Every good artist paints what he is. — Jackson Pollock | Printable Wall Art

“Every good artist paints what he is.”

Words by Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) — Abstract Expressionist painter known for drip paintings.

About this quote

This statement suggests that genuine art is always a self-portrait. A painter's canvas directly reflects their inner psyche, mood, and character, regardless of the subject matter. For Pollock, techniques like drip painting were not mere physical actions, but direct expressions of his subconscious. The line emphasises that authenticity in creation comes from exposing one's true identity through the chosen medium.

Jackson Pollock made this remark during a 1950 radio interview with William Wright. It succinctly captures the philosophy of mid-century Abstract Expressionism, which prioritised spontaneous personal expression over traditional visual representation.

People often hang this print in a home studio or creative workspace to inspire authentic personal expression.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.