Austin Kleon is known for three smart books about being an artist: Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work, and Keep Going. Now, all three of them are together in one audio book narrated by the author. If you or anyone you know is wanting to make art, make more art, make better art, or have more fun doing it, then these books are filled with helpful lists to inspire you and keep you on track.
Steal Like an Artist is up first, so that you can learn to make art by stealing from the artists who inspire you. You can use your hands and your hobbies, take al the different parts of you and put them together to help you find your voice. And as you learn to do good work and share it with the world, you find others who are like-minded (or at least like-spirited, curious and kind). Steal Like an Artist offers a roadmap to help you find your art and your voice while keeping your life in balance.
Show Your Work is about getting your work done and putting it out there. It’s about taking one small step every day until your progress is a complete project. Kleon talks about making quality work and then sharing it with the world. Whether you share what you know through teaching, by sharing it on the internet, by writing, or drawing, or taking photos, or by cooking or crafting or any way that you can, Kleon emphasizes how sharing your creative efforts can open up doors to new ideas, new friends, and new opportunities. And he gives you a whole new perspective on selling out.
And in Keep Going, he talks about finding ways to keep yourself inspired, no matter how hard it gets. He compares being an artist with being in the movie Groundhog Day, that every day starts to feel the same. You have to find ways to keep moving forward. You have to find your own happiness and pay attention to the right things. Make gifts for others, change your mind, tidy up (unless you need the inspiration that comes from making a mess), and go for a walk.
Austin Kleon writes the books he needs. When he needed to solidify what it takes to live a creative life, he started writing it down. When he was trying to figure out how to get discovered and what success means to him, he wrote it down. When he needed inspiration to keep plodding along, he wrote it down. And then he did the thing he encourages other authors to do—he shares his wisdom with others.
If you’re already a fan of his and know his books for their spirited designs, then you may be put off by the idea of an audio book. But with this audio book, you get the words in the voice of the author himself. There is a special value in hearing Kleon himself read his work that can’t be found in the printed books. To get the full experience of his wisdom and whimsy, I’d recommend getting both the audio and the print (or ebook) versions of these books.
If you know a young artist, or a struggling artist, this audio book might be the perfect gift to help them get started, or to find their groove again. Or maybe you want more creativity in your own life. It’s great for that too. This audio trilogy is a great way to add some more heart to your life and to share it with others. Read these, share these, and be creative every day.
A copy of the audiobook was provided by Workman Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.
