Thursday 25 April 2013

Artful Reading Book 4

Steal Like An Artist ... 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative.

Author - Austin Kleon

Publisher : Workman publishing - New York

ISBN 978-0-7611-6925-3

This little book may not be big in size but it certainly packs a lot into it.

Austin Kleon divides his book into 10 Chapters and they are listed on the back cover as well as inside the book, I will share them here with you to give you a true flavour of what lies within the covers.

  1. Steal like an artist.
  2. Don't wait until you know who you are to get started.
  3. Write the book you want to read.
  4. Use your hands.
  5. Side projects and hobbies are important.
  6. The secret: Do good work and share it with people.
  7. Geography is no longer our master.
  8. Be nice. ( The world is a small town.)
  9. Be boring. ( It's the only way to get work done. )
  10. Creativity is subtraction.

The author points out that this book is not just for artists and I totally agree with him. It a motivational book to get everyone's creative juices flowing. He gives you strategies to use in your everyday life be it whilst you are sat at your desk creating art, writing a book or just surfing the Internet.

Many quotes are used through out the book are always used in context. One I loved was by the cartoonist, Lynda Barry, "In the digital age, don't forget to use your digits!" Austin Kleon emphasises this by adding, Your hands are the original digital devices. Use them.

I found myself wanting to put some of his ideas into practice straight away and look forward using them all at some point in the future in my art and in my life in general.

The style the book is written in makes it easy and fun to read and if you visit Austin Kleon website :

AUSTIN KLEON is a writer who draws. You will see how creative he is and you will also enjoy a good read.

I read the book in one sitting but I have gone back to it many times since, just to read again some of the great quotes and ideas.

I would certainly recommend this book to anyone, if you feel that your creative mojo has gone walk about this book will help you find it. I can see why it was a New York Times best seller.

For my art I have used a technique I have 'Stolen' from AndySkinner.org . I have been lucky enough to have been on a few of Andy's classes and the last one I went to was using a Gelli plate for making your own mono prints. This is one of the prints I produced at the workshop. I have added some of my own quotes using a technique that I have previously used in my art journalling and a smilar technique Austin Kleon used when writing his first book Newspaper Blackout, a book of poems.

Every poem he wrote was made with newspaper article and a permanent marker, therefore, it did not feel like work but more like play.

The circle was created using a paper doily.
This is a quote to remind me I can create art!
These words were cut from magazines.
I have used Deco art acrylic paints.
Silhouette using Andy's stencil.

Finally at the begining of this month I went to the Alexandra Palace Scrapbook and Stamping show and who should I meet there but the lovely Darcy who set up the Artful Readers Club. It was great to meet you Darcy and even get share your yummy cupcakes.

Darcy and me.

Next month I plan to read Earth's Elders: The Wisdom of the World's Oldest People.

Thanks for visiting.

 

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed your review and the are that came from it I will defo got to the links and have a look thanks for sharing, happy ARC Dxx

Virginia said...

Fabulous book review, sounds like a good read and I'm always up for a motivational book - so might purchase this one! Loving the art work too

Janet said...

Looks to be a very useful book. Your artwork is great and love the vibrant colours and textures you have created.

Janet xx

Lynne said...

Interesting!!!! Who is Darcy?

Shirley said...

Lynne, Darcy is the lovely lady who set up the Artful Readers Club.

AlliR said...

Love the background of your art piece, the bright colours are fab. A great review of the book too :-)

Curly said...

Wow that certainly sounds a good read I may have to find it too. Love that art work I know the colours are amazing aswell as the design. Super thanks Shirl.

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I want to read this book! Looks like it got your creative juices going. :) Love the picture of you and Darcy.

San @ Made in Hem said...

I think I need to read/have this book! Like right now! I'm struggling with my creativity...
And I love your page!!! I love to cut out little snippets of text! I used to do it a lot but somehow I forgot about it... It's so silly, how can you forget about something you really like???

Magaly Guerrero said...

I LOVE number 2, because if you wait you might never get started.

The bright colors of your art, matched with the dark silhouettes are an eclectic dance for the soul.

Gina said...

What a great review Shirley! I have heard many art friends talking about this book, but didn't realise what it was lol...sounds like a "must have" for all creative types(and me) :D XXX

Sarah said...

I have had this book on my Amazon wishlist before, but took it off after reading some bad reviews. Now having read your enthusiastic review I’m putting it back on – I’m so easily swayed :D

LOVE LOVE LOVE your art – stolen from Andy Skinner maybe, but you have definitely put your own twist on it

Jez said...

You actually look as though you could be Darcy's sister!
I actually saw this book on Amazon, and wondered about buying it but passed on. Your review makes me realise I should have stopped a little longer and ordered it, so I'll be going back to do so. I enjoyed your review, and think that your artwork is fantastic, and so are all the quotes and the stitching together of cut-out words which always works so well when they have meaning, as yours do..

Leialoha said...

Aloha Shirley...love this review and your FABulous art piece...I happen to LOVE layers and textures with words added to enhance the piece's meaning. What a cute photo of you and Darcy...! Thanks.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I apologize for taking so long to get here. And to think you visited me so quickly.

Your endorsement of this book made me realize it must be wonderful. After all, what could be better than returning to a book over and over, especially a craft book.

Seems like everyone is using one of those gelli plates now days. It is the hottest art product around. Love what you have made and the wonderful quotes, too.

It was good to see you and Darcy together. As someone who lives across a very large pond and a wide river from you two, it was living and sharing vicariously.

Darcy Marshall said...

was so amazingly awesome to meet you, and keep bumping into you lol So glad you came over and said hello.

I have added this book to my list, I really think i would find it useful.

Love,love your gelli plate art. it is so totally my style. I too cut words out from books and magazines, though haven't done it for a while.

Jen said...

Fabulous piece of art work. I have just acquired my Gelli plate and managed a couple of plays with it before coming away on holiday. Your page is great inspiration and the book sounds like one more for me to read. Thanks for the review.
Jen x

abby j said...

If your art is a result of the book you reviewed, I MUST READ IT!! Great review, great art...great inspiration!!

Julie Lee said...

This is truly inspirational! I loved your review and had to devour every word. Now I must read the book! I also loved your artwork - so vibrant and it kind of invites you to join in, to create and to have fun. I want to try this out now. Thank you so much for sharing this. Thanks for welcoming me to ARC too! x

Maz said...

Great review, this book sounds really helpful so I may have to check it out sometime. Love your artwork - totally my style. x

DocAngi said...

Playing catch up from April; then I will do May...Great book! I have it! I LOVE the artwork it inspired!