--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A lot of artists need structure." description: "\"A lot of artists need structure.\" — Ryan McGinley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/ryan-mcginley-10307_architecture_a-lot-of-artists-need-structure-1405250_1405250.png" --- # A lot of artists need structure. ![“A lot of artists need structure.” quote by Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/ryan-mcginley-10307_architecture_a-lot-of-artists-need-structure-1405250_1405250.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/ryan-mcginley-10307_architecture_a-lot-of-artists-need-structure-1405250_1405250.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e1e/ryan-mcginley-10307_architecture_a-lot-of-artists-need-structure-1405250_1405250.png) > “A lot of artists need structure.” [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists benefit from frameworks that channel creativity, turning chaos into purposeful expression. **In simple terms:** Structure helps artists focus their creativity. Key Takeaway Create a flexible routine to nurture art. Themes creativity structure discipline artistic process Mood motivational practical inspirational Type advice creative When to use this quote - daily sketching - project deadlines - collaborative workshops Key Concepts workflow design creative constraints habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How much structure do you need to stay inspired? - What routines enhance your creative flow? A Different Perspective Too rigid structure can stifle spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists/) [Artists Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists-need-507999/) [Lot Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lot-artists-1135875/) [Need Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-structure-939603/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) ## Related quotes > [Retirement is a work in progress. I try to figure out my day, and what I know about myself is that I need structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/retirement-is-a-work-in-progress-i-try-to-figure-out-my-day-and-what/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [I've met a lot of artists who wanted to paint me. LeRoy Neiman was one. He did it from a photograph. He made 20,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/i-ve-met-a-lot-of-artists-who-wanted-to-paint-me-leroy-neiman-was-one/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [The reason why I play around with the word legend is because this is my 7th CD and a lot of artists don't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginuwine/the-reason-why-i-play-around-with-the-word-legend-is-because-this-is/) [Ginuwine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginuwine/) > [A lot of artists just put on the people they can make money off of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnis/a-lot-of-artists-just-put-on-the-people-they-can-make-money-off-of/) [Donnis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnis/) > [Street artists need to get back to actually doing things on the streets instead of in the galleries where they all seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-mcgee/street-artists-need-to-get-back-to-actually-doing-things-on-the/) [Barry McGee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-mcgee/) > [A lot of these artists are out here don't stay true to why they started doing this in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-sanders/a-lot-of-these-artists-are-out-here-don-t-stay-true-to-why-they/) [Ashton Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-sanders/) > [I don't think a lot of artists have the freedom that I have when it comes to dressing in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessia-cara/i-don-t-think-a-lot-of-artists-have-the-freedom-that-i-have-when-it/) [Alessia Cara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessia-cara/) > [Artists need to express.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-neuwirth/artists-need-to-express/) [Bebe Neuwirth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-neuwirth/) > [I'm working with a lot of artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tay-keith/i-m-working-with-a-lot-of-artists/) [Tay Keith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tay-keith/) > [A lot of artists write about the same things their whole career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/win-butler/a-lot-of-artists-write-about-the-same-things-their-whole-career/) [Win Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/win-butler/) > [Sometimes, people need structure, and I needed structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-chung/sometimes-people-need-structure-and-i-needed-structure/) [Patrick Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-chung/) > [ I applied \[to film school\] figuring, "I need to find some structure for myself. I need to find a way to figure out what… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meera-menon/i-applied-to-film-school-figuring-i-need-to-find-some-structure-for/) [Meera Menon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meera-menon/) > [“Counselees need to structure hard tasks by scheduling them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-e-adams/counselees-need-to-structure-hard-tasks-by-scheduling-them/) [Jay E. Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-e-adams/) > [I like to work and it kind of keeps me in line, which is very good because I need that structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-anderson/i-like-to-work-and-it-kind-of-keeps-me-in-line-which-is-very-good/) [Pamela Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-anderson/) > [“To express yourself in a creative way you don't need structure you need an empty mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-yen-a-gardner/to-express-yourself-in-a-creative-way-you-don-t-need-structure-you/) [E'yen A. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-yen-a-gardner/) ## More by Ryan McGinley > [A lot of people, even my parents, thought, "Art school, I don't know. We'll support you but the success rate for artists is really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/a-lot-of-people-even-my-parents-thought-art-school-i-don-t-know-we-ll/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I want to venture into film more, and I think that a nice way to transition into doing that would be a documentary. