As I have been casting about looking for topics, a particular book title kept popping into my head: Steal Like an Artist. This little book made its way into our house a couple of years ago and even though it has an awesome title I never read it. In my desperation for a blogging topic I tracked it down and cracked it open. Eureka!
With chapter topics like: "Don't wait until you know who you are to get started" and "Side projects and hobbies are important" this book was speaking my language.
The first chapter alone is worth the price of admission. Somehow the author makes over used nuggets like "Nothing is Original" and "Garbage in Garbage Out" seems fresh and original. My favorite quote he chose to illustrate this chapter was by Jim Jarmusch.
"Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be a authentic."
In the world of toy photography where everything is emulated and much is passed around without attribution, it's important to note that by using the world "steal" the author is encouraging you to be inspired by everything you see, but don't plagiarize.
Unless me2 suddenly shows up, I'll talk about some of my other favorite chapters later this week. Stay tuned!
~ xxsjc
Homage to Robert Mapplethorpe
I agree. Work that draws from a canon of classic media or cultural icons is richer through the association.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support Lyn! I think you are an amazing, articulate woman.
DeleteWell, if you keep on posting such interesting posts I may just go hiding a little longer :-)
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I struggled with this week when on the road was actually commenting here on stuckinplastic. For some weird reason my iphone did not want to play along.
But I am working on my road workflow.
This post talks about the idea of “steal like an artist,” encouraging people to learn from others, remix ideas, and build something unique based on inspiration and experience. When preparing for rigorous professional goals like the PMP exam, many individuals also look for strategic ways to succeed, including considering whether to Pay someone to take PMP exam when time is tight or pressure is high. It’s all about finding the best path to your own accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of “stealing like an artist” highlights how inspiration, creativity, and consistent effort shape meaningful work. It shows that learning from different sources and refining ideas is part of growth, not copying. The same approach applies to academics, where understanding concepts and presenting them in your own structured way matters. When tasks feel overwhelming, searching for support like do my finance assignment for me helps you stay focused and organized.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of finding inspiration everywhere really resonates, especially when it comes to creative projects like blogging or photography. It’s impressive how the book emphasizes taking cues from the world around you while still keeping your work authentic. Just as curating ideas thoughtfully strengthens your creative output, protecting essential tools is important too. Using a reliable lock for 3 battery setups ensures that your devices stay secure and organized, letting you focus on your projects without worrying about misplacing or damaging your power sources during the creative process.
ReplyDelete