Summary
"Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon is a guidebook for creatives of all types who want to jumpstart their creativity and find inspiration. The book is set up as a series of 10 principles or guidelines for how to be creative.
The general idea of the book is that all artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives are constantly influenced by the work of others, and that it's okay - even encouraged - to "steal" ideas and techniques from others in order to create something new. Kleon emphasizes the importance of borrowing ideas and combining them with your own unique perspective to create something original.
Throughout the book, Kleon offers a range of practical advice and inspiration, such as how to find creative inspiration in your daily life, how to overcome creative blocks, and how to cultivate a creative community. He also delves into the importance of embracing failure and the idea that it's okay to make work that's not perfect.
Overall, "Steal Like an Artist" is a witty and engaging read that's full of practical tips and inspiring ideas for aspiring creatives. The book encourages readers to embrace their own unique perspectives and creative instincts while acknowledging the role that others play in inspiring and influencing their work.
The general idea of the book is that all artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives are constantly influenced by the work of others, and that it's okay - even encouraged - to "steal" ideas and techniques from others in order to create something new. Kleon emphasizes the importance of borrowing ideas and combining them with your own unique perspective to create something original.
Throughout the book, Kleon offers a range of practical advice and inspiration, such as how to find creative inspiration in your daily life, how to overcome creative blocks, and how to cultivate a creative community. He also delves into the importance of embracing failure and the idea that it's okay to make work that's not perfect.
Overall, "Steal Like an Artist" is a witty and engaging read that's full of practical tips and inspiring ideas for aspiring creatives. The book encourages readers to embrace their own unique perspectives and creative instincts while acknowledging the role that others play in inspiring and influencing their work.
Key ideas
1. Embrace your influences - According to Kleon, nothing is completely original. Every artist is influenced by other people and their work. It is essential to embrace these influences and use them to create something unique. For example, Kleon suggests taking a famous painting and changing it in some way to make it your own.
2. Don't wait for inspiration - Kleon argues that waiting for inspiration is a myth. He encourages artists to create something every day, even if it is just a quick sketch or a few lines of writing. By doing this, he explains, creativity becomes a habit rather than a fleeting moment of inspiration.
3. Collect and curate - Kleon believes that every artist should have a collection of inspiration. This could be anything from a Pinterest board to a notebook filled with quotes and ideas. The key is to continuously add to this collection and curate it regularly. This allows for a well of inspiration that can be drawn from during times of creative block.
4. Remix and repurpose - Kleon believes that creativity often comes from taking something old and making it new. He encourages artists to remix and repurpose existing work to create something fresh. For example, Kleon suggests taking a well-known song and writing new lyrics for it.
5. Share your work - Kleon states that the act of sharing your work is essential for growth as an artist. Feedback and criticism help artists improve and grow, and sharing your work allows for this to happen. He encourages artists to post their work online and attend open mic nights to gain exposure.
Overall, "Steal Like an Artist" teaches the principle of embracing influence, making creative habits, collecting inspiration, remixing existing work, and sharing creations. The book emphasizes that creativity is a process of borrowing and improving, rather than starting from scratch.
2. Don't wait for inspiration - Kleon argues that waiting for inspiration is a myth. He encourages artists to create something every day, even if it is just a quick sketch or a few lines of writing. By doing this, he explains, creativity becomes a habit rather than a fleeting moment of inspiration.
3. Collect and curate - Kleon believes that every artist should have a collection of inspiration. This could be anything from a Pinterest board to a notebook filled with quotes and ideas. The key is to continuously add to this collection and curate it regularly. This allows for a well of inspiration that can be drawn from during times of creative block.
4. Remix and repurpose - Kleon believes that creativity often comes from taking something old and making it new. He encourages artists to remix and repurpose existing work to create something fresh. For example, Kleon suggests taking a well-known song and writing new lyrics for it.
5. Share your work - Kleon states that the act of sharing your work is essential for growth as an artist. Feedback and criticism help artists improve and grow, and sharing your work allows for this to happen. He encourages artists to post their work online and attend open mic nights to gain exposure.
Overall, "Steal Like an Artist" teaches the principle of embracing influence, making creative habits, collecting inspiration, remixing existing work, and sharing creations. The book emphasizes that creativity is a process of borrowing and improving, rather than starting from scratch.
Quotes
1. "Creativity is not a talent, it's a way of operating."
2. "You don't have to be a genius, you just have to be yourself."
3. "Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again."
4. "Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination."
5. "The best way to get started on the path to sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others."
6. "The secret: do good work and share it with people."
7. "The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not."
8. "The only way to find your voice is to use it."
9. "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started."
10. "You are the sum of your influences."
2. "You don't have to be a genius, you just have to be yourself."
3. "Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again."
4. "Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination."
5. "The best way to get started on the path to sharing your work is to think about what you want to learn, and make a commitment to learning it in front of others."
6. "The secret: do good work and share it with people."
7. "The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not."
8. "The only way to find your voice is to use it."
9. "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started."
10. "You are the sum of your influences."
Action items
1. Step 1: "Steal like an artist." The author encourages readers to borrow ideas from others and learn from their work to fuel their own creativity. This does not mean copying or plagiarizing, but rather taking inspiration and remixing it in new and unique ways.
2. Step 2: "Write the book you want to read." Kleon advises writers to create the kind of content they would want to consume themselves. This means finding a balance between creating something original and catering to the interests of a particular audience.
3. Step 3: "Use your hands." The author encourages readers to step away from technology and engage in analog activities, such as drawing or handwriting notes. This can help spark creativity and break up the monotony of digital work.
4. Step 4: "Side projects and hobbies are important." Kleon stresses the importance of pursuing interests outside of one's main creative work. This can help prevent burnout and allow for cross-pollination of ideas.
5. Step 5: "The secret: do good work and share it with people." The author emphasizes the importance of putting effort into one's work and then sharing it with others to gain exposure and feedback.
6. Step 6: "Geography is no longer our master." With the rise of technology, Kleon notes that one's physical location is no longer a limiting factor when it comes to creative endeavors. He encourages readers to think globally and tap into a wider audience online.
7. Step 7: "Be nice. (The world is a small town.)" Finally, the author reminds readers to treat others with kindness and respect, recognizing that the creative world is often a tightly-knit community and reputation is everything.
2. Step 2: "Write the book you want to read." Kleon advises writers to create the kind of content they would want to consume themselves. This means finding a balance between creating something original and catering to the interests of a particular audience.
3. Step 3: "Use your hands." The author encourages readers to step away from technology and engage in analog activities, such as drawing or handwriting notes. This can help spark creativity and break up the monotony of digital work.
4. Step 4: "Side projects and hobbies are important." Kleon stresses the importance of pursuing interests outside of one's main creative work. This can help prevent burnout and allow for cross-pollination of ideas.
5. Step 5: "The secret: do good work and share it with people." The author emphasizes the importance of putting effort into one's work and then sharing it with others to gain exposure and feedback.
6. Step 6: "Geography is no longer our master." With the rise of technology, Kleon notes that one's physical location is no longer a limiting factor when it comes to creative endeavors. He encourages readers to think globally and tap into a wider audience online.
7. Step 7: "Be nice. (The world is a small town.)" Finally, the author reminds readers to treat others with kindness and respect, recognizing that the creative world is often a tightly-knit community and reputation is everything.