Quotes by Cy Twombly

About Cy Twombly:

Edwin Parker "Cy" Twombly, Jr. was an American painter, sculptor and photographer. He belonged to the generation of Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns but made the specific choice to live in Europe (Italy) after 1957.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

I look at a lot of artists. I'm inspired by - I suppose I shouldn't say 'inspired,' but it's not really influenced. I am inspired. Art comes from art.

Cy Twombly

I used to change things in my early paintings to get the nuance or feeling I wanted, but now I plan everything in my head before I do it.

Cy Twombly

Virginia is a good start for Italy.

Cy Twombly

Once I said to my mother: 'You would be happy if I just kept well-dressed and had good manners,' and she said: 'What else is there?'

Cy Twombly

My parents were from New England. It's very funny, but when I grew up, you always had to say, 'Yes, ma'am' and 'Yes, sir.'

Cy Twombly

I love my sculptures, and I was lucky I had them for 50 years because no one would look at them, and I really liked having them around.

Cy Twombly

It's absurd to talk about paintings that you haven't finished.

Cy Twombly

I hate roses. Don't you? It's all right if you can hide them in a cutting garden, but I think a rose garden is the height of ick.

Cy Twombly

I was brought up to think you don't talk about yourself.

Cy Twombly

The Mediterranean is always just white, white, white.

Cy Twombly

White paint is my marble.

Cy Twombly

To my mind, one does not put oneself in place of the past; one only adds a new link.

Cy Twombly

I have my pace and way of living, and I'm not looking for something.

Cy Twombly

I swear if I had to do this over again, I would just do the paintings and never show them.

Cy Twombly

Graffiti is linear, and it's done with a pencil, and it's like writing on walls.

Cy Twombly

Graffiti is usually a protest - ink on walls - or has a reason for being naughty or aggressive.

Cy Twombly

I would've liked to have been Poussin, if I'd had a choice, in another time.

Cy Twombly

I don't work 9 to 5.

Cy Twombly

I work in an impatient way.

Cy Twombly

Author Bio

  • NameCy Twombly
  • DescriptionAmerican painter
  • AliasesEdwin Parker Twombly; Edwin Parker "Cy" Twombly, Jr.
  • BornApril 25, 1928
  • DiedJuly 5, 2011
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionPainter; Sculptor
  • WorksThe Ceiling
  • AwardsKnight Of The Legion Of Honour; ; Praemium Imperiale