From a discussion on artdc.org.

“Art is an addiction.  There’s a compulsive need to create and express your self.  It’s sweet and painful at the same time.  Art is Junk.  People think they can control it, do it just once in a while, but that’s just a lie created by one’s own arrogance.  Art is all consuming.  There’s no such thing as a part time artist.  There are those who make a living, and those who don’t, be we think about it 100% of the time whether it’s our bread winner or not.  When I’m not making art, I’m thinking about what I’m going to create next, and if I’m not doing that, I’m suffering from the lack of inspiration, and completely aware of it at that moment.  It’s an addiction, full of love, pain, and tolerance for the lack of freedom to do what you want as you’re fighting to survive, learn a new technique, or find that next moment of joy that are few and far between.  Art takes arrogance and the need to learn, practice, steal, mimic, progress, and create new ideas.”

-Jesse Cohen