There is something endearing about people who give themselves up completely to their faith. But there is likewise something frightening about such a totality, which also is a feature of Islam.
I can, of course, think what I want, just like everyone else. I simply have to refrain from saying everything I think.
The time that I devote to painting is not a lot of time, but I do it 100 percent while I am working, and then there's nothing else that counts.
We are being challenged by Islam these years. There are some things for which one should display no tolerance. And when we are tolerant, we must know whether it is because of convenience or conviction.
There are, of course, always painters whom I admire and find fascinating. I've often thought, 'Goodness, if I could paint like the Danish Golden Age painters, the early 19th century painters, the way they could paint a landscape - absolutely beautiful.'