sketchee reviewed Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative is a book …
Review of 'Steal like an artist' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
In large white reversed type spread across two undersized black pages, each chapter begins with a simple and often counter-intuitive thought.
The square-shaped book isn’t quite pocket-sized, though it’s close.
The first chapter begins with a minimalist and powerful diagram that asks “Is it worth stealing?”
We borrow ideas. We aren’t the first to create with paper, canvas, clay, or even a computer. Even when those ideas seemed new, artists built work based on ideas that came before them.
The idea here isn’t to plagiarise, if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s about giving up on worry.
Stop worrying that it’s not good enough. We are our own worst critics.
Austin explains beautifully how we are all a unique remix of our parents. Our art is a unique mashup of our influences. Become a selective collector of influences. Concentrate on keeping what you love and throw out the rest.
Studies show that a focus on love helps us generate new ideas.
Look for who your favorite artists loved and who loved them and take from them what you like best.