Introduction
In "Steal Like an Artist," Austin Kleon challenges the notion of originality in art and creativity. This engaging book explores the idea that all great artists are, in essence, thieves who build upon the work of their predecessors. Kleon argues that creativity doesn't happen in isolation but is the result of countless influences and inspirations.
The book offers practical advice and insights for aspiring artists and creators, encouraging them to embrace their influences, develop their unique voice, and navigate the modern creative landscape. Through a series of thought-provoking ideas and actionable tips, Kleon guides readers on a journey to unlock their creative potential and find success in their artistic endeavors.
There's No Such Thing as Completely Original Art
One of the central themes of "Steal Like an Artist" is the idea that truly original art doesn't exist. Kleon challenges the common assumption that greatness in art is defined by its originality. He argues that this misconception often leads artists to struggle unnecessarily, trying to create something entirely new and unprecedented.
In reality, all art is a product of the artist's influences. Even the most celebrated artists in history, such as Picasso, Dali, or W. B. Yeats, were not creating in a vacuum. They were building upon the work of those who came before them, taking inspiration from their predecessors and contemporaries.
Kleon uses the analogy of genetics to explain this concept. Just as a child is a unique combination of their parents' DNA, an artist's work is a unique combination of their influences. While the specific output may be new, the components that make it up are not entirely original.
To illustrate this point, Kleon mentions The Beatles, who started their career as a cover band. They honed their skills by playing the music of their heroes before they began writing their own songs. This process of imitation and absorption allowed them to develop their unique sound and style.
Given this understanding, Kleon suggests that the key to creating great art is not to strive for complete originality, but to find the right art to steal from or build upon. He encourages artists to surround themselves with art that inspires them and is worth emulating.
One practical suggestion Kleon offers is to create an artistic family tree. This exercise involves identifying an artist or creative person whose work you deeply admire and then immersing yourself in their world. Study their techniques, understand their motivations, and learn about their creative process. Then, research three people who influenced this artist and repeat the process with them. This approach allows you to trace the lineage of artistic influence and connect yourself to a rich legacy of creativity.
By viewing yourself as the latest branch on this artistic family tree, you can draw inspiration and motivation from the generations of artists who came before you. This connection to a broader artistic legacy can be a powerful source of inspiration and encouragement as you develop your own creative voice.
Start by Imitating Your Heroes, and Finish by Emulating Them
Building on the idea that no art is truly original, Kleon advocates for a two-step process in developing your artistic voice: imitation and emulation.
The Power of Imitation
When you're just starting out, it's natural to feel uncertain about your creative direction. Kleon suggests that this is the perfect time to imitate your heroes. This doesn't mean simply copying their artwork, but rather studying and imitating every aspect of their creative process and lifestyle.
By closely following in the footsteps of those you admire, you can gain valuable insights into the creative process and develop your skills. Kleon cites the example of musician Nick Cave, who began his career by imitating his idols.
From Imitation to Emulation
As you continue to imitate your heroes, you'll inevitably discover areas where you can't quite match their style or technique. These "weaknesses" or differences are actually the key to finding your own unique voice.
Kleon introduces the concept of emulation, which involves taking what you've learned from imitating your heroes and adapting it to suit your own strengths and style. This is where you begin to diverge from your influences and develop your own artistic identity.
To illustrate this point, Kleon shares the story of comedian and talk show host Conan O'Brien. O'Brien initially wanted to be like David Letterman, but found that he couldn't quite replicate Letterman's style. Instead of seeing this as a failure, O'Brien embraced his differences, which ultimately defined his unique comedic voice and made him stand out in the industry.
Kleon traces this pattern back further, noting that Letterman himself had wanted to be like Johnny Carson, who in turn was inspired by Jack Benny. Each of these comedians started by imitating their predecessors, then found their own niche by embracing the areas where they differed from their idols.
This process of imitation leading to emulation is a natural progression in artistic development. By starting with imitation, you build a strong foundation of skills and understanding. As you continue to create, you naturally begin to inject your own personality and experiences into your work, gradually developing a style that is uniquely your own.
Don't Abandon Your Hobbies and Side Projects
As you become more focused on your artistic pursuits, you might be tempted to abandon your hobbies and side projects to fully dedicate yourself to your main creative work. However, Kleon strongly advises against this approach, arguing that maintaining diverse interests and activities can actually enhance your creativity and overall well-being.
The Benefits of Diverse Interests
Overcoming Creative Blocks: When you hit a creative block in your main project, having other activities to turn to can be incredibly beneficial. These side projects provide a mental break and allow your subconscious mind to continue working on problems in the background.
Fostering Inspiration: Creativity and inspiration often strike when you least expect them. By engaging in various activities, you create more opportunities for unexpected connections and ideas to form.
