Why I love 'Show Your Work!' by 'Austin Kleon'

Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deep down, I knew all this stuff already but it's such a refreshing boost to hear it from someone else.

You should read this book wherever you are on your creative journey; starting out or already a professional in your field.

I enjoyed the writing style, there were a lot of inspiring quotes and a good reading list at the end to keep you going.

I used to film the setups of festivals. I'd try to capture all the creativity and skill that was pooled together to make a wonderful, enjoyable experience for so many people. I used to do it just because I really enjoyed it. It's all I would talk about. I'd carry my camera with me everywhere. Being so deeply 'into' something took me far. I got so many offers and it really started to build into something. Unfortunately, I had to give it up because I lived in Cornwall and couldn't drive. I ran out of annual leave at my 40+ hour a week waitressing job and was left just having to make ends meet.

Anyway, my point is: People really value an artist who does something because they love it, not because they're trying to get somewhere.

This book describes my experience and reminds me that it's possible to get there again. It reminds me to forget about why I'm doing something and just to enjoy doing it. Finally, it reminds me of the importance of being nice and inviting artists into my life.

Thanks for that Austin! I'm gonna go carry on with my learning and my making :D I've already started to document my journey at http://www.mediumcat.com

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