Steal like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Steal Like an Artist is a book by Austin Kleon from the Trilogy that he has created which includes Show Your Work and Keep Going.

Steal Like an Artist is a short, inspiring book that is full of practical advice for creative people. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to be more creative in their work or life.

Introduction

In his book Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon argues that nothing is original. All creative work builds on what came before. Artists should embrace their influences and not be afraid to "steal" from the work of others.

Stealing?

It does not mean plagiarism or copying someone else's work exactly.

Instead, take inspiration from the work of others and use it to create something new. He calls this "collage" or "mash-up."

There is no such thing as a truly original idea. All creative work is built on the ideas that came before it. As Pablo Picasso, who said, "Good artists copy, great artists steal."

Picasso was not suggesting that artists should plagiarize the work of others. He was simply saying that artists should be open to taking inspiration from the work of others and using it to create something new.

Some tips for artists who want to be more creative:

• Start creating now.

  • Don't wait until you feel like you're ready.

  • Just start making something.

• Don't be afraid to experiment.

  • Try new things and see what happens.

• Collage your influences.

  • Don't try to be a single genre or style of artist.

  • Collect the things you love and let them inspire you to create something new and unique.

• Work hard and be persistent.

  • There's no shortcut to success.

  • You have to put in the time and effort to develop your skills and build your audience.

• Don't be afraid to fail.

  • Failure is a part of the creative process.

  • Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

• Don't let criticism or praise get to you.

  • Focus on your own work and don't let other people's opinions dictate your creative journey.

The book is divided into 10 ideas:

1. Steal Like an Artist

2. Don't Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started

3. Write the Book You Want to Read

4. Use Your Hands

5. Side Projects and Hobbies Are Important

6. The Secret: Do Good Work and Share It with People

7. Geography Is No Longer Our Master

8. Be Nice (The World Is a Small Town)

9. Be Boring (It's the Only Way to Get Work Done)

10. Creativity Is Subtraction

Steal Like an Artist

The best way to be creative is to be a "magpie."

A magpie is a bird that collects shiny objects and other bits and pieces.

Let these things inspire you to create something new. Do not be afraid to "steal" from the work of others. There is no such thing as a truly original idea.

All creative work is built on the ideas that came before it. So, don't be afraid to take inspiration from the work of others.

Use it to create something new and unique.

Here are some key takeaways:

• There is no such thing as a truly original idea.

  • All creative work is built on the ideas that came before it.

• Don't be afraid to "steal" from the work of others.

  • Take inspiration from the things you love and use it to create something new.

• Collect the things you love.

  • This could be anything from the work of other artists to the everyday objects around you. Let these things inspire you to create something new.

• Be a magpie.

  • Don't be afraid to collect shiny objects and other bits and pieces. These things can be a source of inspiration for your creative work.

• Don't be afraid to fail.

  • Failure is a part of the creative process.

  • Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

Don't Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started

Artists should start creating now. There is no need to wait until you feel like you're ready. Just start making something.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of the creative process. It's how you learn and grow.

The best way to find your voice is to just start creating. The more you create, the more you'll learn about yourself and your own style.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Just start making something.

  • You don't have to wait until you know who you are to start creating.

• Experiment and try new things.

  • Don't be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of the creative process.

• Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

  • The creative process is all about learning and growing.

• Don't be afraid to change your mind.

  • Your creative identity is not set in stone. It can evolve over time.

Write the Book You Want to Read

Create the things they want to see in the world. The best way to be creative is to be inspired by the things you love.

Do not be afraid to experiment. The best way to find your voice is to try new things and see what happens.

The best way to be creative is to be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. Just create the things you love and let your passion shine through.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Create the things you want to see in the world. 

  • If you want to read a book about a certain topic, write it yourself.

  • If you want to see a certain movie, make it yourself.

• Don't take yourself too seriously. 

  • Just enjoy the process of creating.

• Be yourself. 

  • Don't try to be someone you're not. Your audience will be able to tell if you're being fake.

Use Your Hands

The best way to learn is by doing. Get your hands dirty and make things. The more we create, the better we will become at creating.

Use different mediums, such as drawing, painting, and photography. Each medium has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and it is important to experiment with different mediums to find the ones that work best for you.

Make Mistakes. Mistakes are a natural part of the creative process, and we should not be afraid to make them. but learn from them.

Here are some key takeaways:

• It helps you to connect with your creativity.

  • When you're making something with your hands, you're using all of your senses.

  • This helps you to tap into your subconscious and to come up with new ideas.

• It helps you to learn by doing.

  • When you're making something, you're forced to experiment and figure things out for yourself.

  • This is a great way to learn new skills and improve your craft.

• It helps you to build confidence.

  • When you see that you can create something with your own hands, it gives you a sense of accomplishment.

  • This can boost your confidence and make you more likely to continue creating.

• It helps you to connect with others.

  • When you share your creations with others, it can spark a conversation and build relationships.

  • This is a great way to connect with people who share your interests.

Side Projects and Hobbies Are Important

Side projects and hobbies are important for creativity. Side projects allow us to explore our interests and to experiment with new ideas and also help us to stay motivated and to avoid getting burned out.

Here are some key takeaways:

• They can help you to explore different creative interests.

  • When you're working on a side project or hobby, you're free to experiment and try new things.

  • This can help you to discover new creative interests and to expand your artistic horizons.

• They can help you to build skills and to improve your craft.

