make your own damn world

March 20th, 2012

Just stop thinking, worrying, looking over your shoulder wondering, doubting, fearing, hurting, hoping for some easy way out, struggling, grasping,…Stop it and just DO!…

Don’t worry about cool, make your own uncool. Make your own, your own world. If you fear, make it work for you – draw & paint your fear and anxiety…

You must practice being stupid, dumb, unthinking, empty. Then you will be able to DO!…

Try to do some BAD work – the worst you can think of and see what happens but mainly relax and let everything go to hell – you are not responsible for the world – you are only responsible for your work – so DO IT. And don’t think that your work has to conform to any preconceived form, idea or flavor. It can be anything you want it to be…

I know that you (or anyone) can only work so much and the rest of the time you are left with your thoughts. But when you work or before your work you have to empty you [sic] mind and concentrate on what you are doing. After you do something it is done and that’s that. After a while you can see some are better than others but also you can see what direction you are going. I’m sure you know all that. You also must know that you don’t have to justify your work – not even to yourself.

excerpted from a letter from Sol Lewitt to Eva Hesse

(i believe i have already posted this years ago but it bears repeating. again and again.)

Mar 21 2012
4:22 am

folkscallmejonny writes:

“Just do it” – The Nike copywriters are obviously Sol Lewitt fans.

Mar 21 2012
4:29 am

folkscallmejonny writes:

Sometimes we have to operate in environments which are judgemental and less than supportive. As soon as you have to start watching your back this is going to limit a creative response.

Mar 21 2012
5:26 am

Henning Sorensen writes:

This is so right. I know this by heart. Sometimes (often) I forget it or ignore it. So thanks for the reminder.

Mar 21 2012
8:53 am

Melany writes:

Thanks for doing some Sol searching & posting this : )

Mar 21 2012
9:44 am

Cathy Walters writes:

brilliant!!!!!! I’m quoting this on my blog today…this message needs to spread. Wow.

Mar 21 2012
10:04 am

Caatje writes:

I had never seen this before, so thank you. Words we all should live by!

Mar 21 2012
10:18 am

Sean Shimmel writes:

Down in Miami right before he died, my father savored all of life with this approach… even down to how he did his laundry.

Twice a week he’d hoist the basket into the car down the street to the local laundromat… dressed in the simplicity of a baggy tank top, sandals and… a pair of men’s underwear (purple nonetheless). He had no time or interest in looking around for a pair of shorts.

He was washing his clothes and enjoying his weekly chats with friends.

If he can do that with life and laundry then I can do it with art and photography.

PS… I, however, DO wear pants :)

Mar 21 2012
2:21 pm

Deanne writes:

I hadn’t read this before either. Thanks. Also never thought of Sol Lewitt as being so open.

Mar 21 2012
2:38 pm

Carren writes:

Thank you for this great reminder. I had read this a long time back and forgotten about it.

Mar 21 2012
3:23 pm

Liz Hamilton writes:

Good stuff as always, Keri. Thanks for this:)

Mar 21 2012
3:35 pm

zura writes:

I had not seen this. Love it and really needed it today. Thanks!

Mar 21 2012
9:22 pm

sonrie writes:

Absolutely. I will share this with my clients in my art therapy studio.

Mar 22 2012
12:03 pm

Still wrecking writes:

Thanks a million. This came to me at exactly the right moment! Feeling insecure about my next move in a new profession: independent artist… (finding also great comfort in your “Artist’s survival kit” lately!).
Thanks again!

Mar 22 2012
2:14 pm

lisa writes:

have you seen the new book “How To Steal Like An Artist”? An excellent manifesto.
Love your stuff– working though “…not a book” now. Have done Mess 2x and Wreck 1ce.

Mar 23 2012
8:44 am

Gaia writes:

Have you ever been onto NGA Kids? It’s this amazing art thing and your blog post reminded me of that. Especially Brushter. (http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/brushster.htm)

Mar 23 2012
9:44 pm

kiana writes:

your awesome Keri!!!!!!!!!!!! great message

Mar 26 2012
6:41 am

Fern writes:

I remember reading it the first time you posted it.
I even remember that I was standing at the back of a classroom reading it and had to leave the room to breath a bit.

Mar 28 2012
5:29 pm

aniya writes:

hey let me join

Apr 4 2012
10:40 am

Thomasina writes:

This is JUST what I needed! I have discovered my ‘inner crafty’ in the last year–and I worry what I do is not good enough even tho potential customers tell me otherwise–Just DO is right. Thank you for posting this!!

Apr 12 2012
8:36 am

Vero Lora Kiwi writes:

I LOVE YOUR BOOKS.

Jun 4 2012
4:23 pm

Dan writes:

thanks keri for reminding poeple.and mostly for reminding me.I needed that.

Dec 20 2012
12:34 am

georgia-rose writes:

THANKS,i needed that extra boost to my life and i am so gonna print this off :)