Richard Macdonald Quotes

Powerful Richard Macdonald for Daily Growth

About Richard Macdonald

Richard Macdonald (1936-present) is an accomplished Canadian author, poet, and playwright, renowned for his profound explorations of human emotions and relationships. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Macdonald was the son of Scottish immigrants, which played a significant role in shaping his cultural identity. He developed a love for literature at a young age and honed his writing skills throughout his academic career, earning a degree from McGill University. Macdonald's literary journey began with poetry, publishing his first collection "Eagle Over Water" in 1963. His verse is characterized by its evocative imagery and deep introspection, reflecting the complexities of human experiences. In the following decades, he expanded into playwriting and prose, producing works that continue to resonate with readers worldwide. One of his most notable works, "The Amherst Trilogy" (1970-1974), is a series of novels set in Nova Scotia during the 19th century, exploring themes of family, community, and the struggle for survival amidst harsh environmental conditions. The trilogy garnered critical acclaim and established Macdonald as a prominent figure in Canadian literature. Throughout his career, Macdonald has been influenced by a diverse range of writers, including William Faulkner, James Joyce, and Leonard Cohen. He is known for his unique storytelling style, blending historical fiction with poetic prose to create immersive narratives that transport readers into the heart of his stories. Richard Macdonald continues to write and publish today, leaving a lasting impact on Canadian literature and inspiring generations of writers to come. His work serves as a testament to the power of words in capturing the human spirit and our collective emotional journey.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

This quote by Richard MacDonald suggests that a positive outlook on life, where one acknowledges and appreciates its richness and beauty, leads to an enriched experience of life itself. By celebrating and praising life, we open ourselves up to more experiences worth celebrating. In essence, the quote encourages us to embrace a mindset of gratitude and optimism, which in turn can create a fulfilling and meaningful life journey.


"Life isn't happening to you, it's responding to you."

This quote suggests that our perception and actions shape our experiences in life rather than events happening randomly or beyond our control. In other words, we don't just passively receive what life throws at us; instead, our reactions, choices, and attitudes determine how life unfolds for us. This perspective encourages personal responsibility and empowers individuals to create their own destinies by actively shaping their responses to life's challenges and opportunities.


"Love yourself first and everything else falls into place."

The quote emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-acceptance as a foundational step in life. By loving oneself, one establishes a strong sense of identity, confidence, and well-being. This self-love serves as a foundation that supports the harmonious flow of other aspects of life, such as relationships, personal growth, and overall happiness. In essence, the quote suggests that inner peace and fulfillment stem from loving oneself first.


"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

The quote emphasizes that age should not be a barrier for setting new goals, pursuing ambitions, or dreaming new dreams. It encourages individuals to maintain an open mind and keep striving for growth and personal fulfillment, regardless of their current age or achievements. Essentially, it's never too late to learn, achieve, or strive towards something that excites you, inspiring a sense of optimism and resilience in the face of challenges.


"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." (This quote is often attributed to Richard Branson but was actually said by Richard M. DeVos, co-founder of Amway.)

This quote emphasizes that challenges serve as the driving force in life, making it interesting and stimulating. Overcoming these challenges, on the other hand, gives our lives a sense of purpose and significance. It underscores the importance of pushing through adversity to achieve growth, resilience, and fulfillment.


China is important to the world in that they are a force and on the move. Exposing them to figurative art opens up a potential for artistic expression far greater than anyone would ever have dreamed possible until today. It is this very spirit of the struggle and determination to triumph that inspires creative expression.

- Richard MacDonald

Determination, World, Very, Exposing

I've had over a dozen models come in and pose fro me live for these new Cirque pieces. Cirque is a world-wide phenomenon and they are just incredible athletes. I've been to all the performances and am really fascinated by all of their productions.

- Richard MacDonald

Been, Had, Phenomenon, World-Wide

Sculpture will last a lot longer than painting.

- Richard MacDonald

Last, Longer, Lot, Sculpture

I use zero photography. I have a photographic memory and a complete knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and an interest in grasping the moment of what is happening, not just the outside, but the inside out.

- Richard MacDonald

Memory, Anatomy, Grasping, Photographic

These guys are just flying through the air and I'm capturing them in the split second and putting it into a work of art, via clay to the bronze.

- Richard MacDonald

Art, Through, Putting, Capturing

You have to make thousands and thousands of drawings before an illustration is perfected.

- Richard MacDonald

Before, Drawings, Thousands, Illustration

I was tired of illustration. You'd work so hard on a commission and it would go in to a magazine, and you'd turn the page and it was gone.

- Richard MacDonald

Work, Tired, Go, Illustration

I was headed in the wrong direction. I didn't think I'd make it to 21. My Uncle Chuck saved my life. He was a graphic designer, and he gave me my first sketchbook. In the front, he wrote, 'Wear it like your underwear.'

- Richard MacDonald

My Life, Saved, Uncle, Underwear

I'm also interested in creating a lasting legacy for collectors because bronze will last for thousands of years so I'm not really selling the art to this particular collector but it is being passed on.

- Richard MacDonald

Art, Legacy, Last, Bronze

I do everything. Of course, I have 50 people who work for me to do the drudgery of mold making and all the foundry. This is an enormous task. But every stroke in these sculptures is from my hands.

- Richard MacDonald

Hands, Making, Sculptures, Drudgery

There is a connection between me and the collectors, and as admirers of the work they tell me about the differences the pieces are able to make in their lives on a daily basis.

- Richard MacDonald

Work, Daily Basis, Lives, Admirers

I can actually feel the interior body of a dancer. I have the ability to capture a split second... I want you to be hit with whatever the essence is of this sculpture.

- Richard MacDonald

Want, Feel, Essence, I Want You

I am only limited by the amount of life I have left to capture the ideas I am already working on. Another problem is that I am not sure if I would rather create or collect art. Collecting art is another passion of mine.

- Richard MacDonald

Art, Mine, Amount, Collect

Charity work is very important to me and gives me an opportunity to give back to my community. I've always been a big supporter of many different charities, have donated millions of dollars to them, and it just feels great to do and be able to help others, especially children.

- Richard MacDonald

Big, Very, Donated, Help Others

At any one time, I'll have 30 to 40 pieces going on in the studio, so this is not economically driven at all.

- Richard MacDonald

Going, Studio, Any, One Time

I create for artistic intent only and do everything from life.

- Richard MacDonald

Create, Only, Artistic, Intent

I'm a classically trained painter, and I was an illustrator in New York working with Fortune 500s companies as well as the NBA and the Olympics. I first got into sculpting when I created a sculpture based on a painting I had done for the 1984 Olympics.

- Richard MacDonald

Got, Had, Trained, Sculpting

I never had a job. I bought my first house within a year of getting out of school, and I built a custom one four and a half years later. The Art Center didn't teach much about business, but I learned a lot from the Fortune 500 companies that were my clients.

- Richard MacDonald

Year, Clients, Half, Custom

The greatest success is creating whatever you want without conditions. I don't do commissions unless I really want to, because it's like having a job.

- Richard MacDonald

Success Is, Like, Having, Conditions

My goal is to make fine art, and fine art comes from the soul. If you have virtuosity and facility, you can take and create something of significance.

- Richard MacDonald

Art, Soul, Goal, Significance

There are very few people who do what I do.

- Richard MacDonald

People, Few, Very, Few People

I cannot tell you how many people, powerful people, come to my studio and they are in tears they are so moved by what they see.

- Richard MacDonald

Tell, Studio, Moved, Tears

I don't do commissions and I like the freedom to create what my heart or mind tells me to.

- Richard MacDonald

Freedom, Mind, Like, Tells

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