My mother was a piano teacher, my father an inventor. He invented the reflective paint they still use on airstrips. They had faith in my ambition, and I think that made all the difference. Chuck Close airstripambitiondifference Change image and share on social
Inspiration is highly overrated. If you sit around and wait for the clouds to part, it's not liable to ever happen. More often than not, work is salvation. Chuck Close cloudhappenhighly Change image and share on social
I think I was driven to paint portraits to commit images of friends and family to memory. I have face blindness, and once a face is flattened out, I can remember it better. Chuck Close blindnesscommitdrive Change image and share on social
A face is a road map of someone's life. Without any need to amplify that or draw attention to it, there's a great deal that's communicated about who this person is and what their life experiences have been. Chuck Close amplifyattentioncommunicate share on social
It doesn't upset artists to find out that artists used lenses or mirrors or other aids, but it certainly does upset the art historians. Chuck Close aidartartist Change image and share on social
I have no intention of flattering people. I like wrinkles and crow's feet and flaws, and somebody should know, if I'm going to photograph them, that's going to show up, you know? Chuck Close crowflatterflaw Change image and share on social
I wanted to translate from one flat surface to another. In fact, my learning disabilities controlled a lot of things. I don't recognize faces, so I'm sure it's what drove me to portraits in the first place. Chuck Close controldisabilitydrive share on social
Ease is the enemy of the artist. When things get too easy, you're in trouble. Chuck Close artisteaseeasy Change image and share on social
I think the problem with the arts in America is how unimportant it seems to be in our educational system. Chuck Close americaarteducational Change image and share on social
Sculpture occupies real space like we do... you walk around it and relate to it almost as another person or another object. Chuck Close objectoccupyperson Change image and share on social
