Read This: How to Steal Like an Artist
It may seem like I’m taking a break from garden writing to tell you about two Austinites whose websites are inspiring me this week, but there’s a connection. You’ll see.
First is Austin Kleon, author/artist of the book Newspaper Blackout. His inspiring and yet practical post How to Steal Like An Artist (and 9 Other Things Nobody Told Me) generated 1000 comments in 3 weeks before Austin disabled additional comments to keep from overloading his page.
It’s gone viral. So chances are you’ve already read it, but if not, you should. Why? you ask. I’m not an artist. Oh yes you are! If you love to garden you are definitely an artist, and his advice is for you. Do you love to write about gardening? I’m talking to all you bloggers now. His advice is for you too.
His first tip is, of course, “Steal like an artist.” He writes, “Every artist gets asked the question, “Where do you get your ideas?” The honest artist answers, “I steal them.” I laughed when I read that because just today I confessed “I totally stole that idea” to a visitor who exclaimed over my succulent-planted cinderblock wall. Austin says that artists understand that nothing is original, and that fills him with hope. Me too.
Tip number two is “Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things.” Or, to put it more succinctly, “Fake it ’til you make it.” To me this means, Don’t worry that you aren’t talented enough to make that garden you’ve always dreamed of. Don’t worry about people thinking you’re a fake when you call yourself a writer. The process of doing, Austin suggests, is what makes you who you are, not the opposite. This too is a liberating idea.
Check out the rest of Austin’s advice about being an artist—or, really, about living a full life—on his website.
The other Austin writer who is inspiring me lately is the one who turned me onto Austin Kleon. She was also one of my co-panelists at SXSWi, Tolly Moseley of Austin Eavesdropper. Three things I noticed when we met: she has a megawatt smile, fiery red hair, and personality to burn. She seemed like such a people-magnet extrovert that I couldn’t quite imagine her blog being anything but glossy and superficial.
Boy, was I wrong. I started reading Austin Eavesdropper about a month ago and am now addicted to her introspective but often wildly funny posts. Her blog isn’t easy to categorize. It’s an autobiographical exploration of place (Austin) and anything she’s drawn to, mostly art, music, food, and fashion. Check it out and see if it inspires you too.
All material © 2006-2011 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
It’s always nice to come across links like this. As a landscape architecture student, I feel that I struggle a lot of the time trying to come up with ideas. Eventually everything comes together but it takes a lot of input before getting to that point. It’s just good to hear someone admit that they face the same problems. Thanks!
This was so inspiring! Thank you for sharing this with me.
I will be checking this out, thank you…seems quite timely for me.
Great Post! I also missed the cinder block wall when you posted about it. That is a really awesome piece of art.
Thanks for the tips.
Nothing is original, it just needs your spin! Great post. Thanks for introducing us to new people with clarity!
AMEN! As a design practitioner for >20 years, “nothing is new under the sun”. Not even that quote… Everything is inspired – by either garbage or greatness – it may as well be greatness. Knowing and applying design principles gets one the latter. Thanks for sharing that, Ms. P. Digging!
Thank you, Pam. It’s always comforting to find out that inner thoughts, judgments and conversations are common to everyone. It helps us all feel more connected and able to be more authentic. I’m definitely going to read those blogs!
Two more blogs!! Will the weeds ever get pulled from the veggie garden???
It is true…the “nothing is new under the sun” thing. I used to paint, then had a craft business, then quilting and gardening…it’s all been done before. But, the more you DO the more creative you get, with your own ideas.
And, if you steal it, but credit it..isn’t that just…uh..borrowing??
Just sayin’….
Thanks for telling us about these sites. Have a good weekend, and a Happy Easter.
AH! Pam!!
I am so very flattered! This post absolutely made my day. Don’t you love Austin, and that “How to Steal Like an Artist” speech? I want him to turn it into a TED Talk.
And, thank you so much for the kind words on my blog! I’ve been lurking on yours ever since my husband and I found a house, which got my nascent gardener habits going. There’s some lattice outside just begging for some ivy …
Anyway, thank you thank you again for this post. I’m thrilled you enjoy Austin Eavesdropper.
Xo,
Tolly
Someone years ago, taught me the expression – to steal with your eyes. To look carefully, what, and how it is done – then make it your own.
Wonderful! That last bit of advice works for me, Pam – not so much as a gardener but as a musician ;-]
Someone on Twitter (pretty sure it was Austin icon Linda Ball of the Austin Texas Daily Photo) led the way to Austin Kleon a few years ago – quite a visionary. It amuses me that he’s from Ohio but ended up where his name matches his city.
I think I found Tolly on twitter, too – she is fun.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Pam, both these links are great finds. Thank you!
Thanks for the very inspiring links!
An art professor in college told my class “never borrow an idea, steal it and make it your own.”
Of all the things I heard and learned in college, that’s the one thing I remember most often.
Loving this post! I’m reading it now. Where was this kid when I was “finding” myself!???
Oh yea, people often ask me how I think of the creative things I do and I am to.ta.lly honest and say that I steal everything! I can’t think of anything, really, in my yard that was not an idea I got from someone else. I was just putting some wine corks in a planter today and thinking how clever people are and how glad I am so that I can do all the same cools stuff. I LOVE the newspaper blackout idea. Off to Apartmenttherapy.com to steal some ideas right now!
love the newspaper blackout writer! i sent links to his blog to my husband and two teenagers. he gets it! thanks for inspiring links!!