Since childhood, I’ve had an inseparable bond with Drawing. It was always there, from my early days of scribbling in notebooks to becoming an integral part of who I am today. Growing up, drawing was the best way to channel my imagination. Encouraged by my mother, I embraced art as a means of self-expression. Whether I was sketching caricatures of my teachers or doodling in my notes during school, drawing became my escape, my voice, and my joy.
I pursued my love for drawing by studying Visual Arts, a period of my life If only remember as "my heaven on earth." During this time, my sketchbook became my best friend—constantly by my side, helping me capture everything from quick sketches to detailed drawings. I had endless possibilities at my fingertips.
But like many creative pursuits, life got in the way. As I navigated my career, Ifaced a choice—I could continue drawing for pleasure, or I could pursue a career that required more structured skills. I chose the latter. Slowly, the gap between me and my art grew wider, and it felt like my love for drawing had turned into a long-distance relationship. I rarely connected with it, and drawing was no longer fun.
Over time, I became a Graphic Designer, and later, a Digital Designer working on various projects. Yet something felt incomplete. I missed the organic connection I once had with my sketchbook, where my hand flowed freely, guided by passion rather than deadlines.
But my journey wasn’t over. Even though Ihad drifted away from drawing, inspiration found its way back to me. The works of other artists reignited the spark within, and I began drawing again. Slowly, I found ways to merge mypassion for art with my professional life. At work, I realised that my love for drawing was an integral part ofmy design process and critical thinking. My illustrations began influencinghow I approached design projects, bringing a fresh perspective toproblem-solving.
My daughter is one of the most meaningful catalysts for my renewed connection to drawing. Watching her explore the world through her drawings reminds me of my childhood wonder, and in turn, she inspires me to draw again. Her enthusiasm serves as a gentle nudge, showing me that art isn’t just about perfection but the joy of creation.
More recently, I was introduced to graphical recording at one of the Wednesday morning meetups called 'Think Visual', conducted by Alan Chen and Diana Ayoub from Sh8peshifters. This new art form has been a revelation. Graphical recordingallows me to capture conversations and ideas in real time, translating them into visuals that tell a story. It’s been an exciting new chapter that hashelped me reconnect with drawing meaningfully and dynamically. I’m learning to embrace art again, this time with a more mindful approach—one that blendscreativity with strategy.
In the end, my journey with drawing has been a winding road, full of moments of love and distance, much like arelationship. It wasn’t always a happy marriage, but today, I’m rediscovering my passion in new, unexpected ways.I’ve learned that creativity may ebb and flow, but it always finds its way back if you let it.
To anyone reading this who may have lost touch with their passion—whether it’s art, music, writing, or something else—remember that it’s never too late to rekindle that love. Sometimes, it just takes a little nudge, a bit of inspiration, or the curiosity of a child to remind us of what truly matters.
Happy drawing, everyone—and keep it going!
Pradeep is a senior digital designer based in Sydney. He has a passion for building creative end-to-end digital customer experience design and a keen eye for detail across both digital and print design. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
