-is-useless-it-must-have/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [As an artist, my concern is toward the synthesizing of all the visual elements at my disposal - at the exclusion of none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/as-an-artist-my-concern-is-toward-the-synthesizing-of-all-the-visual/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Creative expression and visual comprehension are really the handmaidens of art. One cannot thrive without the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/creative-expression-and-visual-comprehension-are-really-the/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) > [Learn to nurture and trust your instincts as well as your conscious reasoning. Often, one's instincts will offer the better judgment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/learn-to-nurture-and-trust-your-instincts-as-well-as-your-conscious/) [Ken Danby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) [Explore all 25 Ken Danby quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/) ## 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": "My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they present viewers with what I want them to see.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ken Danby" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what-i-see-they-present-viewers/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Artist" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what-i-see-they-present-viewers/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2c6/ken-danby-24132_artist_my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what_3019168.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My paintings don't simply represent what I see; they present viewers with what I want them to see.” — Ken Danby", "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": "Ken Danby", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-danby/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My paintings don't simply represent what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what-i-see-they-present-viewers/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-danby/my-paintings-don-t-simply-represent-what-i-see-they-present-viewers/#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 } } ] } ```