Francisco Costa Quotes

It's important for me that anything I lend my stamp to must have a perspective that is uniquely mine.

The way I work is not the way that you work, and the whole point of any creative act is that. What I have to offer is me, what you have to offer is you, and if you offer yourself with authenticity and generosity I will be moved.

In anything you do, it's important to have your own personality there.

My style is all to myself.

I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original.

The fact that I have been successful merely means that I can write and illustrate in my own way.

I'm not going to be able to play it like somebody else.

I like to create something that's unique and kind of true to myself and authentic and everything. I don't really like to mirror myself after different artists.

My attitude with covers is, make it your own or else leave it alone.

I was so big, so I had to always come up with my own creations. Like, when I would do junior prom and stuff, I would have stuff specially made or added to my outfit. I definitely was always into trying to do something a little over and beyond.

I don't care if it's somebody else's song. Most of the time, you'll find that I'll put my own stamp on it. But I started writing more because, you know, it's easy to regurgitate what somebody else is doing, but it's exciting to be able to come up with your own writing.

My biggest challenge in my career is not looking or sounding like anybody.

To live is to express, and to express you have to create. Creation is never merely repetition. To live is to express oneself freely in creation.

I say, play your own way. Don't play what the public want - you play what you want and let the public pick up on what you doing - even if it does take them fifteen, twenty years.

Finally and most important of all, authenticity means that you must do what you do the way you do it and allow everyone else the same courtesy. There was a time I wanted to be like every famous writer that ever lived. I tried to copy styles, reframe information, use similar artwork. I almost drove myself crazy! Now I just do what I do. I have mentors. There are people whose work I admire, but I write the way I write. I eat the way I eat. I dress the way I dress. I can't believe that God made us each so unique only to have us do everything the same way.

Don't worry about trying to develop a style. Style is what you can't help doing. If you write enough, you draw enough, you'll have a style, whether you want it or not. Don't worry about whether you're "commercial". Tell your own stories, draw your own pictures. Let other people follow you.

I've been called a stylist until I really could tear my hair out. And I simply don't believe in style. The style is you.

Anything you do, let it come from you. Then it will be new.

Imitation always stinks. When I take photos, I don't go back. I don't look at the past. I'm always original.

Don't be a prisoner of your own style!

Just because I had a winner, it doesn't mean I'm gonna be like, "OK, I need a new 'Successful.'" That's silly. I just don't want anything to sound like anything else, which I hope is everybody's vision.

My style is unique and it's my own. I do not try to copy or imitate anybody.

I had no reason to want to copy anybody else. What I wanted to give audiences for the few minutes that I thought my career would last was something unique.

It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.

I'm a smart enough person to know that I don't want everyone to be cookie-cutter versions of the nine guys who wear Converse sneakers.