Maintaining Balance: Focusing solely on one creative pursuit can lead to burnout and frustration. Hobbies and side projects offer a chance to relax, have fun, and maintain a sense of balance in your life.
Developing New Skills: Side projects often involve different skills or approaches than your main work, which can broaden your creative toolkit and potentially inform your primary artistic practice.
The Danger of Single-minded Focus
Kleon warns that if you abandon all other interests to focus solely on your art, you risk feeling empty and unfulfilled. Even if you're deeply passionate about your main project, denying yourself other forms of enjoyment and expression can leave a void in your life.
The author shares a personal anecdote about giving up playing guitar to focus on his visual art. He found that this decision left him feeling incomplete until he allowed himself to return to music as a hobby. This reintegration of a beloved pastime not only made him happier but also had a positive impact on his artwork.
Embracing Productive Procrastination
Kleon even suggests that allowing yourself to procrastinate occasionally can be beneficial. Activities like housework or other non-creative tasks can provide the mental space needed for new ideas to percolate. These moments of "productive procrastination" can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in your main creative work.
By maintaining a diverse range of interests and activities, you create a rich, well-rounded life that fuels your creativity rather than depleting it. This approach allows you to draw inspiration from various sources, overcome creative blocks more easily, and maintain a healthy balance between your artistic pursuits and overall well-being.
The Benefits of Obscurity and the Importance of Sharing Your Work
Kleon presents a balanced approach to fame and recognition in the artistic world. He advises artists to appreciate the benefits of obscurity in the early stages of their careers while also emphasizing the importance of sharing work to gain recognition over time.
Embracing Obscurity
While many artists dream of instant fame, Kleon argues that obscurity can be a valuable asset, especially when you're just starting out. Here's why:
Freedom to Experiment: When you're unknown, you have the liberty to try new things without the pressure of public scrutiny. This freedom allows for more creative risks and experimentation.
Room for Mistakes: Obscurity provides a safe space to make mistakes and learn from them without facing harsh criticism or disappointing an established audience.
Time to Develop: Being out of the spotlight gives you time to hone your skills, refine your style, and develop your artistic voice without external pressures.
The Path to Recognition
While obscurity has its benefits, Kleon acknowledges that most artists ultimately want their work to be seen and appreciated. He offers a simple yet powerful strategy for gaining recognition: share your work.
In the digital age, sharing your work has never been easier. Kleon encourages artists to use the internet and social media platforms to their advantage. Here are some ways to effectively share your work:
Show Your Process: Share not just finished pieces, but also works in progress, sketches, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process.
Share Your Inspirations: Let your audience know what inspires you, whether it's other artists, nature, or everyday experiences.
Offer Insights: Share tips, techniques, or thoughts about your artistic approach. This helps engage your audience and positions you as a knowledgeable creator.
Be Consistent: Regularly share content to keep your audience engaged and growing.
Be Authentic: Share your genuine passion and enthusiasm for your work. This authenticity will help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.
By sharing your work and your creative journey, you invite people into your artistic world. This connection can lead to a loyal following of people who are genuinely interested in your art and your development as an artist.
Kleon emphasizes that the goal is not just to gain followers or likes, but to create meaningful connections with people who appreciate your work. These connections can lead to opportunities, collaborations, and a supportive community that can sustain your artistic career in the long run.
Creating an Inspiring Workspace and the Importance of Travel
Kleon recognizes the importance of environment in fostering creativity and offers advice on creating an inspiring workspace. At the same time, he emphasizes the value of occasionally stepping out of your comfort zone through travel.
Designing Your Creative Space
In today's digital age, artists have unprecedented access to inspiration and tools right from their homes. Kleon advises taking advantage of this by carefully designing your workspace to maximize creativity:
Surround Yourself with Inspiration: Fill your space with works by your favorite artists, inspirational quotes, or any objects that spark your creativity.
Create a Dual Workspace: Divide your workspace into digital and analog sections. While computers are essential for many artists, Kleon emphasizes the importance of hands-on creativity as well.
Embrace Analog Tools: Don't rely solely on digital tools. Keep notebooks, sketchpads, and physical materials on hand. Sometimes, working with your hands can unlock creativity in ways that digital tools can't.
Organize for Productivity: Arrange your space in a way that supports your creative process. This might mean having a clean, minimalist desk or a more chaotic, inspiration-filled environment, depending on what works best for you.
Kleon shares his own experience of creating his book "Newspaper Blackout" by physically printing text, cutting it up, and rearranging it on paper. This tactile process allowed for more experimentation and creativity than working solely on a computer.
The Value of Travel and New Experiences
While having a well-designed home workspace is crucial, Kleon warns against becoming too complacent. He strongly advocates for the value of travel and new experiences in stimulating creativity:
Break Routine: Traveling forces you out of your comfort zone and daily routines, which can lead to new perspectives and ideas.
