Foundations
Artist Talks
MIRO BOARD-LINK
Drawing is looking, and looking is loving
-Wendy MAcNaughton
STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST
-AUSTIN KLEON
10 Transformative Principles
Question 1: There is a fine line between between plagiarism and imitation. How can one be inspired by the work of others without “stealing” and plagiarising?
Question 2: If you could add an 11th transformative principle to the list above, what would it be?
- Steal Like an Artist
Learn everything about the people that inspire you and the people that inspire them. Study their ideas and works and embrace the influence doing so has on your own. Commonly, neophyte artists are hesitant to produce until they are able to produce something entirely their own. Instead of being scared of having influences, embrace them. - Don’t Wait Until You Know Who You are to Get Started
Instead of focusing on who you are creatively and then produce once you are clearly defined, just start creating. If you aren’t sure what to make, imitate your heroes. As you strive to be like them, your own personality and style will mature the product into your own. Just get started. - Write the Book You Want to Read
Instead of the adage “write what you know”, you should instead write what you like. Produce that which you would like to see in the world. This could start as simple as a bullet point list, which could then blossom into a paragraph, then a short essay, and so on. Similarly, jot down words until the poem is formed. Don’t worry about what you should be writing. Instead, write what you want to read. - Use your Hands
Creativity involves more than analytic thinking. Accessing the creative aspects of your mind can be difficult while stationary and focused on a computer screen. Use your hands, paper, post-its, anything to bring yourself more physically involved in the creative process. Yes, this may require keeping pen and paper around. - Side Projects and Hobbies are Important
Pursue a variety of projects at once. When you tire of one, switch to another. Don’t worry about completion. Oftentimes these various outlets will synergize and lead to interesting combinations of passions and skills. There is no structured way to get a project to the finish line, so don’t be afraid to meander a bit. - The Secret: Do Good Work and Share it with People
Share your creations, content, or questions online or among peers. Get feedback, and inspire each other. These peers are your community and a safe place to bounce ideas, develop thoughts, and push each other further than each would get as an individual alone. - Geography is No Longer Our Master
With the internet, the entire world is accessible through your devices. Mentors or influences could be thousands of miles away, but close enough electronically for meaningful and regular interactions. At the same time, creativity is often sparked by boredom or times when the mind is strolling about aimlessly. And when your environment gets stifling – leave. Visit the woods, a mall two towns over, a foreign country. Expose yourself to new cultures and environments. - Be Nice (The Word is a Small Town)
Thanks to today’s increased interconnectivity, writing ill of someone will likely get back to him or her. Time spent on personality conflicts is time not spent creating! Be supportive of others and keep a positive attitude. - Be Boring (It’s the Only Way to Get Work Done)
Here’s the practical section. In order to be creative and productive you need the basics – enough money to support yourself, scheduled time dedicated to your craft, a calendar with personal goals, and, ideally, a supportive and inspiring partner. Like in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you cannot get to the top of the pyramid without the basics first. - Creativity is Subtraction
Focus on what is most important to you. Instead of worrying about limitations, see what you can produce within them.
Question 1: There is a fine line between between plagiarism and imitation. How can one be inspired by the work of others without “stealing” and plagiarising?
Question 2: If you could add an 11th transformative principle to the list above, what would it be?