--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could talk about it, I would not…" description: "\"“If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it fills the empty places in my life.”\" — Ne..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/neil-gaiman-29_art_if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-hav_1086446.jpg" --- # If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I… ![“If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it fills the empty places in my life.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/neil-gaiman-29_art_if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-hav_1086446.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/neil-gaiman-29_art_if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-hav_1086446.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bac/neil-gaiman-29_art_if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-hav_1086446.jpg) > ““If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it fills the empty places in my life.”” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art can be both a necessity and a distraction, filling voids when words fail. **In simple terms:** Art fills gaps in life. Key Takeaway Create art to address inner emptiness. Themes creativity purpose self‑expression Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - daily journaling - visual art - music composition Key Concepts artistic process psychology authenticity Questions to Reflect On - When does art become a crutch? - How can art serve deeper growth? A Different Perspective Art may become an escape rather than a solution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Empty places](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty-places/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it fills the empty places in my life. Some of them. Not all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/i-make-art-sometimes-i-make-true-art-and-sometimes-it-fills-the-empty/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art, sometimes I make true art, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-have-to-do-it-i-make-art/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Doing fine, thank you, I would say, never knowing how to talk about what I do. If I could talk about it, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/doing-fine-thank-you-i-would-say-never-knowing-how-to-talk-about-what/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You make art, you make it from what you know, and that's the best way to make art. You get lost in the details…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boots-riley/you-make-art-you-make-it-from-what-you-know-and-that-s-the-best-way/) [Boots Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boots-riley/) > [If you can't make art, make your life a work of art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-malraux/if-you-can-t-make-art-make-your-life-a-work-of-art/) [Andre Malraux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-malraux/) > [“Make art, make a statement, make a protest. It's up to you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-hucklesby/make-art-make-a-statement-make-a-protest-it-s-up-to-you/) [Jill Hucklesby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-hucklesby/) > [I don't make art to make money, I make art so I can make art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-don-t-make-art-to-make-money-i-make-art-so-i-can-make-art/) [Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/) > [“There are two things in this world that I want to do endlessly: make art and make love. And with you, they are one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yeh/there-are-two-things-in-this-world-that-i-want-to-do-endlessly-make/) Jessica Yeh > [I feel like you have to make art because you have to make it. But the end result of it- that last stage- you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/i-feel-like-you-have-to-make-art-because-you-have-to-make-it-but-the/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-to-make-a-choice-about-who-i-2/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [The reason I make art is because I get to make a choice about who I am, what I do, and what I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sollee/the-reason-i-make-art-is-because-i-get-to-make-a-choice-about-who-i/) [Ben Sollee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sollee/) > [There are so many different ways to make art. And so many good stories. You don't have to have a budget. I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amandla-stenberg/there-are-so-many-different-ways-to-make-art-and-so-many-good-stories/) [Amandla Stenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amandla-stenberg/) > [“When things get tough, this is what you should do: Make good art. I’m serious. Husband runs off with a politician — make good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/when-things-get-tough-this-is-what-you-should-do-make-good-art-i-m/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. I make art.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/if-i-could-talk-about-it-i-would-not-have-to-do-it-i-make-art-3/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“ Toquet , it is well, little one. It is finished, eh?” She panted, tossing her head. “It h-hurts!” “It will pass,” he assured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/toquet-it-is-well-little-one-it-is-finished-eh-she-panted-tossing-her/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) ## More by Neil Gaiman > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Like all sentient beings, Fat Charlie had a weirdness quotient. For some days the needle had been over in the red, occasionally banging jerkily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/like-all-sentient-beings-fat-charlie-had-a-weirdness-quotient-for/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Shadow crawled across the floor to the yellow foam-rubber pad and climbed onto it, pulling the thin blanket over himself, and closed his eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/shadow-crawled-across-the-floor-to-the-yellow-foam-rubber-pad-and/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [ “\[T\]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every-time-another-little-human/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [So many things to see, people to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/so-many-things-to-see-people-to-do/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.’ – Ben Franklin,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/three-may-keep-a-secret-if-two-of-them-are-dead-ben-franklin/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You can tell the date of an old science fiction novel by every word on the page. Nothing dates harder and faster and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-can-tell-the-date-of-an-old-science-fiction-novel-by-every-word/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“The quickest way is sometimes the longest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/the-quickest-way-is-sometimes-the-longest/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“They were spells, spelled with words to make worlds, waiting for me, in the pages of books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/they-were-spells-spelled-with-words-to-make-worlds-waiting-for-me-in/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Finish what you're writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/finish-what-you-re-writing-whatever-you-have-to-do-to-finish-it/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [What do stars do? They shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-do-stars-do-they-shine/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“What," asked Mr Croup, "do you want?" "What," asked the Marquis de Carabas, a little more rhetorically, "does anyone want?" "Dead things," suggested Mr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-asked-mr-croup-do-you-want-what-asked-the-marquis-de-carabas-a/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try and be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-get-on-with-your-own-life-lettie-gave-it-to-you-you-just-have-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Eyes will not see you. Minds will not hold you. Where you are is nothing and nobody”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/eyes-will-not-see-you-minds-will-not-hold-you-where-you-are-is/) [neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) [Explore all 2,526 Neil Gaiman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## 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 > [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": "“If I could talk about it, I would not have to do it. 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