Steal Like an Artist: Key Principles

Steal Like an Artist is an inspiring book that will get you thinking about your work in a new way. The author, Austin Kleon, believes that we are all creative and that creativity is everywhere. He also encourages us all to be ourselves in our work and art. The book is filled with Kleon’s quirky sketches and artwork that perfectly illustrate his philosophy of finding your unique voice and sharing it.

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Steal Like an Artist: Key Principles by Mind Map: Steal Like an Artist: Key Principles

1. Don't wait till you know who you are to get started.

1.1. “You don’t have to look like your heroes, you want to see like your heroes,” says Kleon. Emulate your heros, dont imitate.

2. Steal like an artist

2.1. But be careful what you steal! There is good theft and bad theft!🤪

2.2. Nothing is completely original, as creative work builds on what came before.

3. Write the book you want to read

3.1. It is important to do what you want to do

4. Side projects and hobbies are important

4.1. “A hobby is something that gives but doesn’t take,” Hobbies make you happy and mindset is very important for life and productivity.

5. Use your hands

5.1. “Computers have robbed us of the feeling that we’re actually making things. Involve your full body, and not just your brain.”

6. The Secret: Do good work and share it with people

6.1. Sharing your work helps you get feedback and more ideas.

7. Geography is no longer our master

7.1. “Travel makes the world look new, and when the world looks new, our brains work harder.”

8. Be nice. (The world is a small town.)

8.1. Stop coming into conflict with people. Channel anger or negative emotion into a creative pursuit.

9. Be boring. (It's the only way to get work done.)

9.1. You can’t come up with new ideas all the time, so it's good to have a routine. Even a regular day job is useful to creativity as it has a fixed schedule and exposes you to new people and skills.

10. Creativity is subtraction

10.1. “Nothing is more paralysing than the idea of limitless possibilities. The best way to get over creative block is to simply place some constraints on yourself.”

11. Find great creativity resources on www.creativitywakeup.com

12. Author, Austen Kleon