Steal Like an Artist
In his renowned book “Steal Like an Artist,” Austin Kleon presents ten transformative principles that have the power to revolutionize your creative journey. By adopting these principles, you can cultivate your own artistic style, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful work. Let’s delve into each principle and explore how they can inspire and guide you:
1. Steal like an Artist
Embrace the notion that creativity is a culmination of existing ideas. By drawing inspiration from the work of others, you can build upon and remix their concepts to create something uniquely your own.
2. Don’t Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started
Don’t let the fear of uncertainty or self-doubt hold you back. Start creating and experimenting now, allowing the process to shape your identity and artistic voice along the way.
3. Write the Book You Want to Read
Focus on creating work that resonates with your own interests, passions, and values. By staying true to yourself, you’ll forge a genuine connection with your audience and find fulfillment in your creative endeavors.
4. Use Your Hands
While technology offers convenience, don’t overlook the power of hands-on methods. Engaging your physical senses can fuel inspiration and add a tangible and personal touch to your creative process.
5. Side Projects and Hobbies Are Important
Explore diverse interests and pursue side projects and hobbies outside your primary artistic pursuit. These ventures provide a playground for experimentation, fresh perspectives, and the discovery of unexpected inspirations.
6. Do Good Work and Share It with People
Create work that you are proud of and share it with the world. By showcasing your creations, you can build a supportive network, gain valuable feedback, and foster connections with fellow artists and enthusiasts.
7. Geography Is No Longer Our Master
In today’s interconnected world, geographical boundaries no longer limit creative collaboration and inspiration. Embrace the global community, seek ideas from diverse sources, and engage in cross-cultural exchanges to broaden your creative horizons.
8. Be Nice (the World Is a Small Town)
Nurture a positive and collaborative attitude within the creative community. Support and uplift fellow artists, share insights, and foster an environment of kindness, generosity, and mutual respect.
9. Be Boring (It’s the Only Way to Get Work Done)
Focus and discipline are vital ingredients for creative success. Eliminate distractions, establish a daily routine, and commit to the work at hand. Embrace the “boring” aspects of the creative process as essential steps towards realizing your artistic vision.
10. Creativity Is Subtraction
Learn the art of removing unnecessary elements from your work to distill it to its essence. By simplifying and refining, you can achieve a more impactful and focused creative output.
