"I'm a bit claustrophobic, I don't like crowds, I live by the sea - that's what I see when I come out..." — David Hockney

I've always wanted to be able to paint the dawn.

It's no good saying I wished I could go out more, because I can't. But I don't bother about it too much.

I stay up nights and fiddle with my opera designs. It's a bit obsessive. That's why I can't do it all the time.

Britain is a very small country with a very large press.