Steal Like an Artist

Written by Ananya Panchal. Graphics by Ananya Panchal.

I never thought I was original enough to be an artist.

Ever since I was younger, I have loved to draw, paint and color, but I never had the active, childlike wonder one is expected to have as a kid. I never thought of imaginary stories or worlds, or created my own characters. In fact, I feel that as a younger artist, I had the active impulse to steal: to copy drawings I liked, to replicate stories and songs, alter them slightly and claim them as my own.

So when I got older, imagining my own career as an artist just felt disingenuous, I thought I’d never be able to do it. Since middle school, I’ve always been set on sticking to a more practical, objective field of study. Of course, this changed, but I thought I’d study journalism, art history or media studies, to admire, appreciate and critique art from a distance, but never actually indulge in the uncomfortable but rewarding practice of creating something that is your own.

Good art comes from “stealing” and inspiration, we know this. We’re taught the importance of inspiration in our classes through our process documentation. We read books like Steal Like an Artist in Digicom. And you’re likely to get a “What inspired this?” remark during critiques for everything you make.

So what’s up with the cult of originality? Why did little me only think my art was worthy if it was distinctive?

There is undeniable power in a work of art that is radical and new, especially in the current art economy, which is increasingly dependent on the use of artificial intelligence. Creativity today is all about the original idea and its authenticity.

Paradoxically, I feel like this obsession is taking away from the curiosity associated with understanding and immersing yourself in art: to obsess, to copy, to learn and to eventually evolve and become your own artist.

As Vice President Kamala Harris infamously said not too long ago:
“You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live, and what came before you.”

It’s cringey, but it’s relevant. Just like you, your art did not just fall out of a coconut tree, it exists in a multiverse of creativity. It is influenced by, and actively influencing, everything around it.

Once produced, it lives, breathes its own air, like a baby. Much like a newborn, it is given life and meaning through both biological and environmental factors.

Biology: You, the parent, the creator, gave it its features, from the many features you inherited before.
Environment: The people who view, interact and engage with it give it meaning beyond your wildest imagination.

It then exists in a long lineage of creativity.

From thievery to originality, this is the transformation most creatives undergo. I no longer actively look to be inspired. But my stolen goods have served me well. They lie buried in my mind and inform everything I do.

Let yourself steal and trust your creativity, it is the only way to make art.