Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is widely praised for its engaging and accessible advice on creativity, making it a favorite among artists and writers. It encourages borrowing inspiration while fostering originality. Some critics find the content simplistic and the ideas unoriginal. Overall, it's a motivational read for creatives but may lack depth for some readers.

A reader who enjoys Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is likely a creative individual seeking inspiration and practical advice on embracing creativity in their everyday life. Similar to readers of Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic and Steven Pressfield's The War of Art, they value originality, self-expression, and actionable insights on artistic pursuits.

Steal Like an Artist, a creative self-help book by Austin Kleon, offers ten pieces of advice on sustaining a creative practice in the digital age. It encourages artists to "steal" from their inspirations, use analog tools, balance work and play, leverage the internet to build creative communities, and maintain financial stability and routines for long-term success. Topics in the book include drug and alcohol use, mental health, and suicide.

Inspirational / Informative / Playful / Hopeful / Contemplative

- Steal Like an Artist was inspired by a talk given by Austin Kleon at a community college in upstate New York, which then went viral after Kleon posted the list of ten things he shared online.
- Austin Kleon is not just an author but also a visual artist known for his "Newspaper Blackout Poems," where he creates poetry by redacting newspaper articles with a marker.
- The book emphasizes creativity and originality, drawing influence from a wide range of sources, including quotes and ideas from famous artists, writers, and thinkers.

Austin Kleon

Adult

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Nonfiction

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Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore Steal Like an Artist and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Steal Like an Artist Summary and Study Guide

Background

Steal Like an Artist Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 1 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 2 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 3 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 4 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 5 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 6 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 7 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 8 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 9 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 9 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 10 Steal Like an Artist Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

Steal Like an Artist Themes

Index of Terms

Steal Like an Artist Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Steal Like an Artist Essay Topics

Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Steal Like an Artist?

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Book Details