--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't think about race before I start…" description: "\"I don't think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose I need it to fulfill.\" — Toyin Odutola" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg" --- # I don't think about race before I start drawing. I think… ![“I don't think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose I need it to fulfill.” quote by Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg) > “I don't think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose I need it to fulfill.” [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The creator prioritizes purpose and composition over racial considerations when making art. **In simple terms:** Focus on purpose, not race, in art. Key Takeaway Let intent guide your work. Themes artistic intent identity purpose Mood thoughtful focused Type artistic reflective When to use this quote - painting sessions - design projects - illustration commissions - art education Key Concepts visual storytelling creative process Questions to Reflect On - How does purpose shape your creative choices? - When might race be relevant in art? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic influences on representation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [I dont think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose I need it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-dont-think-about-race-before-i-start-drawing-i-think-about-how-to/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [I have no artistic training - as you might have guessed from all the stick figures! - and there are a few things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-munroe/i-have-no-artistic-training-as-you-might-have-guessed-from-all-the/) [Randall Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-munroe/) > [Almost every scene, I re-think as I'm about to start drawing it, and at least half of the time I'm changing dialogue or whatever,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-brown/almost-every-scene-i-re-think-as-i-m-about-to-start-drawing-it-and-at/) [Chester Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-brown/) > [I'm often wary of using the word 'inspiration' to introduce my work -- it sounds too much like a sun shower from the heavens,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-tan/i-m-often-wary-of-using-the-word-inspiration-to-introduce-my-work-it/) [Shaun Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-tan/) > [If you want to add visuals to your blog posts, presentations or whatever it is, and you're as bad at drawing as I am,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-cooper/if-you-want-to-add-visuals-to-your-blog-posts-presentations-or/) [Sarah Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-cooper/) > [I like drawing most everything I see, but sometimes the light will hit something in a certain way that I just cannot capture the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-polan/i-like-drawing-most-everything-i-see-but-sometimes-the-light-will-hit/) [Jason Polan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-polan/) > [In drawing, I often think of things as flying buttresses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/in-drawing-i-often-think-of-things-as-flying-buttresses/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [Just draw 'cause you love it, you know, I think that's why you should be doing it. You should always be doing art for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-way/just-draw-cause-you-love-it-you-know-i-think-that-s-why-you-should-be/) [Gerard Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-way/) > [Usually I commit to something in my head and then I start drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-davis/usually-i-commit-to-something-in-my-head-and-then-i-start-drawing/) [Jim Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-davis/) > [What happens if you start drawing squares? Well, I'd say the answer to that is, don't get famous for drawing circles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-anastasio/what-happens-if-you-start-drawing-squares-well-i-d-say-the-answer-to/) [Trey Anastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-anastasio/) > [I always start drawing any job by planning out to some degree the locales and trying to nail the characters. If they're existing characters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-gibbons/i-always-start-drawing-any-job-by-planning-out-to-some-degree-the/) [Dave Gibbons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-gibbons/) > [I actually start drawing things. Usually they're abandoned before I commit too much time and effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-clowes/i-actually-start-drawing-things-usually-they-re-abandoned-before-i/) [Daniel Clowes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-clowes/) > [I start drawing, and eventually the characters involve themselves in a situation. Then in the end, I go back and try to cut out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-start-drawing-and-eventually-the-characters-involve-themselves-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You are the creator. Get out that old box of paints and brushes and start drawing love into your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mcgahan/you-are-the-creator-get-out-that-old-box-of-paints-and-brushes-and/) [Kate McGahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mcgahan/) > [I felt the need to get back to painting and I thought the best way was to start drawing, so I enrolled in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-wright/i-felt-the-need-to-get-back-to-painting-and-i-thought-the-best-way/) [Peter Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-wright/) ## More by Toyin Odutola > [I'm really interested in independent publishers and memes and mini comics. But even before that, I was interested in Japanese manga and anime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-m-really-interested-in-independent-publishers-and-memes-and-mini/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [For a while, I was nervous about portraying women because of the objectification that automatically comes with it, whether the artist intends or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/for-a-while-i-was-nervous-about-portraying-women-because-of-the/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [The social media bit is really about documenting process. I like the dialogue if it's constructive, but I'm now at a crossroads. I've accumulated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/the-social-media-bit-is-really-about-documenting-process-i-like-the/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [I needed to create something I could take with me wherever I went.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-needed-to-create-something-i-could-take-with-me-wherever-i-went/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [I dont think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose I need it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-dont-think-about-race-before-i-start-drawing-i-think-about-how-to/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [I kept wanting to push my image as validity; I wanted to see my portrait on a wall and know it was okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-kept-wanting-to-push-my-image-as-validity-i-wanted-to-see-my/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [Being a black artist, the first thing people want to talk about is your blackness, the importance of your blackness, and your black presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/being-a-black-artist-the-first-thing-people-want-to-talk-about-is/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [For a while, I was nervous about portraying women because of the objectification that automatically comes with it, whether the artist intends or not.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/for-a-while-i-was-nervous-about-portraying-women-because-of-the-2/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [Where some may see flat, static narratives, I see a spectrum of tonal gradations and realities. What I am creating is literally black portraiture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/where-some-may-see-flat-static-narratives-i-see-a-spectrum-of-tonal/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [It's kind of a language I've developed over time that's basically breaking up the face into components and planes. Inside each plane, I draw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/it-s-kind-of-a-language-i-ve-developed-over-time-that-s-basically/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [Kerry James Marshall especially was a huge influence on me in graduate school, as were Wangechi Mutu and Julie Mehretu. These artists are titans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/kerry-james-marshall-especially-was-a-huge-influence-on-me-in/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [I moved around a lot when I was a child; two of the houses I grew up in have totally disappeared. One was burnt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-moved-around-a-lot-when-i-was-a-child-two-of-the-houses-i-grew-up/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [I started blogging because I didn't know if I wanted to be an artist. I wanted to talk to other people online who were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-started-blogging-because-i-didn-t-know-if-i-wanted-to-be-an-artist/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [The graphic style itself is influenced by a lot of very layered and detailed comics that I read as a kid, like 'Vagabond' by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/the-graphic-style-itself-is-influenced-by-a-lot-of-very-layered-and/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) > [My identity is not based on performance; it's based on something that's pre-determined by someone else, and I don't even understand what that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/my-identity-is-not-based-on-performance-it-s-based-on-something-that/) [Toyin Odutola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) [Explore all 20 Toyin Odutola quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose I need it to fulfill.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Toyin Odutola" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start-drawing-i-think-about-how-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start-drawing-i-think-about-how-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54f/toyin-odutola-27779_about_i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start_1966345.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I don't think about race before I start drawing. I think about how to make that mark to fit whatever purpose…” — Toyin Odutola", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Toyin Odutola", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyin-odutola/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I don't think about race before...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start-drawing-i-think-about-how-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyin-odutola/i-don-t-think-about-race-before-i-start-drawing-i-think-about-how-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```