Georgia O’Keeffe was an influential American artist known for her unique and bold artistic style. Her paintings of flowers, landscapes, and abstract forms have made her one of the most celebrated artists of the 20th century. O’Keeffe’s work expressed her deep connection with nature, and her quotes reflect her artistic philosophy and perspective on life.
In this article, we have compiled a collection of inspiring Georgia O’Keeffe quotes that offer insight into her creative process, passion for art, and appreciation for the beauty of the world around us.
Read on to explore these Georgia O’Keeffe quotes and get inspired by her words of wisdom.
Read these Georgia O’Keeffe Quotes
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.”
“I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me – shapes and ideas so near to me, so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
“One can’t paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt.”
“I know now that most people are so closely concerned with themselves that they are not aware of their own individuality, I can see myself, and it has helped me to say what I want to say.”
“I said to myself, I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me – shapes and ideas so near to me, so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
“I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught. I started directly from my own feelings and began by painting a series of completely abstract things.”
“I often painted fragments of things because it seemed to make my statement as well as or better than the whole could.”
“I feel there is something unexplored about a woman that only a woman can explore.”
“I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me – shapes and ideas so near to me, so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
“It is surprising to me to see how many people separate the objective from the abstract. Objective painting is not good painting unless it is good in the abstract sense. A hill or a tree cannot make a good painting just because it is a hill or a tree. It is lines and colors put together so that they say something.”
“I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty.”
“Nobody sees a flower – really – it is so small – we haven’t time – and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.”
“I wish people were all trees and I think I could enjoy them then.”
“I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me – shapes and ideas so near to me, so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
“I have been absolutely terrified every moment of my life – and I have never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”
“To create one’s own world takes courage.”
“I feel there is something unexplored about a woman that only a woman can explore.”
“I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me – shapes and ideas so near to me, so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
“One can’t paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt.”
“I know now that most people are so closely concerned with themselves that they are not aware of their own individuality, I can see myself, and it has helped me to say what I want to say.”
“I said to myself, I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me – shapes and ideas so near to me, so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn’t occurred to me to put them down.”
“I decided to start anew, to strip away what I had been taught. I started directly from my own feelings and began by painting a series of completely abstract things.”
“I often painted fragments of things because it seemed to make my statement as well as or better than the whole could.”
“I feel there is something unexplored about a woman that only a woman can explore.”
These Georgia O’Keeffe quotes offer a glimpse into the mind of a legendary artist who pushed boundaries and explored new artistic horizons. Her words remind us to trust our instincts, embrace our individuality, and find inspiration in the world around us.
