In the digital age, your location doesn’t have to limit your creative opportunities. Kleon highlights the power of the internet in connecting with like-minded individuals and communities worldwide. This means you can draw inspiration from global sources and collaborate with people from different cultures and backgrounds, enriching your creative output.

Geography is no longer our master

Creativity builds upon what came before. Kleon emphasizes that nothing is truly original; instead, everything is influenced by something else. He suggests embracing the idea of “stealing” from various sources to create something unique. This involves studying the work of others, understanding their techniques, and then combining elements to forge your own path. Kleon quotes, “All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original.

Nothing is original

Kleon stresses the value of having side projects and hobbies. These activities provide a creative outlet and can lead to unexpected breakthroughs in your main work. Hobbies can keep your creative muscles flexible and provide a much-needed break from the pressures of your primary projects. They often introduce new skills and perspectives that can be applied to your main creative endeavours.

Side projects & hobbies are important

You don’t need to know where you’re going to get started.

In an increasingly digital world, Kleon emphasizes the importance of working with your hands. Physical activities like drawing, writing, or crafting can stimulate creativity in ways that digital tools can’t. By engaging in tactile experiences, you connect more deeply with your work, which can lead to unexpected discoveries and ideas. This hands-on approach encourages experimentation and playfulness in the creative process.

Use your hands

Kindness and generosity are essential in the creative world. Kleon advises treating others with respect and supporting fellow creatives. Building positive relationships can lead to collaborations, opportunities, and a supportive network. Remember that the creative community is interconnected, and your reputation will follow you, so always strive to be helpful and encouraging.

Be nice (the world is a small town)

Kleon believes that constraints can enhance creativity. By limiting your resources, time, or tools, you force yourself to think more creatively and make the most of what you have. This approach encourages focusing on the essentials and eliminating distractions, leading to clearer, more impactful work. “Creativity is subtraction” reminds us that sometimes less truly is more.

Creativity is subtraction

All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original.

Kleon encourages artists to embrace their influences rather than shy away from them. By acknowledging the impact of others on your work, you can draw inspiration from a diverse range of sources. This means curating your influences deliberately, creating a “family tree” of artists, writers, and thinkers who inspire you. The goal is to find connections and patterns that resonate with your own creative process.

Embrace influence

Procrastination often stems from the fear of not being prepared or good enough. Kleon advocates for starting projects even when you don’t feel ready. The act of doing and creating will teach you more than any amount of preparation. He believes that taking the first step, regardless of how small, is crucial for momentum and growth. “You don’t need to know where you’re going to get started.”

Start before you’re ready

Sharing your work with others is crucial for growth and feedback. Kleon encourages artists to put their creations out into the world, even if they’re not perfect. By sharing your progress and process, you invite feedback, collaboration, and new opportunities. This transparency helps build a community around your work and can lead to valuable connections and support.

Share your work

Discover how you can masterfully craft content and make your name in the world without the fear of consistently creating something original.

You don’t need to be a genius, you just need to be yourself. That’s the message from Austin Kleon, a young writer and artist who knows that creativity is everywhere, creativity is for everyone. A manifesto for the digital age, Steal Like an Artist is a guide whose positive message, graphic look and illustrations, exercises, and examples will put readers directly in touch with their artistic side. When Mr. Kleon was asked to address college students in upstate New York, he shaped his speech around the ten things he wished someone had told him when he was starting out. The talk went viral, and its author dug deeper into his own ideas to create Steal Like an Artist, the book. The result is inspiring, hip, original, practical, and entertaining. And filled with new truths about creativity: Nothing is original, so embrace influence, collect ideas, and remix and re-imagine to discover your own path. Follow your interests wherever they take you. Stay smart, stay out of debt, and risk being boring—the creative you will need to make room to be wild and daring in your imagination.

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I’m a writer who draws. I make art with words and books with pictures. Author of Steal Like An Artist and other bestsellers. Visit my website: http://austinkleon.com/