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How to Steal Like an Artist
My 5-Part key takeaways from Steal Like an Artist + Featured Artist of the Week
Hello there!
It's February, the month of love! Not only do we celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th, but the Philippines also celebrates National Arts Month annually throughout February.
As my way of commemorating National Arts Month, I will be sharing some of my insights from Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist" every week. Additionally, I'll be featuring artists at the end of each post. Make sure to read until the end to explore links and resources that you might find interesting.
Now, onto the exciting part of things...
š„·Great Artists Steal!
Stealing is bad, and that stands true.
Common sense dictates that taking what doesn't belong to you is inappropriate.
So, why does the author encourage artists to steal?
Donāt get me wrong, but to provide you some clarity, the concept of stealing in this context doesn't mean literally taking something from someone.
Instead, it involves imitating someone you admire, using them as a springboard to discover your unique style over time. Not only this encourages to properly make a copy of favorite artists but it also guides you on how to find joy in the process of becoming a skilled artist.
You may have encountered this quote frequently:
"Good artists copy, great artists steal." - Pablo Picasso
This quote is often misinterpreted, as Picasso never meant to endorse the literal theft of someone's work. Like all of us in the modern period of artists, his creations were inspired by various sources, including African art, which influenced the famous Cubism art movement.
Therefore, inspiration originates from diverse sources, and nothing is entirely new under the sun. This brings us to a crucial point:
š Nothing is Original
In reality, there is nothing truly new, and everything lacks complete originality. Every creative endeavor is constructed upon what came before.
Attempting to be entirely original just adds unnecessary pressure, especially when your goal is to stand out differently from others. Surprisingly, if you inquire among artists that you know, you'll find that their works are often inspired by numerous artists.
By freeing ourselves from the thought trying to be entirely original and embracing the artists who influence us, we can break free from the fear of being seen as a fraud and the paralysis that often accompanies our journey in setting out as an artist. This mindset can serve as a starting point for our creativity, enabling us to apply what we learn from these influences.
Hereās a good tip that I learned from Austin
You know you have multiple favorite artists/inspirations. Pick out some good thing about them and mix that with other good thing that you found from other artists. It could be the way how they get their inspiration, how they use the tools, or even their workflow that might help you in getting started.
You can also make a family tree of your favorite artists, and trace where they get their inspiration from. Youāll be surprised as you see your tree grows and they interconnect with one another, giving you another fresh perspective on your personal favorites and mix them together to form something new, right?
š Collect and Select
What makes a good artist?
A good artist gathers what resonates with them and what genuinely gets their interest.
On the other hand, a bad artist resembles a hoarder that accumulates discriminately.
The book dives into two types of theft, outlining the differences between good theft and bad theft:
A good artist honors the artwork they stole from, while a bad artist degrades them.
A good artist studies what they collected. They do not skim and hoard just for the sake of stealing. Great artists practice the habit of studying multiple sources of their inspiration so that they will give birth to another style.
In connection, a good artist steals from many, in which they select multiple good elements they find it useful for them to use in their work. Copying from only one source makes it worse.
Good artists credit. As an artist, I frequently drop links to credit my inspirations somewhere as a crumb trail for other people to discover them. It is my way of saying that it is worth sharing for, and I am not gatekeeping these. The best way to learn something is to share what you know. It helps retain information and you also help others to learn something new as well.
Good artists transform what they stole and they remix it on a brand new level, using multiple elements that they steal from different sources. These artists are so good that you wouldnāt recognize where they have gotten inspiration from as they have studied these elements they steal from their favorite artist and practice it religiously with respect from the original source.
Just like you are a mashup of the genetics from your parents, you too can create a mashup of all the things you love and transform it into something new.
Always remember that everything comes from somewhere. When you combine your favorite things in life, soon it will turn out something better, or even greater that who came before. But donāt forget to honor them and respect their works!
See you in the next part as I tackle about going deeper and how to save your inspirations for later purpose.
Have a great week!
Ran xx
PS: I just posted a new video on my YouTube Channel!
In the spirit of accountability and goal setting, I repurposed my old YouTube channel with something that is more fulfilling. I aim to share my thoughts on the things I learned from books, including productivity, and journaling.
Hereās my first video sharing a quick update in the channel and the reason why I did it.
š Journal Prompt (from Day One App)
What would I like to accomplish in this new month?
š¶ šļø Music and Art Corner
Every week until the last Thursday of February, weāre going to feature some of the local artists and creators that you will find interesting and worth following. Be sure to check out these sections to see whoās worth following!
For this weekās artist feature, hereās NiƱo Angelou A. Estremos, also known as Onin
Onin is a 23 year-old songwriter and music producer based in Davao City. His genre is a combination of acoustic indie-based instrumentation with hints of synth pop. Onin's songwriting takes inspiration from his own romantic experiences.
His production is heavily influenced by OPM bands such as IV OF SPADES, One Click Straight, and the like.
Onin has also recently explored musical scoring for films with his colleague Chrismar Rue Soegaard for Mindanao Film Festival entries such as "Honor", "Call Me Santa", and "Lament of the Silent Crow" where he won the award for Best Musical Score.
Words of Wisdom for fellow Creators
Today, technology has evolved to be accessible to almost everyone. Tools that you can use to create art are already in the palm of your hands, even if you donāt have the best equipment. As long as you are willing to learn how to use them, you will eventually create something. Doubt will only prevent you from reaching your full potential, keep trusting your progress no matter the pace. Lastly, donāt be afraid to learn things your own way. That is how unique artists are made. -NiƱo Estremos (Onin)
Here are some of NiƱoās music that you will find listening to for hours because of the vibes it gives:
Kabilang Daigdig (This is my personal favorite)
Make sure to follow him in his social media platforms! Get out there and support his work, blast some speakers at full volume, and let them know about Onin!
š Readers Delight
From Creative Hackers Newsletter - What is your Creative Archetype? Take this quiz
Ancient City Discovered in Amazon Rainforest - Check it here
Check out this list of art-related events happening this month
šļø Words to Live by
Habit shouldnāt be something that shouldnāt be some mindless repeating of action, but a deliberate attempt of where you want to take your life -Felix Kjellberg (Pewdiepie)
š A small favor
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I am very welcome to comments and suggestions! If you think there is something that needs to be improved or if you want someone/something to be featured in the next issue, donāt hesitate to leave a comment!
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