It is only after years of preparation that the young artist should touch color – not color used descriptively, that is, but as a means of personal expression. – Henri Matisse
Drawing is like making an expressive gesture with the advantage of permanence. – Henri Matisse
A picture must possess a real power to generate light and for a long time now Ive been conscious of expressing myself through light or rather in light. – Henri Matisse
What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter – a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue. – Henri Matisse