We often think of creativity as something that strikes like lightning—an original idea from nowhere. But in Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon flips that on its head: creativity is not about being completely original. It is about collecting inspiration from the world around you and remixing it into something that feels like your own.
Kleon reminds us that every artist—whether a painter, coder, writer, or musician—is a collector. The trick is to collect selectively, study deeply, and build upon the ideas that speak to you. Do not steal the style—steal the thinking behind the work. Even great artists like Leonardo da Vinci drew inspiration from the world around them—the angels in his paintings were modelled after the doves he closely observed.
One of my favourite lessons from the book is this: “Don’t wait until you know who you are to get started.” We grow into our identity by doing, not by sitting and planning endlessly. Your work will shape you just as much as you shape your work.
And perhaps the most liberating idea? You do not need to be a genius. You just need to show up, do the work, and let the dots connect over time.