Gain New Inspirations: Exposure to different cultures, landscapes, and ways of life can provide fresh inspiration for your work.
Challenge Your Assumptions: Experiencing new places and cultures can challenge your preconceptions and broaden your worldview, which can enrich your art.
Create New Connections: Travel often leads to meeting new people, which can result in collaborations, friendships, or simply new perspectives that influence your work.
Kleon shares his personal experience of living in England and Italy, which he credits with significantly impacting both his life and his career. These experiences abroad provided him with new inspirations, challenged his perspectives, and ultimately enriched his creative output.
The author suggests that even if long-term relocation isn't possible, short trips or local explorations can still provide valuable new experiences and inspirations. The key is to regularly step out of your familiar environment and expose yourself to new sights, sounds, and experiences.
By balancing a well-designed, inspiring home workspace with occasional travel and new experiences, you create an ideal environment for nurturing your creativity and continuing to grow as an artist.
Dealing with Criticism and Valuing Praise
In the digital age, sharing your work online exposes you to both praise and criticism. Kleon offers advice on how to handle both effectively to maintain your creative momentum and emotional well-being.
Handling Criticism
When you put your work online, you're likely to encounter negative feedback and criticism. Kleon advises:
Don't Let It Bring You Down: Remember that criticism, especially online, can often be unnecessarily harsh or even malicious. Don't let it discourage you from creating.
Ignore the Negativity: Avoid engaging with critics who are clearly not offering constructive feedback. Responding to every negative comment can be a huge time-waster.
Channel Anger Productively: If criticism makes you angry, try to use that energy as motivation for your work. Kleon mentions that he sometimes reads hate mail in the morning to energize himself for the day's work.
Focus on Improvement: If there's valid criticism within the negative feedback, use it to improve your work. But don't obsess over every comment.
Valuing Praise
While it's important to develop a thick skin for criticism, Kleon emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and valuing the praise you receive:
Create a Praise File: Save positive emails, tweets, and comments in a dedicated file. When you're feeling discouraged, revisit this file to remind yourself of the people who appreciate your work.
Reciprocate Praise: Make a habit of praising others' work as well. This not only spreads positivity but can also lead to meaningful connections in your creative community.
Use Praise as Motivation: Let positive feedback fuel your desire to create more and improve your craft.
Share Your Appreciation: When someone's work inspires or moves you, let them know. Write a blog post about your favorite author or create a piece inspired by your artistic hero.
Building a Positive Online Presence
Kleon suggests that by focusing on sharing positive content and praising others, you can create a more supportive online environment for yourself and others. This approach can lead to:
Stronger Connections: Genuine appreciation often leads to meaningful relationships with other creators.
Increased Visibility: Positive interactions can increase your visibility in creative communities.
Inspirational Exchanges: By praising others, you open yourself up to receiving inspiration and encouragement in return.
A Healthier Perspective: Focusing on positive feedback helps maintain a balanced view of your work and its reception.
By learning to handle criticism gracefully and fully appreciate praise, you can navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of online feedback while maintaining your creative drive and positive outlook.
Final Thoughts: Embracing Your Artistic Legacy
"Steal Like an Artist" challenges the myth of originality in art and encourages creators to embrace their influences. Kleon's central message is that all great art is built upon the work of previous generations, and understanding this can liberate artists to create without the pressure of being completely original.
Key takeaways from the book include:
Embrace Your Influences: Don't be afraid to study and learn from the artists you admire. Create your own artistic family tree to understand your creative lineage.
Imitate, Then Emulate: Start by imitating your heroes, but use this as a stepping stone to finding your own unique voice.
Maintain Balance: Don't abandon your hobbies and side projects. They can provide valuable inspiration and help overcome creative blocks.
Appreciate Obscurity: Use the early stages of your career to experiment and make mistakes without pressure.
Share Your Work: Use the internet and social media to share your creative process and connect with your audience.
Create an Inspiring Environment: Design a workspace that fosters creativity, but don't forget to step out and gain new experiences through travel.
Handle Criticism and Praise: Learn to ignore unconstructive criticism, but value and save the praise you receive.
Stay Connected: Remember that you're part of a long line of artists who have influenced each other throughout history.
Kleon's approach encourages artists to see themselves as part of a greater artistic legacy, rather than isolated creators striving for unprecedented originality. By understanding and embracing this perspective, artists can free themselves from the paralysis of trying to be completely original and instead focus on creating meaningful work that builds upon and contributes to the rich tapestry of human creativity.
The book serves as both a practical guide and a source of inspiration for anyone looking to nurture their creativity and find their place in the artistic world. It reminds us that creativity is not about reinventing the wheel, but about finding new ways to use the wheels that already exist. By stealing like an artist – that is, by learning from, building upon, and transforming the work of others – we can all contribute our unique voices to the ongoing conversation of human creativity.