Charles Rennie Mackintosh Quotes

“Art is the Flower - Life is the Green Leaf.

Let every artist strive to make his flower a beautiful living thing, something that will convince the world that there may be, there are, things more precious more beautiful – more lasting than life itself...

You must offer real, living – beautifully coloured flowers – flowers that grow from, but above, the green leaf – flowers that are not dead – are not dying – not artificial – real flowers springing from your own soul – not even cut flowers.

You must offer the flowers of the art that is in you – the symbols of all that is noble – and beautiful – and inspiring – flowers that will often change a colourless leaf – into an established and thoughtful thing.”

“Art is the flower... life the green leaf.”

“Life is the leaves which shape and nourish a plant, but art is the flower which embodies its meaning.”

“There is hope in honest error; none in the icy perfections of the mere stylist.”

“Without you, everything has a flatness. I feel as if I'm waiting for something all the time.”

“You must be Independent, Independent, Independent - don't talk so much but do more - go your own way and let your neighbour go his...

Shake off all the props - the props tradition and authority give you - and go alone - crawl - stumble - stagger - but go alone.”