Getting out of my own way creatively

I’ve been wondering if too much thinking is holding me back. You need to think things through and have a game plan, but you must know when to stop! Just that one thought too far, and you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole, where you find yourself in a place where you are trying too hard to control everything. The truth is, sometimes the best things happen when you plot a course and let it be!

Take this little piece of artwork, for example.

Study in drawing free style Celtic knot work

The backstory is that I was sick with the flu on the day I made this sketch—or study, to be more precise. On this particularly miserable afternoon, I needed something to do that didn’t require too much thought or effort. I just wanted to DO something because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired! I watched a YouTube artist (Patrick Gallagher) create freestyle Celtic knots and was inspired to try something similar.

So, I’ve been experimenting lately with drawing and creating Celtic knots and developed a fascination with them. I’ve fallen in love! Something about them draws me in, and creating one—even when it is hard work—feels spiritual and even magical. Knotwork--as it turns out--can come in many styles, and there are just as many techniques to drawing these impressive art pieces. I usually use a very well-thought-out grid design when I draw new patterns (like the ones pictured below), but I wanted to see what would happen if I stopped micro-managing the process. It would be interesting to create something more intuitive. Turns out it was a scary yet freeing experience! 
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Study in drawing round border Celtic knots

Celtic Charm by Di's Studio Designs. Photo by Diane M. Lilly.

​And so on this awful afternoon—coughing, sneezing, whining, aching, coughing some more, and trying not to pee myself every time I coughed (yeah, it’s a thing when you reach a certain age!)—I decided to sit and try out a freestyle knot. I put the pencil on the paper and let it go in any direction, not thinking about patterns or results. My only consideration was not to create too many crossovers close together. So, I drew my initial guideline. Then, I drew my double lines, erased my guidelines, constructed my overs-and-unders, and shaded to create a 3D effect. I cleaned it all up, took a snapshot, and posted it to Instagram. And then I looked at it…

This is not a great work of art—just a study of technique. But something strange and almost eerie happened here. Remember I said I did not plan the line direction or pattern, just let the pencil go where it wanted to go? Now, look again at my freestyle drawing…Do you see the “D” clear as day in the center? I did not plan that! Now look again…Do you see the cursive “L” incorporated into the “D” pattern? These are my initials!! D.L. There it is as plain as day…but I did NOT try to create that effect! I had no idea it was even there until I was finished and was critiquing my work to see what I liked and did not like about the drawing. 

Something about this experience hit a nerve. I realized I think too much! Some of the best things materialize when I plot a course and have faith that I am going in the right direction. But when I fall into the trap of thinking…and thinking…and thinking…(OVER thinking) I find that I only get in my way. I then fail to see the obvious stuff that could be sitting right in front of me! And I miss opportunities because I am just too focused somewhere else. 

What are your thoughts on intuition and control in art? Have you had similar experiences? Were you surprised by the results? Would it have worked out as well if you had tried to control the outcome?

Share your thoughts and experiences!

Shop for Celtic-inspired wood-burned decor by Di's Studio Designs here!

Related blog posts you may want to read:
Basic Celtic Knot tutorial part 1
Celtic Knot tutorial part 2
The Celtic Motherhood Knot, a symbol of love
Celtic Tree of Life
A foray into customizable artwork
Celebrating Irish Celtic Art for St. Patrick's Day