4 stars
short review for busy readers:
A wonderfully inspiring little artsy book with ideas and (doable!) low-budget tips about how to keep creative without allowing doubts or money/time worries to creep in.
in detail:
The chapters are taken from Kleon's own diaries, so they are disjointed and sometimes a little contradictory. And they aren't groundbreakingly new. Doesn't matter. Sometimes, you can hear a tip, but it's not phrased in the right way for you, so it doesn't stick. You need it in 'your language'.
For me, the first idea was deffo in my language: Everyday is "Groundhog Day".
That is, just like the movie of that title, you have to get okay with the idea that being artistically/creatively abundant means every single last day of your life is going to be a repeat of every other. Every. Day. The same as yesterday, the same as tomorrow. Forget excitement. Forget all the happy-slappy, yay rah rah words from the greats in your art. It's ground hogs all the way, baby.
This reminds me of the Zen Buddhist saying: "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water."
Also rather wise is the tip that if you get stuck, make a gift for someone. It also helps to turn your art into gifts for specific people.
I am reminded of what author John Updike said once: that he wasn't writing for the world. He was writing for one specific kid somewhere in the American Midwest who stumbled onto his novels in the local library. Updike's novels were gifts to his chosen audience of one.
As helpful and reassuring as it is for being creative, "Keep Going" is a book to find in an LFL, get from a library or come wrapped as a birthday present. I don't think it's exactly one to spend money on, as it's mostly an illustrated blog in book format. Sorry, Austin!
Contents:
1. Everyday Is Groundhog Day
2. Build a Bliss Station
3. Forget the Noun, Do the Verb
4. Make Gifts
5. The Ordinary + Attention = The Extraordinary
6. Slay the Art Monsters
7. You Are Allowed to Change Your Mind
8. When In Doubt, Tidy Up
9. Demons Hate Fresh Air
10. Plant Your Garden