Inspiring Quotes || Creative Determination

I sometimes get caught up in my creative failures, and that can feel real heavy. It makes it harder to start the next weave and sometimes all the future ideas I had just blow out of my head because I’m stuck on the one idea that didn’t work out. Isn’t that silly? So today, I’m focusing on this great quote by Andy Warhol to help remind me (and maybe you too) to not be so hard on myself.

Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.

-Andy Warhol

Creating is not a guarantee of a beautiful, mind-blowing outcome. It is simply the act of bringing something into existence that wasn’t there before. This quote doesn’t just apply to those who are trying to make art. I feel it applies to all of us who are creating, even if your weaving as a relaxing hobby.  As I thought about it, there were a lot of ideas in this quote that stood out to me.

Don’t try to be perfect

Even if you’re weaving for fun, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting your weave to come out perfectly. I know from my own experience that I get caught up in wanting my weave to look exactly how I imagined before I even started it, or when I feel like I just don’t like how it is looking. I touched on this a few weeks ago and in that post I talked about trusting your gut and knowing when to make corrections, but it’s also important to not over work your creations. Sometimes the best creative solution is to just let it be.  You might even find a time or two when you come back to find that you have started to like what you created.

Don’t worry what others think

This is really the main idea of the quote for me. When you create, the process means so much more then the outcome. You’re expressing yourself through creating, so even if you end up with the weirdest, ugliest thing, it doesn’t matter. You had made what you needed to at that time and now you can move on. This is especially important for those of you who are trying to sell your weaves. If you worry too much about what others like, then you will lose your artistic style. Also if you focus on just one thing that others really like, you will eventually get creatively stagnant and that isn’t good in the long run. If you come up with a design that others love, great! But don’t forget to keep experimenting and pushing yourself forward.

Be authentic to your own style

Expanding on this idea of not worrying what others think, you should stay true to yourself. If you have an urge to make something in black and white, but the trend is the latest Pantone colors, follow your gut. Make what your creativity is telling you to make.  Push all that other stuff out of your head and go your own way.  And actually, those that follow their own creativity are the ones that set the trends. But don’t even get caught up in that, the point is you are expressing yourself. You are sharing with others your artistic view, which is unique to you! And if you happen to set a trend, then celebrate and keep going.

Embrace your creativity in all forms

That crazy idea that keeps popping into your head? Try it! It might not work, but then again it might be the best thing ever. Either way, you’re definitely going to learn and grow as a creative. Don’t talk yourself out of these ideas, try them to the best of your ability and maybe try them again later as your ability grows.

Be determined

This Warhol quote ends with the words “make even more art” and I love that. It talks about the determination to keep creating. As a mother, I watched my young boys learning to walk and it was really amazing. It might sound cliché, but when you see it first hand you really see the world differently. They each were determined to walk, and yes I encouraged them, but even if I didn’t I think they would have still tried. They fell down hundreds of times and it never fazed them. They never once had the thought, maybe this isn’t for me. They just kept going until they grew into (professional, haha) walkers. I envy that they didn’t have the awareness at the time to doubt themselves and hope that they hold on to that for as long as possible. If little children can accomplish such a huge thing with determination, then just imagine what we can do if we could tap into that same determination again. Maybe 11 weaves didn’t work out, but you kept going and by making your 12th weave you found your groove.  With time and practice you can only get better.

Do you have your own experience with pushing through projects that didn’t go as well as you had hoped? Or maybe a quote that you find inspiring when you’re feeling in a rut? I’d love to hear how you deal with these creative downs.

Happy Weaving!

Kate

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