Samuel Raphael Art

If you have any creative interests, be that fine art, music, creative writing, film-making or anything else go and get a copy of Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon if you haven’t already read it.

I haven’t even finished the book yet and it has already a massive impact on my mindset as an artist. It is an absolute goldmine. I found myself highlighting almost every other sentence. It is a very short book that consists of to the point tips and lessons for artists and creative individuals.

So here are the top 3 things I have taken away from the book so far:

1. ‘Steal like an artist’ – The most significant lesson I have learnt from the book is actually just the title. Kleon argues that no art is truly original. Every piece of work an artist makes is the curation of all the creative influences in that artists life. Therefore we should lean into this and understand that nothing comes from nowhere. I recently became so fixated on becoming more ‘original’ and ‘finding my own style’ that I felt almost claustrophobic. You do not need to know exactly who you are as an artist and where you belong in the art world to create work and share it. Take as much inspiration as you can from other people but add something of your own, and soon it will be your own!
2. ‘Write the book you want to read’ – Create what you wish existed. Write the book that you would most like to read, write a script for a film you would love to see, compose a piece of music you want to hear. For me, I ask myself the question ‘what art would I want to see in a gallery/online/on social media’. When you start creating things you truly like and not just for an audience to get more likes is when you actually start making the best and most impactful work. Some of my best work has come when when I have just been playing around and experimenting or just procrastinating. Start creating again for you, because in the end this is why we all get into art. We shouldn’t loose sight of this.
3. ‘Do good work and share it’ – There is no secret formula. People are always looking for shortcuts; one quick tip or trick that will fastback their success. Although there may be certain things out there that can accelerate certain parts of the process, developing skills and expertise above and beyond anyone else in your industry is going to be the most effective way to ensure consistent and meaningful success. Cal Newport coined the phrase be so good they can’t ignore you in his book and it is something I think not enough people understand.

Sharing your work is the subject of another book by Austin Kleon called Share your Work which is also incredibly insightful and well worth the read. I might write a post soon entirely devoted to lessons I have learnt from this book.

So there you have it, the three biggest lessons I have learnt from Steal like an Artist so far. As always thank you for reading!

Samuel