Artist Quote by Tom Wesselmann
“I'd never painted anything before. I was quite content to take other people's work since I didn't care anyway about the subject matter. I approached subject matter as a scoundrel. I had nothing to say about it whatsoever. I only wanted to make these exciting paintings.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art Talk with Tom Wesselmann, 1970s
He admits he painted without genuine interest, treating subjects as a means to create exciting work rather than expressing personal meaning.
In simple terms: Painted without caring about subject matter.
Seek authentic connection to your work.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal projects
- commissioned work
- gallery shows
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to create?
- How does authenticity affect your art?
Effort alone cannot compensate for lack of genuine engagement.