The dialogue with nature remains for the artist the condition sine qua non. The artist is a man. He is himself nature, a part of nature within the domain of nature. […]

Today, the artist is better and more subtle than a camera… he is a creature upon earth and a creature within the universe; a creature on one star among other stars. […]

[The artist's] progress in the observation and vision of nature gradually let him accede to a philosophical vision of the universe which allows him freely to create abstract forms… Thus, the artist creates works of art, or participates in the creation of works, which are an image of the creative work of God… Just as children imitate us while playing, so we, in the game of art, imitate the forces which created, and continue to create, the world… Natura naturans is more important to the painter than natura naturara.

Paul Klee