Notes on Don’t Call It Art by Austin Kleon

I hesitated to buy this book. I love Steal Like An Artist and Show Your Work. I don’t have Keep Going. I didn’t want a neon pink hardback that doesn’t match the books I have. (I know, I know.)

But there was a copy looking at me in Waterstones. They had already fallen short when I’d gone to look for a Joy Harjo poetry collection (none from this writer) and had no books on bookbinding or zine making. So I bought this instead.

This is a more substantial book than the others I have. It’s a thick volume and has the signature quotes, anecdotes and drawings that I love. It also has plenty of good advice, some simple tips and honestly, it’s a great relaxed, optimistic vibe and that has been seriously lacking over here. I read it one very hot summer afternoon when I was sheltering from the heat and humidity. Now I’m going back to gather some key notes.

Throw out the instructions

Don’t call it art, take the pressure off. Just make stuff. Be punk rock or wabi sabi with deliberate imperfection. You are fine without advice or suggestions. Mess around and have fun.

Don’t take things too seriously

What you make gets better if you’re having fun. It’s all a comedy. Play the fool. Ask a lot of questions - the five whys. Don’t be afraid to do what comes naturally.

Give yourself time, space and materials

Play, unhurried, uninterrupted. Get out of your play deficit. Schedule playtime. The space should be inviting, inspiring and comfortable. Make sure you have all elements available. Have a space where you can make a mess and leave it out for the next day. Give yourself toys to play with.

Permission to be bad!

Do something you shouldn’t. Artists must be allowed to do bad work. Make mischief. Be naughty. Make a pile of imperfect things.

Believe in magic

Use silly rituals to get yourself in and out of creative play. Maybe a costume or prop. Take a message from the universe. Let the ideas in.

Think outside your head

Think with your whole body. Do what gives you goosebumps or makes your spine tingle. Are you hungry, tired or needing the bathroom? Take a walk. Work with your feelings. Make stuff to feel the way you wanted to when you were a kid.

Problems of output are problems of input

No input, no output. Stalling? Read books, watch movies, listen to music, go to a musuem or gallery, travel. Soak up what the world has to offer. Spend more time on input than on output. Know what you like. Online search not feed. Follow the rabbit holes that interest you. Go back to what you loved when you were younger. Copy what you love. Embrace your obsessions and go all in. Go to the library.

Borrow a kid

Loosen your grip and let go of notions of what something should be. Take lessons in looking - wonder + what’s actually interesting. Visit the children’s section. Be a curious elder.

Nothing is wasted

Creativity is the residue of time wasted. Time to do nothing. Boredom is a pitstop, think up your own entertainment. It’s ok to quit.

You don’t need a vision

Put the future behind you where you can’t see it and work with what’s in front of you (the past). Don’t plan a career, make a life.Don’t create a vision that blinds you and makes you inflexible. Get beyond your imagination, venture into unknown territory.

Don’t call it art, just make stuff.