The Thief in Marrakesh
A Familiar Face
“Steal Like an Artist” by ,
the book I borrowed from a coworker this week. The entire premise is that nothing in the world is original. Everything is a remix to some degree, building on predecessors. Inspiration is different than plagiarism. I flipped through the first couple pages at my desk, brought it home, and finished it that night. That’s not me bragging about my reading ability (it’s a short book), but more a testament to how much I enjoyed it. I found myself writing nearly as much as I was reading — jotting down notes, marking page numbers, and “connecting dots”… It’s a great feeling to stumble upon something that makes clear sense of your thoughts.
I find myself trying to connect patterns for weeks… There’s a lot of partial breakthroughs, but the full lightbulb moment often comes when I read or listen to someone else describe the same thing. It feels like putting a puzzle together… pretty easy and obvious when it’s all done, but maybe I couldn’t see the full picture when I was in the thick of it. Sometimes someone else is holding the piece (or perspective) I need.
I was never big on book reports, so you’ll have to read it yourself… but I think the 6th chapter sums everything up pretty well. It’s titled, “Do Good Work and Share It With People”. For the sole fact that it brings you joy. Study your sources of inspiration and try to outdo them. Brainstorm, create, iterate… develop your personal style. Share not only your results but your process. Share your secrets, even. Here’s a secret of mine:
I hated my side-hustle
I started doing creative work for money a few years ago. I figured I’d use my creative passions to keep busy, challenge myself, and have fun. I did some photography. I started selling illustrations on Fiverr. Then I hand painted shoes for people. Then I started doing logos and apparel designs. I even painted wall art for restaurants and city events.
You know what my takeaway from all that was? That I hated 90% of it.
What a shitty realization to face. It was disheartening. I didn’t even want to think about it… pushed it aside whenever it crossed my mind. I ignored people who reached out and were interested in working together (not a great way to run a business).
After some time, and a lot more thinking, I realized it wasn’t the pursuits that I’d grown to dislike… that much was obvious, because I was still photographing and making art with enjoyment… I just didn’t like doing it for certain people, especially when their ideas sucked.
I’m thankful I came to terms with that, because it changed the intent of how and why I create. It was my missing perspective-puzzle piece. Almost everything I create is for myself now. If it involves money, I choose wisely. Probably leaves some bread on the table, but I get a lot more out of life putting time and energy towards things I like.
Protect that.
It’s best to walk with company
I’ve got more free time now that I’m not building a motorcycle in my apartment. It’s about time to get back to making things. Clothes, mainly, are what I started working on in Los Angeles. I dipped a toe into screen-printing, but now it’s time to go further.
These hobbyist endeavors are intimidating. A lot of trial and error… often more losses than wins. It’s harder to go it alone. One thing that’s helped me beyond measure is the shared knowledge on the internet. Learning photography and editing… art and illustration… Photoshop and Illustrator… it’s so much easier when someone lends their expertise.
I’ll remind you: I’m no expert. I’ve learned a thing or two so far… and I’ll learn some more in the next few months. Photography, art and screen printing, and whatever else I can think of… I’ll start working it in here.
Inactivity from lack of knowledge is the worst excuse to have, but all too common.
Fun stuff:
There’s no words, but this is a funky instrumental. The scenery in Valley of Fire made me think of a foreign, desert land.
Thanks for reading.
Keep on truckin’. See you out there.
Anti-shitty idea corporation
Great read! Artists struggle so much behind the scenes. Fulfillment in a creative career does not come easy especially when people have their own ideas of what your art should be.