One thing to steal.
A project where I read Austin Kleons book “How to steal like an artist” and share a piece of insight (something to “steal”) from each chapter.
Chapter 1: Collect good ideas
In the first chapter, we’re introduced to the meaning of “stealing”, by getting reminded that nothing new is ever really new.
Everything everywhere has always been inspired by something.
So as a creative, it’s your job and your assignment to start looking around and identifying what’s good enough to “steal”. What’s good enough to get inspired by.
And when you have a decent enough collection, you will eventually start finding your own ideas within those you’ve “stolen”.
Chapter 2: Copying is reverse engineering
Let’s get one thing straight - copying and plagiarism is not the same thing. Plagiarism is when you’re taking credit for someone else’s work. That is not okay.
But copying for the sake of LEARNING is an excellent way to start.
When you see something you like and attempt to copy it, it will force you to really think about how the original piece was put together.
It forces you to reverse-engineer the process that the original artist did. And there are TONS to be learned from that.
So. If you’re just beginning to take your first steps in your creative journey, let me tell you this: It’s okay to copy! It’s an excellent way to get started and learn.
Chapter 3: When we love something, we’re desperate for more
If you find something you love, you’ll want more of that thing. And if you’re a creative, the answer to getting more of that thing can be to MAKE MORE of that thing 🤯
I find this so empowering! Instead of looking around, going on a hunt, finding more similar stuff to the thing(s) you love. You can just take power into your own hands and create the things yourself!
How amazing is this?! More power to the creatives, am I right? 🙌😍
Chapter 4: Get your body into the mix
This chapter is all about getting physical. To not only involve your mind in the creating but also your body and your senses 👀👃👂✋
This is my favorite chapter of the book so far. It resonated with me on sooo many levels. By the time I was reading the last page I had a huge smile on my face.
Kleon writes about the importance of stepping away from the digital. Of picking up pen and paper. Scissors and tools. Of feeling the feels, hearing the sounds, and smelling the smells.
By involving more senses when you create, you activate and stimulate more parts of your brain. And this will both increase your creativeness and help improve your focus.
Chapter 5: When in doubt, wash the dishes
Here we learn about the importance of allowing yourself to be bored.
And not only allowing it but actively making room for it in your creative process.
Staying super focused and "productive" all the time can be a real creativity killer. Taking a break from your work, giving yourself space, and just ”doing nothing” from time to time is super important.
So. If you feel overwhelmed. (Or underwhelmed.) Why not go do some dishes, take out the vacuum cleaner or start sweeping the floor and see what ideas might come to you.
Backstory.
It all began with a book club. Hosted by the wonderful The Creatives Coffee Club. Where it was decided that the first book we were gonna read was “How to steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon.
And I decided that I wanted to do something more than just read the book. So I came up with the project “One thing to steal” and three goals that I wanted to achieve with it:
I wanted to make sure I actually learned something from reading the book
I wanted to push myself and give myself a challenge as an illustrator
I wanted to create something that could be shared and that could be fun and/or useful to others as well as myself
So here it is! The first half of project One thing to steal! In another 5 weeks, the entire book will have been covered. And after that, who knows. Maybe I will move on to another book to steal from…