Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. was the book for this month’s book club with Deb Prewitt of Blue Twig Studio. The book is
quick to read, full of humor, and advice on being an artist. Austin Kleon wrote and illustrated the book as advice he
would give to his younger self.
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon |
Back of book listing chapter headings |
He starts out stating that nothing is original – "There is
nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes
1:9 - that an honest artist “steals”
his ideas - that we learn by copying. Copying isn't plagiarism, it's about reverse engineering to see how it works.
Salvador Dali said, "Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing."
Wilson Mizner said "If you copy from one person, it's plagiarism, but if you copy from many,
it's research".
Gary Panter said, "If you have one person you're influenced by, everyone will say you're the
next whoever. But if you rip off a hundred people, everyone will say you're so original."
Pablo Picasso said, “Art is theft.”
Another thing I do that Kleon suggests is always carry paper
to jot down thoughts, observations, doodles, conversations, etc. He says to
keep a “swipe” file (digital or analog) of stuff you’ve swiped from others – notes, pictures, sayings – anything for inspiration.
Mark Twain says, “It is better to take what does not belong to you than to let
it lie around
neglected.”
Kleon also says don’t just steal style,
steal the thinking behind the style. Don’t look like you’re hero, see like your
hero. Study, transform and remix. Make art that you want to see. Write stories that you want to read. Write not what you know, but what you like! Add something to the world that
only you can add.
German writer Goethe said, “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.”
I love his advice to practice productive procrastination! Work on several projects at one time – when stuck
on one, move to another – eventually you’ll figure out the first one and be
able to finish it. I do enjoy working on more
than one project at a time for just that reason.
The secret is to share with people. Wonder about something and then invite others
to wonder with you. The more open you
are, the closer people feel to you. Be curious, kind, have stamina, and a willingness to look stupid. And finally, instead of wasting anger complaining or lashing out, channel it into
creativity.
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon |
The last thing that really struck me was Kleon’s statement
that creativity is subtraction. Choose what to leave out, so can concentrate on what’s really
important. He gave an example about Dr. Seuss, who wrote The Cat in the Hat with 236 different words. When his editor bet him that he couldn't write a book with only 50 different words, Dr. Seuss won with Green Eggs and Ham. It’s often what the artist chooses to leave out that makes
the art interesting. Creativity isn’t just the things we choose to put in, it’s
the things we choose to leave out.
This is a good book to read more than once for the advice and suggestions! Makes me want to read Austin Kleon's latest book, Show Your Work: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered.
Have fun.
Next month's book is "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield.
I haven't yet read the other book, but I'm sure it is fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteI have the book on hold at the library. I'll let you know what I think once I read it.
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