BETWEEN THE LINES: Austin Kleon’s Steal Like An Artist Trilogy
Steal Like An Artist, Austin Kleon (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
It’s a Steal
Austin Kleon’s second book “Steal Like An Artist” published in 2012, and a subsequent New York Times Bestseller, deals with the concept of developing creative ideas.
Sub-titled “10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative” the book keeps things succinct, punchy and grounded in reality - offering 10 creativity principles in the form of bite-sized nuggets, many either illustrated, encapsulated in quotes or even poems.
The latter employs the style of Kleon’s first book, “Newspaper Blackout” where pages from the New York Times with all the words not required are blacked out with a permanent marker pen to create a residual poem.
It’s a refreshing, no nonsense and inherently self-creative take on being creative and whilst it is a short read, I’ve found it an extremely inspiring book to have around to dip in and out of.
It’s in no way preachy or condascending, providing healthy dollops of common sense, backed up by quotes from some excellent and diverse creative artists - Pablo Picasso, Jay-Z, Patti Smith, John Waters and T.S. Eliot being some notable and varied examples.
Sharing and Caring
Kleon repeats the trick whilst expanding his vision with “Show Your Work!” and “Keep Going” which again explore the subject matter using 10 key principles.
The Trilogy: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work and Keep Going, Austin Kleon (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
All three books have certainly galvanised my creative journey and helped my appreciation of how I should approach my writing in particular.
Indeed “Don't Wait Until You Know Who You Are to Get Started" amongst the principles of book one, resonates loudly.
I’ll be sure to keep stealing from Kleon’s hat-trick of pearls of wisdom as I continue my self-development, whilst also following his advice in sharing and showing my work as part of the journey.
Recommended for all as many of the concepts can be applied to any form of self-improvement.
The Austin Kleon trilogy: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going—essential reading for creative development (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
The Fourth Part of the Trilogy?
It also transpires that the trilogy will soon expand with a publication date of 2nd June 2026 for a follow up to “Steal Like An Artist” entitled “Don't Call It Art: 10 Ways To Create Like A Kid Again”.
“Just Make Stuff” he says!!
I’m in already…
