“I am doubtful of any talent, so whatever I choose to be, will be accomplished only by long study and work. I fear it will be forced and mechanical. Architecture interests me, but not in the sense painting and sculpturing does… As to what I would like to be, it is difficult to say. An artist of some kind. If nothing else I shall always study the Arts. People have always frightened and bored me, consequently I have been within my own shell.”

— Jackson Pollock at age 17 in a letter to his brothers Charles and Frank. [l]