But 'Playboy' was liberating. I was drawn to it and went for it full throttle. LeRoy Neiman More Quotes by LeRoy Neiman More Quotes From LeRoy Neiman Ive zeroed in on what you would call action and excellence... Everybody who does anything to try to succeed has to give the best of themselves, and art has made me pull the best out of myself. LeRoy Neiman excellence giving art It's not the act of arrogance to draw, it's humbling - you must use your God-given talent. And of all the people I sketch, in most cases I feel I have to measure up to the subject. LeRoy Neiman arrogance use people It's a nice feeling to go out in the world and look for excellence - the best in man. My subject is very valid. It's about people, and about life. LeRoy Neiman nice men people Boxing is my real passion. I can go to ballet, theatre, movies, or other sporting events... and nothing is like the fights to me. I'm excited by the visual beauty of it. A boxer can look so spectacular by doing a good job. LeRoy Neiman passion real jobs I played an artist in a comedy called 'Rooster.' It was a zany film by Glen Larson, a friend who produced several successful television series including 'Magnum PI. LeRoy Neiman roosters artist successful I don't know if I'm an impressionist or an expressionist. You can call me an American first... I've been labeled doing neimanism, so that's what it is, I guess. LeRoy Neiman call-me style firsts I had a go at changing history - maybe not all by myself - I fought at the battle of Normandy, I slogged through the Ardennes, and I celebrated the liberation of Paris on the streets with beautiful French girls throwing flowers at me. I said good-bye to my first true love and discovered what I really wanted to do with my life. LeRoy Neiman girl beautiful goodbye Some people try to paint in my style. Some simply sell pirated copies of my work. Some claim to be my publisher or agent or even my exclusive representative, when they are not. LeRoy Neiman style trying people When I paint, I seriously consider the public presence of a person - the surface facade. I am less concerned with how people look when they wake up or how they act at home. A person's public presence reflects his own efforts at image development. LeRoy Neiman effort home people The people who love my paintings, that respond to them the most, they're spectators, they're not viewers. LeRoy Neiman spectators painting people I draw all the time. Drawing is my backbone. I don't think a painter has to be able to draw, I just think that if you draw, you better draw well. LeRoy Neiman drawing able thinking You know what I like about San Francisco? The women are beautiful, fashionable and smart. San Francisco is one of the only cities I like to visit. I love New York and Chicago - I studied there, and L.A. has the same people as New York. LeRoy Neiman smart new-york beautiful Throughout my life, cigars have played different roles for me. They fit easily and well in the various stages and experiences Ive had -- like a companion, almost. If youve smoked a long time, as I have, they become part of you. LeRoy Neiman roles different long I love the passion you go through while you're creating. LeRoy Neiman creating passion I can easily ignore my detractors and feel the people who respond favorably. LeRoy Neiman i-can feels people The businessman says 'If I don't do it first, somebody else will.' The artist says 'If I don't do it first, nobody else will.' LeRoy Neiman businessman artist firsts I've got the public. I don't care about the critics. I did at one time. I don't any more. I did when I needed compliments. But if you get a lot of compliments, you don't need a critic to tell you, 'This should be done another way.' LeRoy Neiman compliments-you done needs I guess I created LeRoy Neiman. Nobody else told me how to do it. Well, I'm a believer in the theory that the artist is as important as his work. LeRoy Neiman important theory artist I always stayed in tune with my own ambitions and attitudes and I'm still my intractable old self, for better or worse. LeRoy Neiman ambition self attitude My lovely wife Janet has been in a few paintings. She is basically a reserved woman who has never sought the limelight. She has always been there throughout my career and continues to be at my side. LeRoy Neiman lovely wife careers
