Austin Kleon, Steal Like An Artist
Rereading Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist wasn't as good as the first time. Since then, I've read his Show Your Work twice and followed his daily postings. I've been following his advice and creating. Steal Like An Artist wasn't as good this time because I've moved forward just as he has advised.
My first reading was a series of revelations and ah-ha moments: Yeah, that's a good idea. I should do that. I thought a lot but didn't do much yet. I let it ferment. His ideas seemed right, but I wasn't ready to do the work. I needed time to read more of his work and create more of my own. I look back and see that reading Steal Like An Artist was a pivotal moment in my progress.
The book is well worth the hour it takes to read. I changed habits because of it. The ideas in it connected with those of Wendell Berry and Anne Lamott, Donald Hall and Natalie Goldberg. These help me develop my own ideas about work, writing, and living well. The book doesn't demand readers be artists, but it left me sure I wanted to become one.
Kleon is a teacher who helps me find my best and chase adventure. The book has me wanting to create. It leads right into his Show Your Work which has led to even better things for me. Go buy both books and start your own adventure.
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