You know how people are always asking,
Have you read any good books lately?
I’m happy to say,
YES! I HAVE!!!
If you want to give your creative life a boost read this book!
It’s inspiring and informative and just plain fun to read.
Kleon says…
So you might as well embrace influence.
Kleon suggests remixing and reimagining, promoting imitation and copying, which when pushed one step further becomes emulation.
Johnny Carson tried to be Jack Benny.
David Letterman tried to be Johnny Carson.
Conan O’Brien tried to be David Letterman.
In their failure, they became themselves.
SUGGESTIONS:
Educate Yourself:
Google Everything
Surround yourself in books
Be curious about the world you live in
Collect and Store Good Ideas:
Carry a notebook and a pen wherever you go
Take pictures with your phone camera
Do the work you want to see done:
Write the book you want to read
Draw the art you want to see
Play the music you want to hear
Use your hands:
There is nothing like feeling your hand move across the page.
Handwriting is a form of art; it’s like drawing, which is why I was saddened to read, Handwriting Just Doesn’t Matter.
I strongly disagree.
Art can be done on computer but how sad it would be if we stopped using our hands. I do all my first drafts with a pen and paper. My brain works differently somehow (more linear) when I write on a computer.
More Advice:
Don’t worry about Imposter Sydrome. We all suffer from it.
Take on the Fake It Til You Make It mantra.
Show up and do your best work!!
There are so many valuable tips in Steal Like An Artist.
And they work!
Take it from me, I stole from Kleon’s book and got this blog post.
And speaking less poetically but one based on fact, when working at IFG, company focused on active wear and part of the Adjmi Group of companies, we would use the major active wear brands for inspiration. Try to emulate from the best. Or how I would often describe it –
NIKE-offs. Overall look and quality of product with our value added spin. Fred Levine
That’s it Fred!! And what Kleon is reminding us is that it’s okay. So many people think they are "stealing" and it’s wrong to do. He’s saying it’s always been done, get over it and, "Just do it!"
Immitation is a form of flattery!!
I never worry about copy-catters Because I am always creating and grateful for gifts of talent!!! You know you are on to something when they acuse you of being a genious or crazy—- They are a step behind but there is room for us all !!!! I remember opening the new york times and seeing somebody won the award for a sweater design and took the prize . It was my original design on a full page . They simply knocked me off! Ultimately I felt better than they did .
Picasso said good artist copy, great artists steal
An old biblical statement from Ecclesiastes states " there is nothing new under the sun " or what has been done will be done again.
Great blog. It’s what we built our business on. Learning from others.
We call it… "best practices". By example : who is the original designer of a men’s suit… The rest are great copies.
excellent blog. headed to the bookstore today……
Love this post Corie!