Key lessons from Austin Kleon's "show your work!"

Summary:

1. Don't be a genius; be a scenius to be creative. All you have to do is look at everything around you with wonder and curiosity, just like a child does.

2. Creativity is a collaborative act. Don't isolate yourselves to find your ideas. Go out and brainstorm. Find ideas online and offline.

3. Create every day because something is better than nothing!

4. Don't be afraid to be an amateur. Being a beginner means you have many possibilities and ideas. Don't be scared to make mistakes, either, because that's how you learn the best lessons.

5. Be a lifelong learner. Be obsessed with your passions. Commit to learning something new whenever possible.

6. Enthusiasm is contagious. You might inspire those who need it.

7. Share your work authentically and unapologetically!

8. Death is inevitable. So, don't wait for things to happen. Make it happen.

9. Process >> Product. Enjoy the journey of creating art.

10. Document the process and share. Sharing how you shaped your work creates a unique and authentic bond with your audience. It lets them see the human behind the end product. Also, provide context for what you're sharing. Write about your art—the what, why, how, when, and where. It helps amateurs get some ideas!

11. Your first artwork won't be a masterpiece. Overnight success is a myth. Consistently putting time and effort into learning and practising what you learn is crucial for anyone to become successful.

12. Don't be afraid of criticism. If criticised negatively, ask, "So what?"

13. Have a repository of ideas to create and build your brand and audience consistently. Also, identify the patterns in your art and revamp them into new pieces.

14. Be a curator before being a creator. You'll find tons of inspiration.

15. Have your own space to share your work. Stick with it. Maintain it and let it change your creative trajectory.

16. Don't feel guilty about enjoying your passions. Celebrate them! Are you getting complaints that you read a lot? Throw the LOTR series at them (it's heavy AF)!

17. Give credit to those who inspire you to create an art piece - be it the person behind the inspiration, a blurb of someone's writing, a conversation, or whatever it may be, give them a shout-out!

18. Hype those humans who inspire you. Be a fan before wanting fans.

19. The most essential thing out of all this is to tell good stories. Because your art won't speak for itself, stories should have an enjoyable, sturdy, and logical structure. It should talk about the past, the present, and the future. Also, modify it according to your audience - be it an 8 or an 80-year-old.

20. Intuition plays a crucial role in creating art; honing that comes through consistent practice and curiosity.

21. Art is a two-way street. Without feedback, it's useless. Every criticism is an opportunity to create new art. So, be open to good feedback, but don't hesitate to shut down trolls. Also, remember, you're your worst critic. Don't let it get you.

22. Never compromise the quality of your audience. It can make or break you. Be choosy, and be classy.

23. Don't be jealous of fellow creators or humans. Celebrate them and their work.

24. Change is vital for creativity. Don't be afraid to take risks. Be ambitious. Be vulnerable.

25. The creative process has an ebb and flow. It's natural and essential. Don't let the ups and downs make you quit your passion. Persevere. Take time outs and rest whenever needed. The world needs your ideas!

That's it, Makkale! Toodles!