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Austin Kleon

Austin Kleon

3 books · 3 interviews

design

What they argue

Austin Kleon is a thinker who explores the craft of creativity, focusing on the transition from private creation to public practice. He works in the territory of artistic production, advocating for a shift away from the myth of the 'Lone Genius' toward a disciplined, process-oriented approach to making work.

  1. The Myth of the Lone Genius

    The idea that great works are produced by solitary, inspired individuals who 'just know' how to create is a lie that creates a barrier to entry. Creativity is actually a craft and a series of repetitions rather than a bolt of lightning.

    From Show Your Work! (book)

    • Says much the same Julia Cameron — The Myth of the MuseInspiration is not a magical force that arrives only to the 'chosen' few, but rather a byproduct of consistent practice. If you wait for inspiration, you will never…Letters to a Young Artist
    • A related idea Rick Rubin — External Data as the Source of CreationThe primary obstacle to creativity is the belief that it is a private act of self-expression. In reality, everything we create comes from outside of us, and the artist…From Broken Record: Rick Rubin in Conversation with Malcolm Gladwell

  2. The Art of Stealing

    Originality is a myth because every creator is a 'remix' of their influences. While good artists borrow a piece of someone's work, great artists steal the internal process, logic, and 'why' of their influences.

    From Steal Like an Artist (book)

  3. The Apprentice Method

    To understand how a master works, you must mimic them exactly through a 'copying' exercise. This is an internal education where the apprentice performs the 'grunt work' of the master to learn the craft.

    From Steal Like an Artist (book)

  4. The Death of the 'Black Box'

    The ability to produce a masterpiece in total isolation and then release it to the world is no longer a viable primary strategy in a crowded market. Because the system for surfacing work is so crowded, creators must find ways to be visible during the process.

    From Austin Kleon on Fueling Artistic Ambition (episode)

  5. The 'Show Your Work' Workflow

    To move from private creator to public practitioner, one should document the process and share the 'why' behind the work. This involves sharing the sketches and steps that lead to a finished piece rather than just the final result.

    From Show Your Work! (book)

  6. The 'Show Your Work' Strategy

    To build a sustainable creative career, creators should stop waiting for a 'big reveal' and start sharing the 'messy middle.' This involves identifying the 'how' of the work and sharing the process of creation.

    From Austin Kleon on Fueling Artistic Ambition (episode)

Every idea names the summary it came from. Written by a local model from this mind’s own work, never from memory.

Books 3

Interviews 1

Open Austin Kleon in Originals