When Doodles Become Purpose
- JP de la Rama
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Dealing with Unpredictability Through Creativity and Courage
"Sometimes, the smallest doodles from tiny hands remind us why we chose this path in the first place—not for fame or fortune, but for the joy of creating and the courage to keep going when the world says stop."
Setting the Stage
Let’s face it—2025 hasn’t exactly been kind to creatives. Between economic instability, skyrocketing living costs, and an industry being bulldozed by AI, it’s enough to make any artist question why they keep going.
I did.
I was working on a commission one afternoon—juggling deadlines and that familiar financial anxiety in the back of my head—when my daughter came up beside me. She grabbed the iPad and started doodling her little stick figures, laughing as she figured out the pen pressure settings. Then, mid-giggle, she looked at me and said:
“I wanna work like Daddy!”
I froze. That single sentence stopped me in my tracks.
THE DEEP DIVE – The Problem
Her innocent words reminded me why I started this journey. Not for money. Not for recognition. But because it was fun. It was creative. It was freedom.
But here’s the kicker: passion alone doesn’t pay the bills.
The creative industry—especially now—is brutal. Clients demand more for less. AI-generated assets flood timelines. And you start wondering if your years of experience and soul-driven storytelling can even survive in this mess.
There were months when I stretched coins just to make mortgage. Nights where I stared at my ceiling, wondering, “Is this sustainable?” And the hardest part? Feeling like quitting would mean giving up a part of who I am.
Turning the Ship Around
That moment with my daughter didn’t magically fix everything—but it shifted something.
I realized I couldn’t rely on just being an artist anymore. I needed to evolve.
So I started a plan:
Sell non-essential assets — clearing space and gathering capital.
Start a second venture — something sustainable, and complementary to my art.
Diversify income — prints, digital downloads, teaching, even real estate.
This isn’t selling out. This is strategic survival. If anything, it gives me more freedom to keep creating without the constant pressure of “Will this piece feed my family?”
And through all this, my daughter still draws. Still watches me work. Still believes that being an artist is the coolest job in the world. And that…
That’s worth fighting for.
TIP FOR ARTISTS IN THIS ERA:
If you want to keep your creative soul alive in this unstable world, don’t be afraid to pivot. Diversify your income.
Treat your art as both passion and business. Build a buffer so you can breathe—and keep doing what you love.
Because when everything feels uncertain, the one thing you can control… is your next step.
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