--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have disciplined myself when I'm…" description: "\"I have disciplined myself when I'm working. When I discovered art, I realized that one could keep that search going within creation. But I also realize..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/patti-smith-394_art_i-have-disciplined-myself-when-i-m-worki_961818.jpg" --- # I have disciplined myself when I'm working. When I… ![“I have disciplined myself when I'm working. When I discovered art, I realized that one could keep that search going within creation. But I also realize that in order to create the art, you have to stay, you can't go too far.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/patti-smith-394_art_i-have-disciplined-myself-when-i-m-worki_961818.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/patti-smith-394_art_i-have-disciplined-myself-when-i-m-worki_961818.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/070/patti-smith-394_art_i-have-disciplined-myself-when-i-m-worki_961818.jpg) > “I have disciplined myself when I'm working. When I discovered art, I realized that one could keep that search going within creation. But I also realize that in order to create the art, you have to stay, you can't go too far.” [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She connects disciplined work habits with artistic creation, noting that art requires staying grounded and not overextending. **In simple terms:** Discipline helps art stay focused. Key Takeaway Balance discipline with creative flow. Themes creativity discipline artistic process Mood reflective inspirational Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - musician interviews - creative workshops - personal development Key Concepts Focus balance search creation Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain focus while staying open? - What boundaries help your art? A Different Perspective Discipline may limit spontaneous creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Creation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creation/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) ## Related quotes > [I started thinking what could happen with my art and I realized that the biggest thing that could is that it winds up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-started-thinking-what-could-happen-with-my-art-and-i-realized-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [When I was younger I was very opinionated about art. And then, I realized that I kind of recognized this pattern where the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-bradley/when-i-was-younger-i-was-very-opinionated-about-art-and-then-i/) [Joe Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-bradley/) > [I find it very hard to be disciplined. But working on something is a real reason to test yourself and go for it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-cole/i-find-it-very-hard-to-be-disciplined-but-working-on-something-is-a/) [Finn Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-cole/) > [I was meticulously copying other art and then I realized I could just use a camera and put my time into an idea instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sherman/i-was-meticulously-copying-other-art-and-then-i-realized-i-could-just/) [Cindy Sherman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sherman/) > [I got into architecture because I was searching for a way to produce in the world. I went to art school and thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-adjaye/i-got-into-architecture-because-i-was-searching-for-a-way-to-produce/) [David Adjaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-adjaye/) > [We're able to influence younger generations on design and art. They might not have realized they were an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wilson/we-re-able-to-influence-younger-generations-on-design-and-art-they/) [Douglas Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wilson/) > [“after life has broken you open, perhaps you may create art”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/after-life-has-broken-you-open-perhaps-you-may-create-art/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) > [“Write something that’s worth fighting over. Because that’s how you change things. That’s how you create art.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-goins/write-something-that-s-worth-fighting-over-because-that-s-how-you/) [Jeff Goins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-goins/) > [I hope I will always have the ability to create art and live in a world where I can speak freely, and I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/i-hope-i-will-always-have-the-ability-to-create-art-and-live-in-a/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [“Every piece of art starts as an empty canvas, a lump of clay, or a mixture of fabrics and colors. It's all raw, stripped-down,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-mooney/every-piece-of-art-starts-as-an-empty-canvas-a-lump-of-clay-or-a/) Mick Mooney > [If I would not be able to create music, I would create art or something else. Perhaps cooking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meshell-ndegeocello/if-i-would-not-be-able-to-create-music-i-would-create-art-or/) [Meshell Ndegeocello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meshell-ndegeocello/) > [As I create art, it is like a love affair. My days go by loving what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-max/as-i-create-art-it-is-like-a-love-affair-my-days-go-by-loving-what-i/) [Peter Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-max/) > [All humans are storytellers with their own unique point of view. When we understand this, we no longer feel the need to impose our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/all-humans-are-storytellers-with-their-own-unique-point-of-view-when/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [It is, of course, a luxury to create art and, on top of this, to insist on expressing one's own artistic opinion. Nothing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beckmann/it-is-of-course-a-luxury-to-create-art-and-on-top-of-this-to-insist/) [Max Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beckmann/) > [The hidden child wants to be able to participate and to co-create in art, rather than being simply an admiring viewer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-morgenstern/the-hidden-child-wants-to-be-able-to-participate-and-to-co-create-in/) [Christian Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-morgenstern/) ## More by Patti Smith > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [ Sometimes \[people\] seem to think I came out of the womb, you know, cursing, with an electric guitar. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/sometimes-people-seem-to-think-i-came-out-of-the-womb-you-know/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Inside it he inscribed a few lines of poetry, portraying us as the gypsy and the fool, one creating silence; one listening closely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/inside-it-he-inscribed-a-few-lines-of-poetry-portraying-us-as-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/who-can-know-the-heart-of-youth-but-youth-itself/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“I clawed through a thick web of the culture’s consciousness that I hadn’t known existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-clawed-through-a-thick-web-of-the-culture-s-consciousness-that-i/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-certain-as-we-filled-down-the-great-staircase-that-i-appeared-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/new-york-is-the-thing-that-seduced-me-new-york-is-the-thing-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I don't wanna be equal with anybody. I wanna be above equal. I don't think most people are equal to me. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-don-t-wanna-be-equal-with-anybody-i-wanna-be-above-equal-i-don-t/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took over and I started getting very involved with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/somehow-i-started-introducing-writing-into-my-drawings-and-after-a/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) [Explore all 595 Patti Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## 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": "I have disciplined myself when I'm working. 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