Producing a “product” is often the sole focus of most artists, but Austin Kleon presents a better way: give more room to the process and make it part of your product. Of course, such a move risks giving away “trade secrets” and increases vulnerability. What many people don’t realize is that giving away “trade secrets” forces you to dig deeper, discover new secrets, and master new skills Furthermore, vulnerability brings you closer to your audience, which will ultimately increase your influence.
Now, that last sentence sounds manipulative, but let’s be honest: we create art to say something, to influence thoughts, opinions, even actions. If we truly believe that we have something to say of value, let’s take the steps we need to bring our truest selves to our audience.
The Good
Austin writes with honesty, clarity, and humor. He has no problem including quotes to support or expand his ideas, which I find refreshing. It’s nice to see an intellectual thread running through the decades on particular issues. Each chapter is comprised of about a handful of sections that flow together and are united by the chapter’s overall theme. These sections are tightly written, which makes the easy to digest.
The Bad
The only issue I had with the book—and I want to emphasize how much I enjoyed and learned from it—is that it’s brevity leaves a lot of counterpoints without being fully explored. Now, this isn’t a book written to argue or prove a point of view, but it does present a new approach to creativity. To that end, I’d like to have seen a bit more written to defuse fears and arguments against Kleon’s point of view.
Wrapping Up
I read Kleon’s previous book Steal Like an Artist, and I found it very helpful. The same goes for Show Your Work. In fact, some of the ideas presented in this book have prompted me to plan a few new endeavors that might be fairly radical and outside of my comfort zone.
And that’s exactly the kind of thought-provoking action we can achieve with a bit of process-transparency and vulnerability.
– Readability (5.0)
– Breadth/Depth of Content (4.0)
– Helpfulness (5.0)
Recommended? – If you want to improve your creative output and develop your process, definitely.
Show Your Work! is by Austin Kleon
You can buy it wherever square-shaped books are sold and at Amazon.
A copy of this book was provided for review purposes by my local library.
Chris Wilson says
I read this last year (and steal like an artist) and I thought it was an interesting and different take on a book. Deliberately short and brief perhaps to encourage further action? I can see why that is it’s biggest weakness but I also think it is the biggest strength of the book. I guess a deeper ebook or something to compliment might be really great.
Phil Schneider says
You’re right, Chris. He was probably trying to leave room for action to take place. Great point.
Mike Hamilton says
Great post Phil! I read this book a few months ago under the recommendation of a friend, I wouldn’t quit call it a “game changer” as he so emphatically put it, but I will say it was a good, quick read. I haven’t read “Steal Like and Artist” yet but I’m sure that I’ll get around to it sometime soon.
I agree with Chris that an ebook that dives a little deeper into the subject matter(s) would be extremely helpful!
Phil Schneider says
Thanks, Mike! We definitely need something to drive the conversation deeper, as well as forward.