Austin Kleon – Steal Like an Artist: Summary with Audio

Book Info

• Book name: Steal Like an Artist
• Author: Austin Kleon
• Genre: Arts & Culture, Self-Help & Personal Development
• Pages: 144 pages
• Published Year: 2012
• Publisher: Workman Publishing
• Language: English
• Awards: New York Times Bestseller

Audio Summary

Synopsis

In “Steal Like an Artist,” Austin Kleon challenges the myth of originality and encourages creatives to embrace influence. Through ten thought-provoking principles, Kleon reveals how great artists build upon existing ideas, transforming them into something new. This concise guide offers practical advice for nurturing creativity, finding inspiration, and developing a unique artistic voice. Kleon’s insights empower readers to overcome creative blocks, harness the power of imitation, and confidently pursue their artistic passions.

Key Takeaways

• Embrace influence and learn from your artistic heroes
• Start by imitating, then evolve to find your unique voice
• Maintain hobbies and side projects to fuel creativity
• Share your work and enjoy the benefits of obscurity
• Create an inspiring workspace and seek new experiences

My Summary

Embracing the Art of Creative Theft

As I delved into Austin Kleon’s “Steal Like an Artist,” I found myself nodding in agreement and feeling a sense of relief wash over me. For years, I’ve grappled with the pressure to be entirely original in my writing, often feeling paralyzed by the fear of inadvertently copying someone else’s ideas. Kleon’s book came as a breath of fresh air, reassuring me that it’s not only okay to be influenced by others but that it’s an essential part of the creative process.

The central premise of the book is both simple and revolutionary: there’s no such thing as completely original art. Every creative work is built upon the foundations laid by those who came before us. This idea resonated deeply with me, as I reflected on my own journey as a writer and how my style has been shaped by the authors I admire.

The Genealogy of Creativity

One of the most intriguing concepts Kleon introduces is the idea of creating an artistic family tree. He encourages readers to identify their creative heroes and then trace the influences that shaped those heroes. This exercise not only helps us understand our artistic lineage but also expands our pool of inspiration.

As I began to map out my own artistic family tree, I was surprised to see how diverse and interconnected it became. Starting with contemporary authors I admire, like Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood, I found myself branching out to classic writers like Virginia Woolf and Jorge Luis Borges, and even venturing into other art forms that have influenced my writing, such as the surrealist paintings of Salvador Dalí.

This process of tracing influences made me realize that creativity is not about pulling ideas out of thin air, but rather about synthesizing and reimagining the wealth of inspiration that surrounds us. It’s a liberating thought that has helped me approach my writing with renewed enthusiasm and curiosity.

The Imitation Game: From Copying to Emulation

Kleon makes a compelling case for starting your creative journey by imitating your heroes. This advice initially struck me as counterintuitive – after all, aren’t we supposed to strive for originality? But as I reflected on my own experiences and those of countless artists throughout history, I began to see the wisdom in this approach.

The key, Kleon argues, is to move from mere imitation to emulation. It’s about understanding the techniques, thought processes, and approaches of those you admire, and then using that knowledge as a springboard for your own unique expression.

I was reminded of how many great musicians started by playing covers before developing their own sound. The Beatles, as Kleon points out, began as a cover band before revolutionizing popular music. This progression from imitation to innovation is a natural part of the creative process, and it’s one that we shouldn’t shy away from.

The Power of Side Projects and Hobbies

One of the most practical pieces of advice in “Steal Like an Artist” is the importance of maintaining hobbies and side projects. As someone who often feels guilty for “wasting time” on activities unrelated to my primary creative work, this section was particularly eye-opening.

Kleon argues that these seemingly unrelated pursuits can actually fuel our creativity and provide much-needed mental breaks. He shares his own experience of feeling empty after giving up playing guitar to focus solely on his art, only to find renewed inspiration when he allowed himself to return to music as a hobby.

This resonated with my own experiences. I’ve often found that my best writing ideas come when I’m engaged in other activities, like gardening or cooking. These moments of mental wandering allow for unexpected connections and fresh perspectives that I might not have discovered if I’d been solely focused on writing.

Navigating the Digital Landscape: Sharing and Criticism

In today’s interconnected world, sharing our work online has become an integral part of the creative process. Kleon offers valuable insights on how to navigate this digital landscape, balancing the benefits of exposure with the potential pitfalls of criticism and negativity.

His advice to enjoy the benefits of obscurity early in your career struck a chord with me. It’s a reminder that the early stages of creativity are precious, allowing for experimentation and growth without the pressure of public scrutiny. As someone who has often felt the urge to share every piece of writing immediately, this perspective has encouraged me to be more patient and deliberate in my creative process.

Kleon also addresses the inevitable criticism that comes with putting your work out into the world. His suggestion to create a “praise file” – a collection of positive feedback to revisit during moments of self-doubt – is a simple yet powerful tool for maintaining motivation and perspective.

Crafting Your Creative Space

The importance of creating an inspiring workspace is another key theme in the book. Kleon emphasizes the need for both digital and analog tools, encouraging readers to work with their hands as well as their computers. This advice has prompted me to reevaluate my own writing space, incorporating more tactile elements like notebooks and physical mood boards alongside my digital tools.

Moreover, Kleon stresses the value of changing your environment occasionally. As someone who has experienced the creative boost that comes from travel and new experiences, I wholeheartedly agree with this point. It’s a reminder that creativity thrives on novelty and that sometimes the best way to overcome a creative block is to literally change your perspective.

Embracing Influence in the Modern Creative Landscape

As I reflect on “Steal Like an Artist” in the context of today’s rapidly evolving creative landscape, I’m struck by how relevant its principles remain. In an age of AI-generated content and concerns about originality, Kleon’s message about the value of human creativity and the importance of embracing influence feels more pertinent than ever.

The book encourages us to see creativity not as a solitary pursuit, but as part of a vast, interconnected web of influences and inspirations. It’s a perspective that fosters collaboration and appreciation for the work of others, rather than fostering a competitive, isolationist mindset.

Practical Applications for Daily Creative Life

To put Kleon’s ideas into practice, I’ve started implementing several strategies in my daily creative routine:

• Keeping a “swipe file” of inspiring quotes, images, and ideas from various sources
• Dedicating time each week to explore the work of artists outside my primary field
• Embracing “productive procrastination” by allowing myself guilt-free time for hobbies
• Regularly sharing snippets of work-in-progress to build a community of supporters and fellow creatives
• Creating a physical inspiration board in my workspace to surround myself with motivating visuals

Reflections and Open Questions

As I continue to digest the insights from “Steal Like an Artist,” I’m left with some thought-provoking questions:

• How do we balance the practice of “stealing like an artist” with giving proper credit to our influences?
• In an age of information overload, how can we curate our influences effectively without becoming overwhelmed?
• How might the principles in this book apply to fields beyond traditional creative arts, such as science or business innovation?

These questions serve as ongoing prompts for reflection and discussion, enriching my understanding of the creative process and challenging me to continually evolve my approach.

A Call to Creative Action

In conclusion, “Steal Like an Artist” is more than just a guide to creativity; it’s a permission slip to embrace influence, experiment freely, and find joy in the creative process. Kleon’s insights have reinvigorated my approach to writing and blogging, reminding me that creativity is not about achieving perfection or complete originality, but about contributing our unique voice to the ongoing conversation of human expression.

I invite you, dear readers, to share your thoughts on how you navigate the creative process. How do you find inspiration? What strategies do you use to overcome creative blocks? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments and build a community of creatives who aren’t afraid to steal like artists!