  • When you're working on a side project or hobby, you're forced to learn new skills and improve your craft.

  • This can make you a more well-rounded artist and can help you to achieve your creative goals.

• They can help you to network with other artists.

  • When you share your side projects and hobbies with others, you can meet other artists and build relationships.

  • This can be a great way to collaborate on future projects and to get feedback on your work.

• They can help you to stay motivated.

  • When you're working on a side project or hobby, you're doing something that you're passionate about.

  • This can help you to stay motivated and to keep creating.

The Secret: Do Good Work and Share It with People

The secret to success is to do good work and to share it with people.

We should not be afraid to put our work out there, even if we are not sure if it is good enough. The best way to get feedback on our work is to share it with others.

Use social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest depending on where your audience lives.

Here are some key takeaways:

• It can help you to get feedback on your work.

  • When you share your work with others, you can get their feedback on what they like and what they don't like.

  • This can help you to improve your work and make it more appealing to a wider audience.

• It can help you to connect with other artists.

  • When you share your work with others, you can meet other artists and build relationships.

  • This can be a great way to collaborate on future projects and to get support from other artists.

• It can help you to build a following.

  • When you share your work with others, you can start to build a following of people who are interested in your work.

  • This can help you to promote your work and to get more exposure.

• It can help you to achieve your creative goals.

  • When you share your work with others, you can start to achieve your creative goals.

  • You can get your work seen by a wider audience, you can get feedback on your work, and you can build a community of supporters.

Geography Is No Longer Our Master

We can be creative anywhere in the world, thanks to the internet. We can connect with other creative people from all over the world, and we can share our work with the world at large.

When you think that geography is no longer our master:

• It can help you to be more open-minded.

  • When you're exposed to different cultures and perspectives, it can help you to see the world in a new light.

  • This can make you a more creative thinker and a more well-rounded person.

• It can help you to be more innovative.

  • When you're exposed to new ideas and challenges, it can help you to come up with new and creative solutions.

  • This can help you to be more successful in your career and in your life.

• It can help you to connect with others.

  • When you share your work with a global audience, you can connect with people from all over the world.

  • This can help you to build relationships, to learn new things, and to be inspired by others.

• It can help you to make a difference in the world.

  • When you use your creativity to address global issues, you can make a positive impact on the world.

Be Nice (The World Is a Small Town)

The creative community is a small world, and we should treat each other with respect.

We should be willing to help each other out, and we should be supportive of each other's work.

Why even should you be nice to other people?

• It can help you to build relationships.

  • When you're nice to other artists, you're more likely to build relationships with them.

  • This can be helpful for collaboration, for getting feedback on your work, and for just feeling supported in your creative journey.

• It can help you to learn new things.

  • When you're nice to other artists, they're more likely to share their knowledge and resources with you.

  • This can help you to learn new things and to grow as an artist.

• It can help you to stay motivated.

  • When you see other artists being successful, it can motivate you to keep creating.

  • This is especially important when you're feeling discouraged or when you're facing challenges.

• It can help you to make a difference in the world.

  • When you're nice to other artists, you're creating a more positive and supportive environment for creativity.

  • This can help to make the world a better place.

Be Boring (It's the Only Way to Get Work Done)

It’s important to be boring. Being boring means being focused and disciplined.

We need to be able to sit down and work on our projects, even when we do not feel like it. The only way to get work done is to be boring.

Every procrastinator’s story about how they would always put off their work until the last minute. until they realized that this was not a sustainable way to work.

Starting to force yourself to sit down and work on the projects, even when it doesn’t feel like it can help you become more productive.

Some points to remember:

• Set realistic goals.

  • Don’t try to do too much at once.

  • Start with small, achievable goals and gradually work your way up.

• Break down large projects into smaller tasks.

  • This will make them seem less daunting and more manageable.

• Create a routine.

  • Find a time of day when you’re most productive and stick to it.

• Eliminate distractions.

  • This means turning off your phone, closing your email, and finding a quiet place to work.

• Take breaks.

  • Don’t try to work for hours on end without taking a break.

  • Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air.

• Reward yourself.

  • When you reach a goal, give yourself a small reward.

  • This will help you stay motivated.

Creativity Is Subtraction

Creativity is often about subtraction. It's about taking away the unnecessary and focusing on the essential.

The best artists are masters of subtraction. They know what to leave out and what to keep in.

The Mona Lisa is a masterpiece because it is so simple. Leonardo da Vinci didn't add a lot of unnecessary detail to the painting. He focused on the essential elements, such as the woman's face and hands.

Creativity is about making choices. When you're creating something, you have to choose what to include and what to exclude.

You have to choose the right words, the right images, and the right sounds. And sometimes, the best choice is to leave something out altogether.

Creativity is not about adding more. It's about subtracting the unnecessary and focusing on the essential. It's about making choices that make your work stronger and more powerful.

Here are some additional tips on how to be more creative through subtraction:

• Simplify.

  • Don't try to do too much at once.

  • Focus on the essential elements of your work and leave out the rest.

• Edit.

  • Don't be afraid to edit your work.

  • Cut out anything that is unnecessary or doesn't add value.

• Focus.

  • When you're creating, focus on one thing at a time.

  • Don't try to do too many things at once.

• Experiment.

  • Try different things and see what works.

  • Don't be afraid to fail.

• Be patient.

  • It takes time to create something great.

  • Don't expect to get it right the first time.

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