"Inspiration does exist, but it must find you…

“Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working” has been cited in print and credited to Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) since 2007. There is no documentary evidence that he ever said it.

Spanish poet Vicente Aleixandre (1898-1984) was asked in 1977 for advice to young poets, and he responded, “Inspiration does exist. But you have to find it.” It’s possible that this quotation got mistranslated and then misattributed (to Picasso).

7 October 1977, Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), “Be Loyal: Poetry ‘Precise’ Communication” by United Press International, pg. 42, col. 1:
Asked for his advice to young poets, Nobel laureate Vicente Alexandre said, “Inspiration does exist. But you have to find it.”

Quotation Collection
Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.
Pablo Picasso
Added on: April 2, 2007

Somalia Online
Conspiracy
2007-10-05 08:25
Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.
Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)

Google Books
Publishing Tips:
Weekly Strategies for the Independent Writer
By Linda A. Lavid
Buffalo, NY: Full Court Press
2008
Pg. 27:
Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working.
- Pablo Picasso

flickr
Shiroi (Bob)
Taken on July 26, 2008
Inspiration does exist
...but it must find you working. -Pablo Picasso (1881-1973).

Google Books
“The Greatest Quotations of All-Time”
By Anthony St Peter
Xlibiris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2010
Pg. 348:
Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working. Pablo Picasso