--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never thought of being a performer…" description: "\"I never thought of being a performer, never thought of being a singer, never thought of being a photographer. It's just the trajectory of my work. I go..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e27/patti-smith-394_dreams_i-never-thought-of-being-a-performer-nev_735992.jpg" --- # I never thought of being a performer, never thought of… ![“I never thought of being a performer, never thought of being a singer, never thought of being a photographer. It's just the trajectory of my work. I go to the medium that serves the vision.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e27/patti-smith-394_dreams_i-never-thought-of-being-a-performer-nev_735992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e27/patti-smith-394_dreams_i-never-thought-of-being-a-performer-nev_735992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e27/patti-smith-394_dreams_i-never-thought-of-being-a-performer-nev_735992.jpg) > “I never thought of being a performer, never thought of being a singer, never thought of being a photographer. It's just the trajectory of my work. I go to the medium that serves the vision.” [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. An artist follows the medium that best serves their vision, regardless of traditional labels or expectations. **In simple terms:** Choose the medium that fits your vision. Key Takeaway Adapt your craft to the message. Themes creativity flexibility identity artistic vision Mood curious determined Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - music production - photography projects - visual installations Key Concepts interdisciplinary art self‑definition Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide which medium suits a new idea? - What challenges arise when crossing artistic boundaries? A Different Perspective Some audiences may resist unconventional artistic paths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Mediums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediums/) [Performer Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performer-thought-2560180/) [Performers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performers/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Singer Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singer-thought-1666876/) [Singers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/singers/) [Thought Performer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-performer-1152019/) [Thought Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-photographer-2605256/) [Thought Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-singer-651071/) [Trajectory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trajectory/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [Very early, I thought I would go into music, but I was aware that it would bring a set of obstacles I didn't find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/very-early-i-thought-i-would-go-into-music-but-i-was-aware-that-it/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [It was a dream to be a singer/performer, but I never thought I had a chance or had a real shot; I never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/it-was-a-dream-to-be-a-singer-performer-but-i-never-thought-i-had-a/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I wouldn't be the performer I am if everyone thought I was the best. Having people against you, or who don't quite believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cole/i-wouldn-t-be-the-performer-i-am-if-everyone-thought-i-was-the-best/) [Adam Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cole/) > [I always thought that it was every performer's dream. That's the epitome of being an artist, being able to express song, dance and acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-cox/i-always-thought-that-it-was-every-performer-s-dream-that-s-the/) [Deborah Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-cox/) > [I never thought of myself as a performer or songwriter or singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hunt/i-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-performer-or-songwriter-or-singer/) [Sam Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hunt/) > [I worked with my parents on the stage in production numbers since I was 4, but I never really gave much thought to being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-worked-with-my-parents-on-the-stage-in-production-numbers-since-i/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [I have always thought of myself as a performer first and way down the line as a recording artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-kottke/i-have-always-thought-of-myself-as-a-performer-first-and-way-down-the/) [Leo Kottke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-kottke/) > [Originally, I thought of being a photographer and nearly went to art school, but I got a record deal instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-murphy/originally-i-thought-of-being-a-photographer-and-nearly-went-to-art/) [Roisin Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-murphy/) > [I have always thought that the photographer does artistic work and that art consists of working with fictional premises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-fontcuberta/i-have-always-thought-that-the-photographer-does-artistic-work-and/) [Joan Fontcuberta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-fontcuberta/) > [I've thought of becoming a photographer! To save my talent as a writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/i-ve-thought-of-becoming-a-photographer-to-save-my-talent-as-a-writer/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [I fell in love with traveling and thought being a photographer would be an interesting way to travel and make a living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-menzel/i-fell-in-love-with-traveling-and-thought-being-a-photographer-would/) [Peter Menzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-menzel/) > [I never thought I would become a photographer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-burri/i-never-thought-i-would-become-a-photographer/) [Rene Burri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-burri/) > [I never thought of myself as being the singer that wanted to create an identity and then stick to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cornell/i-never-thought-of-myself-as-being-the-singer-that-wanted-to-create/) [Chris Cornell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cornell/) > [I'm a piano player. I never thought of myself as a singer, at all. I was always trying to sound like somebody else. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-joel/i-m-a-piano-player-i-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-singer-at-all-i-was/) [Billy Joel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-joel/) > [I've never thought of myself as a singer - I've always just used my voice as a vehicle to deliver songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-koma/i-ve-never-thought-of-myself-as-a-singer-i-ve-always-just-used-my/) [Matthew Koma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-koma/) ## 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 Dreams quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [“Now you’re wet. You’re so wet you’re leaking down your ass. You’re soaking my pillow. I don’t think I’m ever washing it. I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-stoker/now-you-re-wet-you-re-so-wet-you-re-leaking-down-your-ass-you-re/) [Susan Stoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-stoker/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Sometimes we wish for the feel but we never understand that we have to give a lot to get the feel !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reynolds/sometimes-we-wish-for-the-feel-but-we-never-understand-that-we-have/) [Robert Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reynolds/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 40,599 Dreams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never thought of being a performer, never thought of being a singer, never thought of being a photographer. It's just the trajectory of my work. 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