--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more…" description: "\"I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso. I'm an artist in that light. I went from bein..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png" --- # I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to… ![“I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso. I'm an artist in that light. I went from being an artist to an artiste.” quote by Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png) > “I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso. I'm an artist in that light. I went from being an artist to an artiste.” [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He likens artistic growth to a sponge, absorbing influences to better express his vision, echoing Picasso’s creative process. **In simple terms:** Artists absorb experiences to sharpen their expression. Key Takeaway Absorb, then create. Themes creativity learning artistry Mood inspirational thoughtful Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - studio sessions - creative workshops - mentorship programs Key Concepts influence absorption artistic evolution Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance influence with originality? - When does absorption become imitation? A Different Perspective Absorbing too much can dilute personal voice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artiste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artiste/) [Being an artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-an-artist/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [When I started, I was 23 years old directing my own music videos; I'm co-producing on my album; I'm hands-on with everything. I'm more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asap-rocky/when-i-started-i-was-23-years-old-directing-my-own-music-videos-i-m/) [ASAP Rocky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asap-rocky/) > [I love to surround myself with people who are the best at what they do. My idea is I want to be a sponge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kreesha-turner/i-love-to-surround-myself-with-people-who-are-the-best-at-what-they/) [Kreesha Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kreesha-turner/) > [My mom was a housewife and a sponge, who would absorb everything and make it all look like a fairytale when he entered the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-charan/my-mom-was-a-housewife-and-a-sponge-who-would-absorb-everything-and/) [Ram Charan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-charan/) > [I wanted to get out of this country and experience different ways of seeing the world. So I went to Europe, but I went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/i-wanted-to-get-out-of-this-country-and-experience-different-ways-of/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [“Our friend was slightly nervous; that went with his character as a student of fine prose, went with the artist’s general disposition to vibrate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/our-friend-was-slightly-nervous-that-went-with-his-character-as-a/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [Like Picasso, I go through blue periods, green periods, or grey periods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-rykiel/like-picasso-i-go-through-blue-periods-green-periods-or-grey-periods/) [Sonia Rykiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-rykiel/) > [In general, in painting sometimes people like Picasso or somebody are not very well known in the beginning, sometimes they become well known just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/in-general-in-painting-sometimes-people-like-picasso-or-somebody-are/) [Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/) > [I said, I don't want to paint things like Picasso's women and Matisse's odalisques lying on couches with pillows. I don't want to paint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellsworth-kelly/i-said-i-don-t-want-to-paint-things-like-picasso-s-women-and-matisse/) [Ellsworth Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellsworth-kelly/) > [For me it's a dedication to your real interests. It's an ability to be open-minded. Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/for-me-it-s-a-dedication-to-your-real-interests-it-s-an-ability-to-be/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [Raising a child is a little like Picasso's work; in the beginning he did very conventional representational things. Cubism came after he had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/raising-a-child-is-a-little-like-picasso-s-work-in-the-beginning-he/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [“Every quote is like a Picasso. The meaning is different for each person and half the admirers miss the true intent and twisted humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-alder/every-quote-is-like-a-picasso-the-meaning-is-different-for-each/) [Shannon Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-alder/) > [I feel a lot of cities are like, you go and you are trying to do your art, and there are so many other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-june/i-feel-a-lot-of-cities-are-like-you-go-and-you-are-trying-to-do-your/) [Valerie June](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-june/) > [There is a constant ebb and flow in art historical reputations. The reputation of even the greatest figures like Picasso are in flux.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/there-is-a-constant-ebb-and-flow-in-art-historical-reputations-the/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Our artistic heroes tend to be those self-exercisers, like Picasso, and Nabokov, and Wallace Stevens, who rather defiantly kept playing past dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/our-artistic-heroes-tend-to-be-those-self-exercisers-like-picasso-and/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [People can see you on TV sloshing paint around with big four-inch brushes, and I learned to talk to camera in a friendly voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/people-can-see-you-on-tv-sloshing-paint-around-with-big-four-inch/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) ## More by Usher > [The unique essence of being an artist is dying. Eveything looks the same. Now there’s a formula. And it works. - But it takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/the-unique-essence-of-being-an-artist-is-dying-eveything-looks-the/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [It's a mission for me to make sure that philanthropy doesn't feel like a vintage hand-me-down from mom or dad. I want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/it-s-a-mission-for-me-to-make-sure-that-philanthropy-doesn-t-feel/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [Ursher, baby. Yeah. Did it again and this time I'mma make you scream. Usher...Yeah man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/ursher-baby-yeah-did-it-again-and-this-time-i-mma-make-you-scream/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [There's always that one person, That will always have your heart. That one person for me is you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/there-s-always-that-one-person-that-will-always-have-your-heart-that/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [I'm so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse's death. I'm so happy I knew you Amy...Rest Well. Gone Too Soon...we'll miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/i-m-so-sad-to-hear-the-horrible-news-of-amy-winehouse-s-death-i-m-so/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [Going nowhere fast. We've reached the climax.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/going-nowhere-fast-we-ve-reached-the-climax/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [Let me take you to a place nice and quiet. There ain't no one there to interrupt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/let-me-take-you-to-a-place-nice-and-quiet-there-ain-t-no-one-there-to/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [You don't know how good it feels to call you my girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/you-don-t-know-how-good-it-feels-to-call-you-my-girl/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [It's seven o' clock nn the dot, I'm in my drop top cruisin the streets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/it-s-seven-o-clock-nn-the-dot-i-m-in-my-drop-top-cruisin-the-streets/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [Somebody has to look out for and protect our kids, and I feel blessed to be a blessing to someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/somebody-has-to-look-out-for-and-protect-our-kids-and-i-feel-blessed/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [The more youth begin to recognize that they have a voice, the more change is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/the-more-youth-begin-to-recognize-that-they-have-a-voice-the-more/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [“She thinks that I'm full of it, always pissed, man I'm tired, every kiss, that I miss, girl you know I'm trying, you never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/she-thinks-that-i-m-full-of-it-always-pissed-man-i-m-tired-every-kiss/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [The beauty about living in Atlanta is that there aren't too many paparazzi here; you can just relax. And that really works for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/the-beauty-about-living-in-atlanta-is-that-there-aren-t-too-many/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [If you don't EVOLVE, you dissolve. You evolve or you evaporate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/if-you-don-t-evolve-you-dissolve-you-evolve-or-you-evaporate/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) > [We all possess exactly what we need to be our greatest selves...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/we-all-possess-exactly-what-we-need-to-be-our-greatest-selves/) [Usher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) [Explore all 113 Usher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso. I'm an artist in that light. I went from being an artist to an artiste.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Usher" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more-i-am-able-to-articulate-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Able" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more-i-am-able-to-articulate-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/467/usher-4264_able_i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more_1947914.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso…” — Usher", "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": "Usher", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usher/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm a sponge, the more I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more-i-am-able-to-articulate-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usher/i-m-a-sponge-the-more-i-absorb-the-more-i-am-able-to-articulate-my/#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 } } ] } ```