Creative Theft: The Hidden Path to Original Art

Austin Kleon's distinctive, concise style explains how creativity involves examining numerous ideas, extracting elements from each, adding our perspective, and creating something new. The author offers a fresh lens through which to view creativity.

This first part of a two-part article summarizes and explores the key points from Austin Kleon's excellent book "Steal Like an Artist." Following the author's advice, I'll summarize the book's chapters while adding my insights.

Originality = Stealing From Multiple Sources

The famous Pablo Picasso once said that "art is theft." We all think of originality as something never done before, and although this definition is correct, it doesn't tell the entire truth. Even original ideas are built on top of ideas that came before. We see this in science, music, art, and movies—everything around us is built upon something already existing.

When you consume art intending to " steal" from it, you pay better attention and focus on details you might otherwise miss. The next time you encounter a movie, book, painting, or music, approach it to learn something valuable. Note these insights and save them somewhere accessible for future use.

The difference between a hoarder and an artist is intention: a hoarder collects information indiscriminately, while an artist selectively gathers what they plans to use later. Be the latter.

“The only art I’ll ever study is stuff that I can steal from.” — David Bowie

Start Your Creative Journey Today

We often wait for the "perfect time" to start something—painting, making music, creating videos, or writing a book. We judge our ideas too harshly and wait for that magical moment when ideal inspiration strikes. Only then do we begin creating.

Instead, we should establish a daily creative routine without obsessing over outcomes. Highly successful writers don't fixate on inspiration or perfect ideas—they show up every day and do their work. Some days will be mediocre; others will be brilliant. By consistently showing up, regardless of circumstances, you'll produce far more than if you remain paralyzed by inaction.

Embrace the "fake it till you make it" approach; it works wonders in creative fields.

“Start copying what you love. Copy copy copy copy. At the end of the copy you will find your self.” —Yohji Yamamoto

Create Art Using Your Imagination

You understand what an "ideal" movie, book, painting, etc., is for you. Your goal should be to turn that vision into reality. For example, if you wish for a perfect novel to exist—and "perfect" can mean anything to you—start writing that ideal novel yourself. This is the best way to orient yourself toward a meaningful artistic goal.

Have you ever waited eagerly for a sequel to a movie you hold dear? Why not write that sequel yourself? When the official sequel eventually comes out, you can compare your version with the authentic one. This approach forces you to work on something creative and establish a creative flow, but it can extend to anything. Build the business you wish existed in the world, write the books you want to read, and so on.

“My interest in making music has been to create something that does not exist that I would like to listen to. I wanted to hear music that had not yet happened, by putting together things that suggested a new thing which did not yet exist.” —Brian Eno

Digital vs Analog

When I used to visit my grandfather, he had a collection of music cassettes and a music player. Listening to songs with that analog setup was far more satisfying and deliberate than consuming music today through Spotify or Apple Music. I can't quite explain why we feel better interacting with analog systems to consume or produce creative output.

When working on computers, we often become trapped by our inner perfectionist, as it's too easy to delete content or edit while producing. Computers are excellent for editing after completing the ideation phase using analog systems like diaries and sketchbooks. Physical media engages more of our senses in the creative process—tremendously beneficial for artists who thrive when using as many sensory channels as possible.

“I have stared long enough at the glowing flat rectangles of computer screens. Let us give more time for doing things in the real world . . . plant a plant, walk the dogs, read a real book, go to the opera.” —Edward Tufte

Hobbies are Important for Creativity

Leonardo da Vinci is primarily known for his paintings, but he was curious to learn things that seemed entirely unrelated to painting. He studied human anatomy, optics, light and reflection, engineering, and war machines. Some might argue that this took time away from his "actual work." However, when we view his life from a broader perspective, all these disciplines combined to create the Mona Lisa. His study of optics led him to develop a technique that created forms without definite boundaries, giving the Mona Lisa her mysterious smile. His anatomical studies taught him how to create realistic expressions by understanding the specific muscles involved in a human smile.

Moreover, narrowing your focus to only one thing will eventually lead to burnout and exhaustion. When you pursue interests that resonate with you, they'll naturally combine to form something beautiful. Knowledge from one domain will influence others, creating a positive-sum approach for your creative life.

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards.” —Steve Jobs

Buy the Book: https://amzn.to/3QHOQjh