Confession: I have a ridiculous amount of terrific books in my art library (and my self-help library. More on that later, maybe) which I have not read. (It’s nice to know that they’re there, and I somehow feel more creative, intelligent and enlightened for just having them.) However, it’s a good bet that I’m far more likely to consume smallish books than the big fat dense ones. So when I discovered the insanely affordable “Steal Like an Artist: 10 things nobody told you about being creative” by Austin Kleon, I gobbled it up.
Amazon kept suggesting to me that I might want to buy this book, based on my search history. (duh) So eventually I did. And I’m so glad I did…I’ve gone through it multiple times, given it to a bunch of art-friends, and now I’m writing a blog- post about it. I’ve found this little gem immensely helpful, in a bunch of ways. I’ll let the pics tell the story:
Good vs. Bad…
AHA…The Secret…..
ATTENTION..!!!!!
Don’t worry, be happy…
wondering…
Austin is, as he puts it, a writer who draws. His new book “Show Your Work! 10 ways to share your creativity and get discovered”* (*really sweet mini-video here) is about to be released in March. As Austin says, it’s about process, not product. “You make things, you make things happen; you want to get yourself out there… but you don’t want promoting your work to take away from what you do.” By being open and freely sharing your process, you can gain a following. Doors will open. Connections will happen. I’m working on it.
Austin Kleon is a writer and artist living in Austin, Texas. He’s the author of two bestselling books: Steal Like an Artist, a manifesto for creativity in the digital age, and Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poetry made by redacting newspaper articles with a permanent marker. He speaks about creativity for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist. Visit him online at www.austinkleon.com.
Thanks, Austin, for your awesome insight, generosity, and really great advice.
To purchase “Steal Like an Artist” on Amazon, click here. To pre-order “Show Your Work” click here.
[with thanks to Theo, my four-legged studio assistant and model.]
cleaning up the studio 
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Nice Blog Karen! It feels like your layer work, your writing, his work, pictures, words, a visual creative journey.
Marilyn
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thank you Marilyn..!! I’m stepping out of my comfort zone with this. .. You have been an inspiration for me, along with some other amazing creative.. souls. Love to you!!
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A friend JUST told me about this cool book and here it pops up again! You did Austin (and yourself) so proud! GREAT pics & insights you shared (plus Theo!) Joslin Fields forwarded your blog and I’m so glad she did 🙂 Ò Love! We are so on the same page – I’m signing up! (You can find my self-help/creative blog at http://www.nothingshortofjoy.com/blog/ ≈ Cheers to our journey!
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Thank you so much, Julie…!! I am HONORED. And about to follow your blog. And get your book. I’m in the process of expanding and discovering, and choosing to do this blog is a big step for me. Thanks for your kind and joyous support!! See you around the ‘net as we journey onward……xox
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thanks for this excellent post Karen.
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hey thank YOU Ken… I love feedback!
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This looks like the perfect book to read right now. Thanks so much for the recommendation!
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You’re so welcome and thank YOU karen!! I love seeing your gorgeous images. Congrats on your show.. also did you enter the landscape show I told you about? I decided not to at the last minute; did not feel like I had anything right for the show, and also it conflicts with my big show coming up in April… I’ll need everything I have for that show.
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Ooh Karen, thank you so much for ‘sharing’ this with us!
“Don’t worry about unity from piece to piece”. – right now I am so glad I read that! Think I need to get this book NOW! Thank you!
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Glad it’s the right thing at the right time, Nancy…! xox
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I love this book too! I’ll be interested in check out Show Your Work. Wonderful share! 😉 xo
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xox 🙂
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What a great book! It leaves one with a smile – perfect for a gift. 🙂
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🙂
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