Just Some Thoughts

Inspiring Quotes || Creative Determination

Creative Determination | The Weaving LoomI 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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  • judy leffler
    April 26, 2016 at 2:20 pm

    I am new to all this but am really loving doing a weaving. The other day I got my loom ready using a pinkish colored yarn just to try. Ripped that off and now it’s yellow and the weave will/is going to be in greens and yellow. Struggled last night with doing the finish before you start part and ripped that out and started over and still don’t know if I have it right. My other weaving with it looks much better and was done correctly. This one I am not doing ever notch on the loom because I’m going to give it a go with using roving. After reading some of your posts though on roving and the structure of it I might need to rip this one off the loom and go with every notch. lol These weavings are giving me something to do to pass the time so onward and upward, hopefully!

    • Kate
      April 27, 2016 at 4:39 pm

      You’re doing great Judy! Starting over can be frustrating, but it’s great that you keep trying. I bet in the end you’ll make something really lovely!

  • judy leffler
    April 26, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    Oh, forgot to say that I love your posts and your such a great inspiration to all of us! Happy weaving!

    • Kate
      April 27, 2016 at 4:40 pm

      Thanks so much. You’re so kind 🙂

  • Judy Thomas
    April 26, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Hi Kate

    I’m a new weaver, not arty or crafty at all really…however I’m loving the process and working with wool. I heard about you through The Unusual Pear here in Australia. Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your posts and your site. And how you always post stuff that I need to read on that day! Like this post! I thought I was the only one feeling like this. Andy Warhol certainly got it right with this quote. I’m going to keep this in mind in future. Thanks for sharing your love of weaving. You really are helpful and an inspiration.

    Cheers
    Judy (Ha another one!)

    • Kate
      April 27, 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Thanks Judy (another one 😉 ) I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying my site and that this post helped too. You’re definitely not alone, creating is hard at times. Have a great day!

  • Laura Patmore
    April 26, 2016 at 8:28 pm

    OMG This couldn’t have been sent out at a better time honestly! I have a local near to me who has been bad mouthing my work out of pure competition. I have been so upset about it. Thank you so much for sharing this quote. It’s so true, and something that I will be printing out and putting on the wall! Community over competition. Art is there for all to share and do and love.
    xxxxx

    • Kate
      April 27, 2016 at 5:06 pm

      Hi Laura, I’m so sorry to hear that someone is bad mouthing your work, that is a really hard thing to experience. I absolutely agree with you about art and community and I’m glad to hear you’re going to keep doing your thing 🙂

  • Stacy
    April 27, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    I’ve ripped out my work many times because it didn’t feel right. Then there were times that I didn’t like the pattern but I kept going. When I finished it and looked at it again, I realized that I was starting to like it. But yes it’s frustrating to put your time into a creation and find that you hated it….but just keep pressing on and you may surprise yourself….

    • Kate
      April 28, 2016 at 10:54 am

      Hi Stacy! Yes, I think the hardest part is knowing when to ripe out and try again, when to keep going anyway (because you like it later), and when to just stop. If I get really stuck I give myself a metal break and try to come back to it fresh before deciding what to do. 🙂

  • Lea
    April 28, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Very encouraging to any type of artist! Thank you for your post

    • Kate
      April 28, 2016 at 10:54 am

      Hi Lea, you’re right it does apply to all artists 🙂