source: austinkleon.com
Jewel Thieves are Amateurs... I Want to Steal Like an Artist
I long to be a master thief. Can you see it? Me, clad all in black, shining leather gloves and boots oiled so as not to emit even the faintest creak. An array of tools and gizmos that the general public doesn't even know exist tucked in strategic pouches to avoid any fall or jingle as I weave my acrobatic body in a serpentine fashion through a state of the art laser grid maze security system. Somewhere on the other side behind unbreakable vault doors ringed with sensors and armed guards is the prize...
Can you envision that? You can? Well good for you, because I sure can't. I eat far too many chicken nuggets to not have my stomach trigger a laser tripwire, all attempts at a stylish black wardrobe would be foiled by the shedding of my cats, and although I have a strange fascination with television shows about prisons, I'd never make it on the "inside." I may aspire to be a master thief, but I just want to steal like an artist. Who needs a few baubles and jewels when you can instead acquire the power to create the worlds of your dreams?
Lucky for me, Austin Kleon has provided a manual for just such a dastardly profession. Not everyone should learn these dark tricks of the thieving trade though, so he's understandably disguised this devious tutorial under the title... Steal Like An Artist. (Ok, so it's a pretty weak disguise...)
source: austinkleon.com
Austin Kleon is Practically Giving These Secrets Away...
Steal Like an Artist is a wonderful little book that you can read in a single sitting, and go on to re-read dozens of times whenever you need a little positive encouragement and motivation. To be correct the full title is, Steal Like an Artist; 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative.
I'm going to tell you those 10 things right now. Why would I do that!?! Why would I spoil the book and basically commit plagiarism!?! Well, I figure it's ok because Austin spills the beans by listing the 10 Things right on the back cover, you know, that page that everybody reads before they ever buy a book. So here goes.
source: austinkleon.com
Is Steal Like an Artist a Book for Me?
If none of these 10 principles spoke to you or had you nodding your head in agreement or questioning your life and art, then you should probably look for a different book to read. However if something in those 10 concise lines spoke to you, then Steal Like an Artist is definitely a book worth having on your shelf, coffee table, or toilet tank. (All of the above if you want!)
Over the course of 150 pages Kleon fleshes out each of his 10 core principles with observations from his life and work, mixed with fun doodles and diagrams, and inspiring quotes and examples from some of the greatest artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers in history.
As the main title implies, Kleon presents the case that nothing is original. (Nothing is Original is actually the header on page 7...) As Kleon explains, many people may find this depressing but he feels quite the opposite.
"If we're free from the burden of trying to be completely original, we can stop trying to make something out of nothing, and we can embrace influence instead of running away from it."
From this beginning thesis, Kleon expands to detail ways that we all can find inspiration and store it for when it's needed in our own work. He talks about building a genealogy of ideas, surrounding yourself with the people, places, books, and imagery necessary to create your art and craft your life.
All of this is done with entertaining and witty prose and a delivery that leaves you feeling like YOU CAN DO THIS!
Steal Like an Artist is a wonderful nugget of inspiration. As you may have gleaned from my opening intro (or perhaps you've read some of my other writings) I know my way around a nugget. This book earns top praise as an impetus of inspiration. It is by no means an exhaustive treatise, but Austin Kleon says it himself on page 20.
"Read bibliographies. It's not the book you start with, it's the book that book leads you to."
(Of course he's included 10 books of recommended reading as his own bibliography of sorts)
While Steal Like an Artist may not be an exhaustive treatise, there is a very good chance it will induce a burst of creative energy to go study, read, create, live, and learn. So exhaustion is definitely still a possibility, but in the best possible way. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book. Hell, do me a favor and get yourself a copy of this book... because I want to see what you create... (so that I can steal it.)
-Bryan "the Imp" Imhoff
Follow me @bryan-imhoff and view some of my comics @spottyproduction!
Definitely looks like a book to add to the list. Thanks for putting the 10 bullet points up there: so many truisms of the creative life you "kinda" know but have to be reminded of every so often.
You're very welcome! As I was reading I was struck by how appropriate and timely points 6,7, & 8 are to the burgeoning Steem community. Welcome aboard!
Yeah! I got this book for christmas. Nothing new under the sun but its a nice book and most of those advices are true. Followed!
Check our new comic:
https://steemit.com/drawing/@lepton/deepdown-song-turned-into-a-dark-comic-datamosh-video
Sounds like my kind of book. Not bad for $7.54...
I might try to find it at the Library also, then if not available, maybe I will just get it from Amazon.
It's a small book and a quick read so the price is about right. It's a good one to have lying around to flip through a couple pages occasionally when you feel creativity ebbing!
I'll write this book down on a list of books I need to check out at the library. I definitely agree with Number 5: Side projects and hobbies are important. I always have something to do everyday to keep myself busy - I actually wish I could go without sleep so I could get all my side projects more attention.
Absolutely! Being sleepless (without negative effects of course) would be a wonderful super power! Kleon talks about side projects from a couple angles, such as "productive procrastination" where you can switch between projects as some get you frustrated or stumped - and pursuing multiple passions like music and art because they help to shape and inform each other.
I can think of many painters who employ the first technique, even just to avoid waiting for paint on the canvas to dry! The second point reminds me of a great comic illustrator named Ron Garney. I remember an interview where he talked about his passion for playing in a band. It bleeds into his storytelling process as he visualizes and builds his scenes as though they were musical - adding beats and crescendos of action as if he were playing a song.
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