I wanted to translate from one flat surface to another. In fact my learning disabilities controlled a lot of things. I don't recognize faces so I'm sure it's what drove me to portraits in the first place.

Leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character it requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint.

Imagination the traitor of the mind has taken my solitude and slain it.

The moment a person forms a theory his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory.

Good humor isn't a trait of character it is an art which requires practice.

There is something uniquely depressing about the fact that the National Portrait Gallery's version of the Barack Obama 'Hope' poster previously belonged to a pair of lobbyists. Depressing because Mr. Obama's Washington was not supposed to be the lobbyists' Washington the place we learned to despise during the last administration.

I do portraits. I usually do live models in a class environment but I've been painting at home more. I really love the human form and I love faces. I've tried to do landscapes a few times.

Obama is capable - as evidenced by his first-term success with health care reform. But mandate-building requires humility a trait not easily associated with him.

I see nothing wrong with the human trait to desire. In fact I consider it integral to our success mechanism. Becoming attached to what we desire is what causes the trouble. If you must have it in order to be happy then you are denying the happiness of the here and now.

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.

I suppose I'm intrigued with the bad traits of society because I'm a part of society and the bad traits pose the dangerous questions for our future.

A trait which differentiated New York from European cities was the incredible freedom and ease in which life including sexual life could be carried on on many levels.

Havin' fun while freedom fightin' must be one of those lunatic Texas traits we get from the water - which is known to have lithium in it - because it goes all the way back to Sam Houston surely the most lovable the most human and the funniest of all the great men this country has ever produced.

But short films are not inferior just different. I think the short gives a freedom to film-makers. What's appealing is that you don't have as much responsibility for storytelling and plot. They can be more like a portrait or a poem.

I think in the end when you're famous people like to narrow you down to a few personality traits. I think I've just become this ambitious say-whatever's-on-her-mind intimidating person. And that's part of my personality but it's certainly not anywhere near the whole thing.

Among famous traitors of history one might mention the weather.

It has always seemed strange to me... the things we admire in men kindness and generosity openness honesty understanding and feeling are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest sharpness greed acquisitiveness meanness egotism and self-interest are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.

We march and fight to death or on to victory. Our might is right no traitors shall prevail. Our hearts are steeled against the fiery gates of hell. No shot or shell can still our mighty song.

When I was little we had a Golden Book that had all these Disney characters in one portrait on the first page. My dad used to read from it every night. We'd play this game of find Pluto or find Donald Duck. He'd read us stories and do all the voices. Those are great memories.

Courage enlarges cowardice diminishes resources. In desperate straits the fears of the timid aggravate the dangers that imperil the brave.

Traits like humility courage and empathy are easily overlooked - but it's immensely important to find them in your closest relationships.

You don't change the course of history by turning the faces of portraits to the wall.

Among the best traitors Ireland has ever had Mother Church ranks at the very top a massive obstacle in the path to equality and freedom. She has been a force for conservatism... to ward off threats to her own security and influence.

I recognize in thieves traitors and murderers in the ruthless and the cunning a deep beauty - a sunken beauty.