Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Steal Like an Artist is a fun, easy-to-read book that changed the way I think about creativity. I read this book years ago, but its message still sticks with me today. If you’re a creator or want to be more creative, this book will give you a new way to look at making things.

The main idea is that nothing we create is truly original. Everything we make comes from things we’ve seen, heard, or experienced. The author, Austin Kleon, uses examples like Picasso to show that artists take ideas from the world around them and turn them into something new. We’re always picking up bits and pieces—whether from other artists, life experiences, or feelings—and putting them together in our own way.

For me, I think about it like an alchemist. All the materials already exist, but the artist mixes them together based on what they’ve learned and experienced. This book made me realize that everything I create doesn’t really belong to me alone—it belongs to the world. The knowledge and ideas I use were once shared with me, just as I share them with others.

A true artist understands that creativity isn’t about coming up with something from nothing—it’s about taking what’s already out there and shaping it into something fresh and meaningful. Instead of stressing about being completely original, we should focus on creating from what inspires us. If you want to grow as a creative person, this book is a great place to start!

I highly recommend Steal Like an Artist to anyone who wants to think differently about creativity.