Book notes on Steal like an artist (Part 1 / 12)

Book notes on Steal like an artist, by Austin Kleon

 Notes: I originally took notes on this book in 2018. I typed them up in April of this year, adding personal reflections to my notes, displayed in orange.

Chapter 1: Creative Lineage

• When people give advice, they’re talking to their past selves.
• I wish I could go back in time and mentor myself. I had to learn many lessons the hard way because I didn’t seek much guidance from others.
• Is it worth stealing? If not, then move on.
• The only art I study is stuff I can steal from - David Bowie
• While doing my file cleanup, I followed a set of rules I made for myself to determine which images were worth keeping.
• What do I like about it? Does it spark any emotions?
• Would I pay to keep this image?
• Would I pay to have a physical copy of this image?
• Does this image inspire me in some way?
• Is there something I could learn from this image?
• We are free from the burden of being 100% original. Nothing is original
• You can’t create something out of a vacuum
• Ideas are just mashups of other existing ideas
• “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” - The Bible
• One of my biggest regrets is trying to draw entirely from imagination. I didn’t get much done that way.
• Collect and curate ideas to be influenced by- things that speak to your soul
• Louis Wain’s artworks, especially those produced later in life which have a timeless quality. Colorful and cartoon-like, but also hints at the profound sadness and inner turmoil in his personal life
• Erin Hanson’s colorful scenery paintings that shine like jewels. I have never seen colors that pop with such spectacular vibrance.
• Stained glass: Beautiful, epic, and majestic. Its many colors and patterns glitter in the sunlight
• Art deco: The perfect combination of simplicity, modern color and form. Cute tomboyish girls expressing their newfound social freedoms. Not only do I love the visual style, but to me it is a symbol of hope and radical social progress.