Intro!
Steal Like an Artist Being creative is an incredibly rewarding experience, and it’s something that anyone can do. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to know where to start or how to make the most of your creativity. In this Book Steal Like an Artist, I’m going to share with you 10 things nobody told you about being creative, based on Austin Kleon’s best-selling book Steal Like an Artist. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of how to tap into your creative potential and create something beautiful. So if you’re ready to start your creative journey, let’s get started!
steal like an artist summary
“Steal Like an Artist” is a book written by Austin Kleon that encourages readers to embrace their creativity by learning from the work of others. The book is divided into ten chapters, each of which offers a different piece of advice or insight on how to cultivate creativity and originality. Some of the key themes of the book include the importance of copying and imitation, the value of drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, and the need to take risks and embrace failure in the creative process. Kleon argues that true originality does not come from a vacuum, but rather from the ability to combine and recombine the ideas and techniques of others in new and innovative ways. He also encourages readers to embrace their quirks and imperfections and to view their creative endeavors as a way to connect with others and make a positive impact in the world.
It’s OK to copy
It’s OK to copy. It’s often said that copying someone else’s work is wrong, but there’s a fine line between stealing and inspiration. The best way to become creative is to take ideas from others and use them as a starting point for your own ideas.
Studying the works of other artists, writers, and musicians can be incredibly inspiring. It’s not plagiarism if you are influenced by something and then make it your own. It’s not stealing if you are inspired by another artist’s work and create something completely unique.
By studying and learning from the works of others, you can learn new techniques, gain perspective, and open up your creativity. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel; rather, you can use the existing wheel to create something that is entirely yours.
Embrace the idea of copying; use it to fuel your creativity, learn from the greats, and create something unique. Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from those who have come before you – it could be the spark you need to unlock your inner artist!
You don’t need to be original all the time
Being creative isn’t always about coming up with something completely original. In fact, some of the most successful creatives have developed their style and craft by taking inspiration from the work of others. This concept is called stealing like an artist, and it involves drawing on the ideas of those who have come before you to create something unique and meaningful.
This idea has been around for a long time. Pablo Picasso once famously said, Good artists copy, great artists steal. By this, he meant that copying someone else’s work can help you to learn the basics of a particular technique or style, but it’s important to add your own twist to it so that it becomes something completely new.
This idea can be applied to any creative field, from writing to painting to music. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t simply copy someone else’s work directly, but rather use it as inspiration for something original. Instead of trying to come up with something entirely new and unheard of, look to the past for ideas that you can then remix and refine into something all your own.
When looking to the work of others for inspiration, don’t be afraid to borrow ideas and techniques that you find interesting or inspiring. Take them apart, figure out how they work, and then build on them to create something totally different. This way, you won’t feel like you’re just copying someone else, but rather creating something entirely new and unique.
By stealing like an artist, you can take the best elements of other people’s work and combine them in a way that is truly your own. This can be a great way to discover your unique creative style and express yourself in a way that is both meaningful and powerful.
There are no rules
Creativity is something that cannot be contained by rules and regulations. We’ve all heard the saying, there are no rules in art, and it’s true. In fact, some of the most beautiful and captivating artworks have been created when an artist has broken the rules.
Creativity isn’t about following a certain set of instructions or adhering to a specific style or technique. Instead, creativity is about exploring different possibilities and going beyond your comfort zone. It’s about taking risks, pushing boundaries, and embracing the unknown.
You don’t need permission from anyone to create something truly unique. When you steal like an artist, you find inspiration in what’s already out there, then build on it and make it your own. You are the one who creates the rules for yourself and decides which ones to break and which ones to keep.
The best advice we can give is to just start creating and have faith in yourself. Allow yourself to make mistakes, take risks, and be open to experimentation. The more you explore, the more likely you are to create something remarkable. So forget the rules and just go for it!
You can’t do it all yourself
Creating something original is often a daunting and intimidating task. When we are in the process of crafting something new, it can feel like we have to do everything on our own. We may think that our ideas must be completely unique and cannot be based on anything else that has been done before.
The truth is, however, that we don’t have to do it all alone. There is great value in being inspired by what others have done before us, and borrowing certain elements from their work to create something new. This concept is referred to as stealing like an artist and has been embraced by some of the greatest creators of all time.
In fact, this kind of creativity can help us take our work to the next level. It allows us to use the knowledge and experience of others to spark our own ideas and create something even more innovative. By studying what has been done before and taking pieces of those works to build upon, we can create something entirely new and unique.
Stealing like an artist can be a powerful tool for any creative person. It helps us build on the works of others without feeling confined to the restrictions of having to start from scratch. So next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with the prospect of starting something new, take a look at what has been done before you and see if you can borrow some ideas to make your own creative masterpiece.
Embrace collaboration
The idea of stealing like an artist has been around for a long time. It encourages us to be inspired by what we observe and create something new and unique. But what if we took it a step further and embraced collaboration instead?
Collaboration is a powerful tool when it comes to creativity. By sharing ideas, talents, and resources with others, we can create something greater than any one of us could have done alone. Working together brings a synergy that can yield unexpected results, often leading to creative breakthroughs.
