Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Summary & Key Insights

When I tell you to steal like an artist, what I mean is this: take from the world as an artist does — with discernment, respect, and transformation. Every great creator has borrowed ideas. Picasso said good artists copy and great artists steal, and he meant that great artists absorb influence so completely that the result becomes entirely theirs.

The creative lineage is full of influences cross-pollinating across generations: The Beatles drew from Chuck Berry; Steve Jobs borrowed from calligraphy and design; writers echo other writers in their rhythm and imagery. The trick isn’t to copy your favorite creators line for line — it’s to study them deeply, understand what makes their work resonate, and then build upon that in your own voice.

When I started making blackout poetry — erasing parts of newspaper articles to reveal hidden verses — I wasn’t inventing something brand new. I was participating in a tradition that goes back to Dada art and found poetry. But in bringing that practice into a modern form, and letting my own sensibilities guide it, the work became distinctive.

To steal well, keep a swipe file — a personal notebook or folder where you save snippets, visuals, lines, and ideas that spark your imagination. Let it be your treasure chest. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns, recurring themes, and connections between things you love. Those intersections will become the seedbed of your originality. You’ll learn that creativity thrives not by avoiding influence but by embracing it intelligently.

We’re often told to find ourselves before we create. I think that’s backward. You find yourself by creating. Waiting for identity to appear is like waiting for perfect weather before you go outside — you’ll never move.

When I began making art, I didn’t know where I fit in. I just kept making what interested me, imitating people I admired, and learning from the process. Over time, that habit of imitation turned into innovation. The act of making teaches you what matters to you. Every sketch, every sentence, every experiment refines your taste and reveals something about your voice.

Creativity is self-discovery through action. You don’t unlock who you are by sitting still; you unlock it by trying things, failing, and adjusting your compass along the way. So don’t worry about defining yourself too early. Be a sponge, a beginner, and a joyful thief. Act first. Define later.