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How To Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon

How To Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 Buy the book: Amazon | B&N | More… Here’s what a few folks have said about it: “Brilliant and real and true.”—Rosanne Cash“Filled with well-formed advice that applies to nearly any kind of work.”—Lifehacker.com“Immersing yourself in Steal Like An Artist is as fine an investment in the life of your mind as you can hope to make.” Read an excerpt below… Tags: steal like an artist

http://austinkleon.com/2011/03/30/how-to-steal-like-an-artist-and-9-other-things-nobody-told-me/

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Great discussion, I hope there will be more. by wendylynne Jun 10

I guess that really depends on the individual. I've never let a statement affect how I create art. I think it's better to accept the truth (of course, it may not be considered the truth to everyone, this is just how I see it) and move on than to try and work my around it. I know nothing is original but that doesn't stop me or hinder me in any way. In fact, I think it helps me...I'm not afraid of my influences like I used to be when when I first started really studying art. Instead, I challenge myself even more to try and make my own original take on an idea that's already been created. Most times I don't even think about it at all. It's just something to keep in mind. by nardar Jun 9

I see what you mean, about the levels of abstraction. But in order to really get through those successful levels of abstraction, you have to start somewhere. Anyway, I wonder if I'll still hold the same opinion 5 years from now. "Nothing is original" is what I have been taught and also what I have observed and experienced in my days as an artist...but who's to say that maybe there is something out there that hasn't been seen before? by nardar Jun 9

Here's how I think about the topic of "nothing is original". If I believe nothing is original, I will be satisfied with making derivative art. If I believe originality is possible, I will strive to do better work. So my belief is based on how useful it is to my life. I agree it is a matter of definition, or "level of abstraction". You can look at Van Gogh's Sunflowers and say, oh, everybody paints flowers." Or you can look at them and appreciate that no one every painted them like he did, before he came along. And by the same token, no one will paint them the way you do. Even if you were to try to copy his painting, the work would still have something of you in it,especially if you try to find your own way of painting it. So I think the statement, or belief, that nothing is original, can lead to laziness. That is why I don't accept it. I really didn't expect all this discussion when I first posted. New to pearltrees. by wendylynne Jun 9

I agree and disagree with your point. I guess it's all about levels of abstraction. In my opinion there are lots of new and original ideas, pieces of art, products, whatever... The concrete object with its special form, its concrete colours is original and new. But then one can always say, but it has got a shape which can be found ... And yes, there are colours, there is some red and then there is some green colouring and those two colours can be found there and there, too. But what about the unique combination? Where can that be found? On a certain abstract level there is nothing new, but our sensual perception likes the concrete impression. by friedrichwulf Jun 9

If someone can give me an example of something completely and utterly original...something that is not influenced (either knowingly or unknowingly) by another artist, then I will change my opinion about the statement "nothing is original". Because, frankly, it's pretty much true. Everything that can be done HAS been done by SOMEBODY in the recent or distant past. It's all about recreating and making something that influenced you completely your own. by nardar Jun 9

Let me reply with a quote from an artist: -"Let us not forget that original comes from origin" Eduardo Chillida And now from a book about Entropy and physics : Since ancient times, men has been always looking for some element of stability and security in the middle of the change. "There is nothing new under the sun" said the wise Solomon (960 - 927 a. C). With this he meant: yes, everything changes, but it is not bad nor irreparable. Because at the end everything repeats itself. -Vittorio Silvestrini, what is Entropy by milotron Jun 9

Well, it is a bit over the top, I guess. But some people hold the opinion that there is nothing new under the sun. Those poor people who think differently either have not experienced or read enough. by friedrichwulf Jun 8

Actually I don't agree with the statement that "nothing is original", but there are lots of other inspiring ideas in this article. by wendylynne Jun 8

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