How I Reclaimed My Creativity from Corporate Life to Modern Art Expression

I was not always the artist you see today. For many years I worked a full-time corporate job, surrounded by back-to-back meetings, tight deadlines and conversations that often led nowhere. While the job provided stability and income, it also left me feeling disconnected from something deeper. I had a creative spark inside me, one that kept getting dimmer the longer I stayed on that path.

The Spark That Changed Everything
It all started during an eight-hour work flight. I was physically exhausted and mentally drained. As the plane settled into cruise mode, I reached for my noise cancelling headphones and played Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle. That song became the background to something unexpected.

I opened the Procreate app on my iPad, grabbed my Apple Pencil and started sketching. I had no plan, just instinct. A few loose lines turned into shapes and colours that reflected how I was feeling. That flight became a turning point. I realised that creativity was not something reserved for full-time artists. It was a space I could claim for myself, even in short bursts. From that moment forward, I started making time for art, no matter how small the window. I sketched in hotel rooms, on flights, and during lunch breaks. Each piece gave me more clarity and confidence. I began to understand that art could not only heal me, but also reach others.

The Reality of Corporate Structure
For most of us, a stable job is essential. It provides the foundation to invest in our tools, pay our bills and plan ahead. But that same structure can limit our freedom to explore. After a long day, it is easy to sink into the sofa and let another evening pass in front of a screen. I used to treat my creative practice as an escape. Now I see it as a necessity. I no longer wait for the perfect time or energy level. I show up for my creativity the same way I would for any other commitment. I keep sketching, testing, restarting, even when I am tired or unsure. Failure is part of the process. So are mistakes. I welcome both.

Creating is not about perfection. It is about persistence. Every piece I make brings me closer to something honest and meaningful. Art became my way of making sense of everything I had bottled up during those long corporate days. If you are wondering which of my pieces inspired this blog, you can find it on my page here.