Steal Like an Artist
It started as a list. In the spring of 2011, Austin Kleon was invited to speak to students at Broome Community College in upstate New York, and rather than preparing a polished lecture, he jotted down ten things he wished someone had told him at that age. The list included ideas like writing the book you actually want to read, embracing boredom as a precondition for getting anything done, and treating creativity as an act of subtraction rather than accumulation. He posted his notes and slides online. The internet did the rest. What began as a viral blog post has since grown into a fully illustrated guide aimed at anyone trying to build something worthwhile, whether that's a painting, a business, a body of writing, or simply a more imaginative life. Kleon's audience is broad by design: he's speaking to musicians, photographers, designers, entrepreneurs, and daydreamers in equal measure. The tone is refreshingly direct. No padding, no waffle, just ideas delivered with the kind of clarity that makes you want to put the book down and immediately pick up a pencil. The format suits the content well. Short chapters sit alongside visual elements and small practical exercises, nudging readers to act rather than just absorb. It's the sort of book you'll find yourself scribbling in the margins of, or pressing into the hands of a friend who's convinced they're not the creative type. Honest, unpretentious, and genuinely useful.
- Author: Austin Kleon
- Publisher: Workman Publishing
- Genre: Personal Development
- ISBN: 978-0761169253
- Pages: 160 pages