--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It dawned on me that art was the way I…" description: "\"It dawned on me that art was the way I could survive.\" — Maurice Sendak" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg" --- # It dawned on me that art was the way I could survive. ![“It dawned on me that art was the way I could survive.” quote by Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg) > “It dawned on me that art was the way I could survive.” [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) ## 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 discovers that creating art becomes a vital means of enduring hardship, turning personal expression into a lifeline. **In simple terms:** Art becomes a way to survive. Key Takeaway Use creativity to cope with challenges. Themes self‑expression resilience art survival mental health Mood hopeful introspective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - writing poetry - painting - music composition - journaling Key Concepts creative therapy personal narrative psychology Questions to Reflect On - What forms of art have helped you through tough times? - Can artistic practice become a sustainable coping strategy? A Different Perspective Art may not replace practical needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Dawned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dawned/) [Dawned Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dawned-art-1606871/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Survive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survive/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Survive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-survive-1093180/) ## Related quotes > [“The only way to survive is to let some of them go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/the-only-way-to-survive-is-to-let-some-of-them-go/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [Almost any show that has reviewers behind it, Rotten Tomatoes behind it, will find a way to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-blodget/almost-any-show-that-has-reviewers-behind-it-rotten-tomatoes-behind/) [Henry Blodget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-blodget/) > [i still have no way to survive but to keep writing one line, one more line, one more line...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukio-mishima/i-still-have-no-way-to-survive-but-to-keep-writing-one-line-one-more/) [Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukio-mishima/) > [Life is a constant battle, the only way to survive is always getting ready.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaze-olamiday/life-is-a-constant-battle-the-only-way-to-survive-is-always-getting/) [Blaze Olamiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaze-olamiday/) > [“Of knowing that there is a larger energy and force that can crush our ambitions and plans in the blink of an eye, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-p-j-abdul-kalam-2/of-knowing-that-there-is-a-larger-energy-and-force-that-can-crush-our/) [A.P.J. Abdul Kalam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-p-j-abdul-kalam-2/) > [Then it dawned on me that no one else was going to believe in me until I believed in myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-j-schwartz/then-it-dawned-on-me-that-no-one-else-was-going-to-believe-in-me/) [David J. Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-j-schwartz/) > [I remember when 'I'm Moving On' came out, and we got the response we did, I thought, 'Man, this could be for real.' That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-demarcus/i-remember-when-i-m-moving-on-came-out-and-we-got-the-response-we-did/) [Jay DeMarcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-demarcus/) > [It never dawned on me I would do anything but show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-basil/it-never-dawned-on-me-i-would-do-anything-but-show-business/) [Toni Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-basil/) > [Even though I was in close proximity to everything, it never really dawned on me to pursue a career in show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lawrence/even-though-i-was-in-close-proximity-to-everything-it-never-really/) [Vicki Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lawrence/) > [“January 20th,2021 Blow the trumpets loud, Salute the National Guard in the crowd, New beginnings, A new day has dawned, No need to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charmaine-j-forde/january-20th-2021-blow-the-trumpets-loud-salute-the-national-guard-in/) [Charmaine J Forde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charmaine-j-forde/) > [“It dawned on him that he really could be a cop if he wanted to, and it dawned on him that he'd had this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-dorst/it-dawned-on-him-that-he-really-could-be-a-cop-if-he-wanted-to-and-it/) [Doug Dorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-dorst/) > [It never dawned on me to be born I just awoke to the fact one day. My first orgasm was a similar experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-carlysle/it-never-dawned-on-me-to-be-born-i-just-awoke-to-the-fact-one-day-my/) [Jules Carlysle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-carlysle/) > [The day of the android has dawned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/the-day-of-the-android-has-dawned/) [Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/) > [Be yourself. I had this three-week period where I wore this straw fedora. I thought it was what chicks wanted. And then it dawned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-devine/be-yourself-i-had-this-three-week-period-where-i-wore-this-straw/) [Adam DeVine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-devine/) > [One day, it just dawned on me that I'm from Texas, and that's what I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sissy-spacek/one-day-it-just-dawned-on-me-that-i-m-from-texas-and-that-s-what-i-am/) [Sissy Spacek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sissy-spacek/) ## More by Maurice Sendak > [I never thought of Bumble-Ardy in that way. But I still have that same deep feeling for children who are in dire trouble. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-never-thought-of-bumble-ardy-in-that-way-but-i-still-have-that-same/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I was a very sickly child. My parents were immigrants. They were not decorous. They were not discreet. They always thought I was gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-was-a-very-sickly-child-my-parents-were-immigrants-they-were-not/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [The distinctions of fine art bore me to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/the-distinctions-of-fine-art-bore-me-to-death/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [The fan mail I get from kids are asking me questions which they do not ask their mothers and fathers. Because if they had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/the-fan-mail-i-get-from-kids-are-asking-me-questions-which-they-do/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [“May I ask what you have in your black leather bag with gold buckles?" "Everything." They were climbing a narrow staircase. Rhoda stopped to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/may-i-ask-what-you-have-in-your-black-leather-bag-with-gold-buckles/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I grew up in a house that was in a constant state of mourning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-grew-up-in-a-house-that-was-in-a-constant-state-of-mourning/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [Illustrations have as much to say as the text. The trick is to say the same thing, but in a different way. It's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/illustrations-have-as-much-to-say-as-the-text-the-trick-is-to-say-the/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I'm a lucky buck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-m-a-lucky-buck/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I've convinced myself - I hope I'm right - that children despair of you if you don't tell them the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-ve-convinced-myself-i-hope-i-m-right-that-children-despair-of-you/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [It's no fun being lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/it-s-no-fun-being-lonely/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I cry a lot because I miss people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-cry-a-lot-because-i-miss-people/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [You cannot write for children They're much too complicated. You can only write books that are of interest to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/you-cannot-write-for-children-they-re-much-too-complicated-you-can/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [All I liked to do when I was a kid was draw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/all-i-liked-to-do-when-i-was-a-kid-was-draw/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I'm still as enamored and turned on by work as I was when I was young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-m-still-as-enamored-and-turned-on-by-work-as-i-was-when-i-was-young/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [I've always loved pigs: the shape of them, the look of them, and the fact that they are so intelligent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/i-ve-always-loved-pigs-the-shape-of-them-the-look-of-them-and-the/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) [Explore all 262 Maurice Sendak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) ## 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": "It dawned on me that art was the way I could survive.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maurice Sendak" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-could-survive/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-could-survive/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/800/maurice-sendak-1273_art_it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-c_142546.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It dawned on me that art was the way I could survive.” — Maurice Sendak", "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": "Maurice Sendak", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It dawned on me that art...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-could-survive/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/it-dawned-on-me-that-art-was-the-way-i-could-survive/#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 } } ] } ```