Steal like an Artist

I read, I saw, and I have done... but only the "good" kind.

Over the course of the last year and half, I have been studying art by copying artists whom I admire. This has been primarily to focus on honing my skills in drawing and inking as it relates to comics and illustrations. Interestingly, this was how I originally started when I was trying to teach myself oil, by copying pieces that I liked and wanted to study. That was over 13 years ago.

These studies do not just sit in the corner collecting dust. I do post the studies for others to observe for two reasons. First, I enjoy sharing the artwork that I am working on to share the joy that comes with "cool art." Plus it's nice to receive positive feedback. Second, it does allow me to inform a broader audience that I am artist, and keep that in their mind as my persona. Also, I get to share other artist's pieces, e.g. give credit, and spread the wealth. So far nothing has come of these postings, but at some point something may happen or not. Whatever.

However, the book and title of this blog is not about reproducing a singular piece and claiming it as your own on social media. Instead, it is about the deeper meaning behind Austin Kleon's premise, it is that in the end nothing can be original. Everything comes from somewhere, and the more you learn, watch, observe it will then amalgamate into something that is unique to you. It is the good theft that comes from life itself.

I personally steal through the power of the internet. I can google images and art to see what are the cool things that exist in the world. Recently, I stumbled across Instagram which is another great place to steal from. But the trick is to steal ... then honor, study, transform, and remix ... that is the moment you become an artist. However, that transition moment is the big question mark. How does one go from stealing to doing and doing original versus skimming, plagiarizing, imitating, and purely ripping off?

So if nothing can be original, can there be truly good theft, or just pure stealing ...