Austin Kleon Teaches You How to Steal Like an Artist
Recently, I read Austin Kleon’s “Steal Like An Artist” (SLAA), a book brimming with advice from learned experiences as a creative. As someone who is constantly trying to create and finding themself lost in a sea of ideas and inspiration, STAA found a way to ground me in my creative pursuits.
In the opening of the book, Kleon outlines ten pieces of advice, each of which he expands upon in their respective chapters. They are: steal like an artist, don’t wait until you know who you are to get started, write the book you want to read, use your hands, side projects and hobbies are important, do good work and share it with people, geography is no longer our master, be nice, be boring, and creativity is subtraction. Kleon shares that none of this advice is relatively new, it’s just that you may have not heard it yet.
As someone who procrastinates by looking for advice and finding people who are doing what I’m aspiring to do, his second chapter, “don’t wait until you know who you are to get started”, really struck a chord with me. I’m constantly trying to figure out what kind of creative I want to be instead of actually creating. We have to just do it (shout out Nike) and get over ourselves.
I don’t know about you, but when I start writing I always put this pressure on myself to become “the next” instead of just making stuff. This incessant need to be a great amazing creative can stifle the creative process and then you look back and realize that you just have a bunch of mood boards and nothing to show for it. Kleon explains not to worry about what kind of creative you want to be, and let the creative work you make get you there. And if you have to fake it till you make it, become Pinocchio.
The rest of Kleon’s book is full of authentic advice and writing that makes you look inwards on how you create. After each chapter I felt empowered, convicted, and inspired as a creative, ready to work. Stocked with quotes, callouts, and graphic illustrations, SLAA feels like a textbook guide on how to love being a creative.
My main takeaway from the work was Kleon’s argument that there’s nothing new under the sun. Before, that statement would have discouraged me — how could I be “the next” if there’s nothing new to say? But Kleon offers a more optimistic perspective that this idea takes the pressure off, allowing you to just create. By not worrying about exposure, clout, or status for the work, you get the rare creative opportunity to create without restraint, and isn’t that the purpose of being a creative?
I highly recommend any creative — honestly anyone — to pick up SLAA. In a world where everyone is aspiring to be “the next” and it seems like every idea has been explored, SLAA offers the chance to look at how you create in a different light.
Where to get “Steal Like An Artist”:
You can find SLAA at your local library. Some may have the e-book version that can be read through Libby. If you want your own copy try and purchase it from a local bookstore. Visit Kleon’s site for all online ordering links.