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-want-to-venture-into-film-more-and-i-think-that-a-nice-way-to/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I knew my ticket out of the suburbs was art school, so I worked really hard to develop my portfolio and get a scholarship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-knew-my-ticket-out-of-the-suburbs-was-art-school-so-i-worked-really/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [You find the people that you need to find. There's this gravitational pull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/you-find-the-people-that-you-need-to-find-there-s-this-gravitational/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I spent all of my money on film. I remember I would do these set-design jobs or transcribe or just anything to get, like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-spent-all-of-my-money-on-film-i-remember-i-would-do-these-set/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [My photographs are a celebration of life, fun and the beautiful. They are a world that doesn't exist. A fantasy. Freedom is real. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/my-photographs-are-a-celebration-of-life-fun-and-the-beautiful-they/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I'm always interested in an atmosphere where dreams and reality mingle on equal terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-m-always-interested-in-an-atmosphere-where-dreams-and-reality/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [The cool thing for me about moving to New York was that I got to create a new family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/the-cool-thing-for-me-about-moving-to-new-york-was-that-i-got-to/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I think that's an important lesson for young people who want to be artists: You have to find someone who believes in you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-think-that-s-an-important-lesson-for-young-people-who-want-to-be/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [Actually, I didn't study photography at first. I went to school for painting my first year, poetry my second year, graphic design my third…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/actually-i-didn-t-study-photography-at-first-i-went-to-school-for/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I didn't have much of a life in crime as a graffiti writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-didn-t-have-much-of-a-life-in-crime-as-a-graffiti-writer/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [You have to be able to observe life as if you were a camera all the time, constantly looking at light and the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/you-have-to-be-able-to-observe-life-as-if-you-were-a-camera-all-the/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [Just having the camera, being able to pull back from situations and be an observer, it saved my life... I realised I could find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/just-having-the-camera-being-able-to-pull-back-from-situations-and-be/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [All I do is make photos. It's my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/all-i-do-is-make-photos-it-s-my-life/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) > [I was growing up in the suburbs; I was one of eight kids. So I did have a community when I was younger, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-mcginley/i-was-growing-up-in-the-suburbs-i-was-one-of-eight-kids-so-i-did-have/) [Ryan McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) [Explore all 66 Ryan McGinley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-mcginley/) ## More Architecture quotes > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [The Parthenon is really only a farmyard over which someone put a roof; colonades and sculptures were added because there were people in Athens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/the-parthenon-is-really-only-a-farmyard-over-which-someone-put-a-roof/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [I just think structure can make a book feel so much bigger. It's the architecture. You could use flimsy materials if you wanted to,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jami-attenberg/i-just-think-structure-can-make-a-book-feel-so-much-bigger-it-s-the/) [Jami Attenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jami-attenberg/) > [When I am asked what I believe in, I say that I believe in architecture. Architecture is the mother of the arts. I like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-meier/when-i-am-asked-what-i-believe-in-i-say-that-i-believe-in/) [Richard Meier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-meier/) > [Some architects have a preconceived notion of what a building should be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-w-fentress/some-architects-have-a-preconceived-notion-of-what-a-building-should/) [Curtis W. Fentress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-w-fentress/) > [The essential functions of the mind consist in understanding and in inventing, in other words, in building up structures by structuring reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-piaget/the-essential-functions-of-the-mind-consist-in-understanding-and-in/) [Jean Piaget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-piaget/) > [London, from the architecture to the culture to the fashion to the accents, feels like it's a special place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-eazy/london-from-the-architecture-to-the-culture-to-the-fashion-to-the/) [G-Eazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-eazy/) > [A wiki works best where you're trying to answer a question that you can't easily pose, where there's not a natural structure that's known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-cunningham/a-wiki-works-best-where-you-re-trying-to-answer-a-question-that-you/) [Ward Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-cunningham/) > [Architecture is not a profession for the faint-hearted, the weak-willed, or the short-lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-filler/architecture-is-not-a-profession-for-the-faint-hearted-the-weak/) [Martin Filler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-filler/) > [As a result of reading science fiction when I was eight, I grew up with an interest in music, architecture, city planning, transportation, politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/as-a-result-of-reading-science-fiction-when-i-was-eight-i-grew-up/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Winning a competition in architecture is a ticket to oblivion. It's just an idea. Ninety-nine per cent never get built](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-libeskind/winning-a-competition-in-architecture-is-a-ticket-to-oblivion-it-s/) [Daniel Libeskind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-libeskind/) > [It's not so much about form versus functionality. 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