When I first made a grid, I happened to be thinking of the innocence of trees, and then a grid came into my mind and I thought it represented innocence, and I still do, and so I painted it and then I was satisfied. I thought, ‘This is my vision.’
Agnes Martin
People who look at my painting say that it makes them happy, like the feeling when you wake up in the morning. And happiness is the goal, isn’t it?
Agnes Martin
The main thing in making art often is letting go of your expectation and your idea.
Agnes Martin
The value of art is in the observer.
Agnes Martin
I think everyone is born 100 percent ego, and after that it’s just adjustment.
Agnes Martin
Art is the concrete representation of our most subtle feelings.
Agnes Martin
Artwork is a representation of our devotion to life.
Agnes Martin
I don’t think the way to succeed is by doing something aggressive. Aggression is weak-minded.
Agnes Martin
Any material may be used but the theme is the same and the response is the same for all artwork… we all have the same concern, but the artist must know exactly what the experience is. He must pursue the truth relentlessly.
Agnes Martin
Happiness is being on the beam with life – to feel the pull of life.
Agnes Martin
I’m very careful not to have ideas, because they’re inaccurate.
Agnes Martin
You can’t make a perfect painting. We can see perfection in our minds. But we can’t make a perfect painting.
Agnes Martin
When I think of art I think of beauty. Beauty is the mystery of life. It is not in the eye it is in the mind. In our minds there is awareness of perfection.
Agnes Martin
The Minimalists are idealist. They want to minimize themselves in favor of the ideal… But I just can’t. You see, my paintings are not cool.
Agnes Martin
My paintings are not about what is seen. They are about what is known forever in the mind.
Agnes Martin
To progress in life you must give up the things you do not like. Give up doing the things that you do not like to do. You must find the things that you do like. The things that are acceptable to your mind.
Agnes Martin
My paintings are certainly nonobjective. They’re just horizontal lines.
Agnes Martin
One thing I like about Zen. It doesn’t believe in achievement.
Agnes Martin
The worst thing you can think about when you’re working is yourself.
Agnes Martin