"An artist is forced by others to paint out of his own free will"

This quote by Willem de Kooning suggests that an artist is often pressured or influenced by external forces to produce art, despite the fact that the act of developing is eventually an individual choice. Using the word "required" suggests a sense of commitment or duty, as if the artist is expected to produce art despite their own desires. However, the phrase "out of his own free will" recommends that the artist still has agency and autonomy in their imaginative procedure. This quote highlights the complex relationship in between an artist and their work, and the external factors that can impact their artistic expression.