"Each of us lives an original life. In nature, there is no sameness. No two rocks are alike. No two people are alike. No moment is like another moment. We are born to do certain things. We are born to fill a certain need. We are born as verbs, not nouns."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
Source: Judy Martin blog, July 16, 2023
"That which seems like a false step is just the next step."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
Source: Oliver Burkeman. Meditations for Mortals. Toronto: Allen Lane/Penguin Random House Canada, 2024; p. 9.
via: Sketchbook K 11, 2025, p. 45.
"Art is the concrete representation of our most subtle feelings."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via: Art Alternatives Knapsack Sketchbook 2019 i, 2020, p. 26.
"When your eyes are open you see beauty in anything."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
Source: Judy's Journal Blog July 24, 2018.
via: Anvil Sketchbook, 2018, p. 72.
"It is through discipline and tremendous disappointment and failure that you arrive at what it is you must paint."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via: Anvil Knapsack Sketchbook 2017, p. 30.
"A lot of good things don't get made because of too much thinking."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via: Sketchbook 27, 2015, p. 104.
"There is no way to describe the reward of absolute obedience. Any response to art is obedience. I wish I could point out how authoritative art work is dependent on the obedient state of mind.... When we see that all the authority there is, is within ourselves as a result of our obedience then we are free."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via: Sketchbook 21, 2013, p. 65
"For an artist this is the only way. There is no help anywhere. He must listen to his own mind."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
Source: Agnes Martin. "Beauty is the mystery of life." Agnes Martin. New York: Whitney Museum of American Art, 1992; p. 10.
Note: "Mind" as used by Martin does not imply intellect. Rather it suggests receptivity to inspiration, awakened sensibility, and intuition. To listen is to pay attention, take note, and reflect.
via: Sketchbook 17, 2012, p. 137.
"Many artists live socially without disturbance to mind, but others must live the inner experience of mind, a solitary way of living."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via Sketchbook 11, 2010, p. 86
"Beauty is the mystery of life."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
via Sketchbook #26, p. 28
"Say to yourselves: I am going to work in order to see myself and free myself. While working and in the work I must be on the alert to see myself. When I see myself in the work I will know that that is the work I am supposed to do. I will not have much time for other people's problems. I will have time to be by myself almost all the time and it will be a quiet life."
–– Agnes Martin (1912-2004), Canadian-born American abstract painter
Source: Agnes Martin. Writings Schriften. Edited by Dieter Schwartz, Kunstmuseum Winterthur Edition Cantz 1991; p. 73.
