... I believe firmly that the artist should paint and not talk; if the artist has a statement to make it should be made in terms of line, tone and color ... The main reason I believe it is impossible to give an adequate explanation or translation to a painting is that a painting is entirely dependent on its own vocabulary, which is visual rather than verbal.
As you can see ... I avoid subject matter, concentrating on the idea rather than having painting represent a particular scene or object. I, of course, am of the opinion that subject matter detracts or de-emphasizes the idea.