Why I Draw

I’ve been told I’m talented more times than I’ve believed it.

When Architecture Had Nowhere to Go

That response sums up how I view my craft. I’ve never truly seen myself as talented, because my harshest critic is always close by, reminding me that I could you could be better and that there are artists who are better. Yet when I reflect on why I started drawing consistently in the first place, it had very little to do with talent or recognition. I began drawing to quiet a noisy mind, to escape thoughts that felt intrusive and heavy, and to find stillness through repetition. This was during a time where my personal and career life were at one of the lowest.

Transition

My love for historic architecture was already deeply rooted. I completed a master’s degree in architecture, specializing in conservation in Edinburgh and I was endlessly fascinated by old buildings with their details, endurance and the stories they carry. But when I moved back home to Toronto from Edinburgh, I struggled to find work that allowed me to express that passion. It felt as though there was no space for what I truly loved. So I turned to the only outlet that was accessible to me pencil and paper.

First drawings from 2019-2020

Unemployment as a Quiet Teacher

Unemployment is often framed as a failure, but for me, it became a period of growth and self-discovery. As I began sharing my drawings online, something unexpected happened. I started to feel empowered, not just as someone with time, but as someone with a voice, perspective, and creative agency beyond technical skills or formal education. Through drawing, my admiration for buildings deepened, especially for the way architecture resonates with people and holds collective memory.

Drawing as Escape

At times, I felt as though I could step into my drawings, be transported to another place entirely. This was especially meaningful during the isolation of COVID. Drawing became my escape from endless job rejections and from a difficult personal transition. It was addictive, but in the healthiest way. Through social media, I formed genuine connections and friendships, receiving encouragement and support I didn’t know I needed. That validation was what kept me going and gave me courage.

Edinburgh, Memory, and Courage

Over time, ad my portfolio evolved, it become something tangible I could show employers and something that shaped how others saw me. For the first time, I felt recognized for something I had built entirely on my own. I felt finally felt pride and a sense of identity. Without the courage to simply pick up a pencil, I don’t know what I would have had to hold onto during that period and if I were to be in the position I am today.

I became so immersed in this alternative reality that it began to feel real—particularly through my drawings of Edinburgh. I sketched places across the city and throughout Scotland, guided by memory and longing. I had carried a deep desire to return for years, and eventually I realized that if my creative mind kept pulling me there, perhaps it was trying to tell me something. Trusting that instinct led me to take the leap and move back. It felt like the right step—not just for my art, but for my growth as a person.

Why I Keep Drawing

This is why I draw, and why I continue to draw—regardless of how big or small the success may be. Drawing has opened doors I never would have reached otherwise. More importantly, it gave me a sense of self, purpose, and direction when I needed it most.

If you’re in a place where your path feels unclear, I’ve learned that creating—without expectation—can quietly show you where you need to go next.

“Sometimes the work we make is already pointing us toward the life we’re meant to live.”