"Steal like an ARTIST"

I recently picked up a fabulous mini book called, "Steal Like an ARTIST" by Austin Kleon. This fantastic little book renewed my confidence as an artist.

"Steal Like an Artist" is chalked full of advice and artistic gems teaching you that it's alright to get your information and inspiration from other artists and the like. No idea is a new idea, just old ideas with a new spin on them. Without giving too much of the book away, one of my favorite pieces of advice Austin gives inspired me to do more research on some of my favorite artists and then to emulate what they have done. In doing so I was shocked and amazed that not only am I, "Stealing Like and Artist"  these artists, the ones that I so admire, also "Steal" from the artists they admire. Wow, what a break through and what a confirmation.

Austin also gives you permission to begin where you are. DON'T wait until you THINK you're good enough... just begin. No one is a brilliant writer or an amazing artist, a poised dancer or a dynamic singer the first day they start. No one! Think about that if you will for a moment. All the writers and artist. All the dancers and singers they all had to start some where and even though many, yes even most, of them might have natural talent for their given passion they had/have to put in thousands of hours practicing and sucking just like the rest of us. Until one day they feel like they are good enough to share what they do with the rest of the world. Some may feel like they are never good enough, yet they keep doing what they do for the pure pleasure of creating their work for their own selfish pleasure. For many, that's enough. I call that "Art Therapy" which is a topic for another day. :D

So, embrace where you are right now and begin. Then do it again and again and again. Let those you admire be the inspiration to keep you going through the rough patches, through the writers block, or through your own negative demons. Learn to "Steal Like an Artist" and keep moving forward. You will be happy that you did.