--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As an artist, I think it's critical for…" description: "\"As an artist, I think it's critical for keeping yourself alive that you try to get your hands into something a little bit more intensely. It's one of t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg" --- # As an artist, I think it's critical for keeping yourself… ![“As an artist, I think it's critical for keeping yourself alive that you try to get your hands into something a little bit more intensely. It's one of the reasons why I love theater because you never actually let go of it and it never feels like there's a tremendous distance between the process and…” quote by Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg) > “As an artist, I think it's critical for keeping yourself alive that you try to get your hands into something a little bit more intensely. It's one of the reasons why I love theater because you never actually let go of it and it never feels like there's a tremendous distance between the process and the product.” [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She stresses deep, intense involvement in art to stay alive, valuing theater’s immediacy between process and product. **In simple terms:** Intense artistic work keeps her alive; theater feels close and immediate. Key Takeaway Engage fully in creative practice. Themes creativity art presence intimacy Mood inspired reflective Type artistic motivational When to use this quote - theater rehearsals - painting sessions - musical improvisation Key Concepts embodiment process focus audience connection Questions to Reflect On - How can artists maintain intensity sustainably? - What practices keep the process alive? A Different Perspective Intense focus may lead to burnout without balance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Letting go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/letting-go/) [Process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/process/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theater/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I love acting, of course, and I would still love to keep acting, but I want to try my hands at so many things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-love-acting-of-course-and-i-would-still-love-to-keep-acting-but-i/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [Any chance I get, I'll try and take with two hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/any-chance-i-get-i-ll-try-and-take-with-two-hands/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [I am young enough to try my hands at all kinds of cinema.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranbir-kapoor/i-am-young-enough-to-try-my-hands-at-all-kinds-of-cinema/) [Ranbir Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranbir-kapoor/) > [I always think that the difference between film and theater is like the difference between masturbation and making love. Because, in film, you just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/i-always-think-that-the-difference-between-film-and-theater-is-like/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [Theater actually took time to pique my interest. It just wasn't a part of my upbringing. I don't have anyone in the arts in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-gabriel/theater-actually-took-time-to-pique-my-interest-it-just-wasn-t-a-part/) [Betty Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-gabriel/) > [I did enjoy theater. I actually do prefer making films and television, but it was a learning experience for me, because I got into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/i-did-enjoy-theater-i-actually-do-prefer-making-films-and-television/) [Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/) > [Talking about theater, actually, I built a little barn in upstate New York, and I call it 'the smallest theater in the world,' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-petit/talking-about-theater-actually-i-built-a-little-barn-in-upstate-new/) [Philippe Petit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-petit/) > [I feel like you can't really be truthful as an artist and empathize with the human experience, unless you know your truth and you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-guerrero/i-feel-like-you-can-t-really-be-truthful-as-an-artist-and-empathize/) [Diane Guerrero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-guerrero/) > [If you want to be an entertainer and just keep your audience happy, that's one thing. But to be an artist, I think, means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wilson/if-you-want-to-be-an-entertainer-and-just-keep-your-audience-happy/) [Steven Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wilson/) > [Cudi should be a top tier artist... I think he fathered a lot of the style of music. He's a good influence and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-scott/cudi-should-be-a-top-tier-artist-i-think-he-fathered-a-lot-of-the/) [Travis Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-scott/) > [When you're doing so much, there's so much on your mind. The bigger the artist you become, you have to think a lot more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefflon-don/when-you-re-doing-so-much-there-s-so-much-on-your-mind-the-bigger-the/) [Stefflon Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefflon-don/) > [I don't write for a particular audience. I work as an artist, and I think the audience of one, which is the self, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/i-don-t-write-for-a-particular-audience-i-work-as-an-artist-and-i/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) > [There are obviously so many artists that are very inspiring, but I can't say that they like - that I have someone in mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/there-are-obviously-so-many-artists-that-are-very-inspiring-but-i-can/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [When I land in a country and they ask for 'occupation,' I always just put 'artist.' I think that covers all of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/when-i-land-in-a-country-and-they-ask-for-occupation-i-always-just/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [If you give a little credit to the concept of the artist, I think you ought to indulge excesses a bit, because that reflects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/if-you-give-a-little-credit-to-the-concept-of-the-artist-i-think-you/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) ## More by Maggie Siff > [I think, as an actor, theater is like one of the things that you feel most in control of and in charge of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/i-think-as-an-actor-theater-is-like-one-of-the-things-that-you-feel/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [For me to get to work with a writer-director over time in developing a project - my investment feels much more profound. I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/for-me-to-get-to-work-with-a-writer-director-over-time-in-developing/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [As a theater actor I always wondered, 'Is there a place for me in Hollywood?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/as-a-theater-actor-i-always-wondered-is-there-a-place-for-me-in/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [I was an English major in college!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/i-was-an-english-major-in-college/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [You just have to learn how to fall down and get back up again. You just have to keep going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/you-just-have-to-learn-how-to-fall-down-and-get-back-up-again-you/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [I so never went through a bad-girl period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/i-so-never-went-through-a-bad-girl-period/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [I grew up in the Bronx, but in Riverdale - not exactly an area of New York that's known for being rough and tumble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/i-grew-up-in-the-bronx-but-in-riverdale-not-exactly-an-area-of-new/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [I want to do more independent film. I'm blessed to be working on really quality episodic television, which to me actually feels like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/i-want-to-do-more-independent-film-i-m-blessed-to-be-working-on/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [Cate Blanchett is somebody who I could watch do anything. I love what an extraordinary chameleon she can be. There's something about the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/cate-blanchett-is-somebody-who-i-could-watch-do-anything-i-love-what/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [Im not your biggest girly girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/im-not-your-biggest-girly-girl/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [A day on a film set is maddening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/a-day-on-a-film-set-is-maddening/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) > [Over time as an actor, your life with a project can be so short lived because you come on, you do it, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/over-time-as-an-actor-your-life-with-a-project-can-be-so-short-lived/) [Maggie Siff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) [Explore all 13 Maggie Siff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [I never planned to do female roles. It just happened. I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As an artist, I think it's critical for keeping yourself alive that you try to get your hands into something a little bit more intensely. It's one of the reasons why I love theater because you never actually let go of it and it never feels like there's a tremendous distance between the process and the product.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maggie Siff" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-keeping-yourself-alive-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actor" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-keeping-yourself-alive-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c44/maggie-siff-35497_alive_as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-k_993401.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As an artist, I think it's critical for keeping yourself alive that you try to get your hands into something…” — Maggie Siff", "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": "Maggie Siff", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-siff/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As an artist, I think it's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-keeping-yourself-alive-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-siff/as-an-artist-i-think-it-s-critical-for-keeping-yourself-alive-that/#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 } } ] } ```