That’s not to say that collaboration is always easy. It takes work to find people with whom you can collaborate effectively, and it takes patience to learn how to collaborate in ways that maximize everyone’s contributions. But the rewards can be great! You may even find yourself growing as an individual, as working with others can help you develop skills and perspectives that you may not have had on your own.
At the end of the day, collaboration is about creating something bigger and better than we ever thought possible. So if you’re looking for new ways to unlock your creativity, look no further than the power of collaboration.
The best ideas come from stealing
Creativity often involves borrowing and recombining ideas to create something new. While it may sound like plagiarism, the idea of stealing has been embraced by some of the most influential creative minds in history.
The concept of stealing like an artist was popularized by Austin Kleon, a writer and artist who encourages people to take inspiration from the world around them. By looking at the work of great artists, you can get ideas for how to approach your own work. As Kleon states in his book, Nothing is completely original. All creative work builds on what came before.
Rather than trying to come up with something entirely new, think of yourself as a remixer or curator. Start by taking inspiration from the things that already exist. Make sure to give credit where it’s due, but don’t be afraid to take something and make it your own.
This is especially true if you’re starting out and don’t have a lot of experience. There are tons of resources available to help you get started, so don’t be afraid to steal from them. Look at what others have done and try to make it your own. Ask yourself questions like: How can I make this my own? What small changes can I make to make this my own?
At the same time, it’s important to remember that creativity isn’t just about stealing ideas. It’s also about creating something new out of existing elements. Be open to new experiences and let your mind explore. Inspiration can come from anywhere, so don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new.
Creativity is all about experimenting and having fun. So don’t be afraid to take risks and steal like an artist when it comes to finding inspiration for your next project.
Be open to feedback
Creativity is a tricky thing to master. Whether you’re a painter, a musician, a writer, or something else entirely, getting into the creative groove takes practice and dedication. One of the best ways to develop your creativity is to be open to feedback from those around you.
When you’re just starting out, it can be intimidating to receive criticism from other people. However, this feedback can help you gain insight into how your work might be improved or what could be added to make it even better. Learning to take constructive criticism is an invaluable skill that will serve you well in any creative endeavor.
Make sure to thank people for their feedback, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about what you’re working on and what kind of changes could be made. Plus, getting input from others can spark new ideas that you may never have thought of before.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by too much feedback, remember that not all suggestions need to be taken. Ultimately, it’s up to you how much of the advice you choose to act on. Take the time to consider each suggestion and decide what works best for your project.
By being open to feedback, you can learn valuable skills and insights that will help you become a better artist. Embrace the critique of others and use it to your advantage!
You don’t need permission
Creativity is often seen as something that comes from within, something that only a select few are born with. But in reality, creativity is a skill that anyone can learn and practice, and there’s no need to seek permission or approval in order to be creative.
In the modern world, the idea of stealing has been given a negative connotation. We often think of plagiarism, theft, and infringement when we hear the word. But this isn’t always the case; in fact, some of the greatest works of art were created by stealing ideas from other people.
By taking what you like from different sources, you can use them to create something entirely new. This isn’t cheating or stealing, it’s simply being inspired by your surroundings. Don’t be afraid to take risks and explore new ideas. Find inspiration in everything around you – books, magazines, movies, music, artwork, etc. – and use these inspirations to create something unique and original.
You don’t need permission to be creative. You don’t need to fit into a certain mold or abide by a set of rules. Let your imagination run wild and embrace the freedom to create whatever your heart desires.
Nobody’s perfect
Creativity can often seem like a daunting task. It requires a level of fearlessness and a willingness to take risks. But the truth is, nobody’s perfect and everyone makes mistakes. That doesn’t mean you should be afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of your creativity.
One key to successful creativity is learning from the mistakes of others. Instead of relying on your own intuition or rules of thumb, look at how other people have approached the same problem or idea. This can help you find new solutions and approaches to your own creative projects.
It’s also important to remember that sometimes the best ideas come from failure. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow. Taking risks can often lead to unexpected results, which can provide unique inspiration for further exploration.
Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if your creative project doesn’t turn out the way you initially envisioned. The creative process is a journey, and sometimes it takes time to reach the destination. Stay patient and open minded throughout the process, and you may find yourself surprised by where you end up.
It’s never too late to start
Have you ever felt like you’re too old to start something creative? If so, you’re not alone. In a world of digital technology, a lot of us have been conditioned to believe that creativity is something that is only accessible to young people. But the truth is, creativity can be accessed at any age, and it’s never too late to start.
Creativity comes in many different forms, and it’s all about finding what works for you. Whether it’s painting, photography, writing, music, or anything else that sparks your imagination, there are endless possibilities. It might take some experimentation and practice before you find the activity that works for you, but once you do, the sky is the limit!
If you’re ready to begin exploring your creativity, one great place to start is with the concept of steal like an artist. This idea encourages you to draw inspiration from other sources and make it your own. It’s about taking the ideas of others and making them your own. There’s no need to feel guilty about it either; the concept of stealing is actually used to show appreciation for those who have come before us and inspire our work.
It’s time to let go of the fear of starting something new and embrace the power of creativity. Everyone has something unique to offer and it’s never too late to begin creating. So go ahead and take the plunge; you might be surprised at what you can create!