Growing up, I always believed that making a living as a creative meant you had to be an “artsy” person—someone who went to art school, had amazing talent, and created deep, meaningful work.
This belief was reinforced by society, especially in the 90s, when we were told that being an artist meant living a poor, unsuccessful life. Only a few exceptionally talented individuals could make it as artists, and for the rest, it was a risky career choice. I often questioned if I was “arty” enough to have a creative career, and my answer was usually no.
But where did this thought come from? In this blog post I’ll be sharing my story of diving into my past and discovering my place in the creative community!
The Aha Moment: Discovering the Commercial Artist
After listening to Julia Broughton on the Women in Business podcast by Erin Buck I started thinking more about my warped thoughts on being a creative.
Julia mentioned that she discovered she was a commercial artist, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. I finally felt seen, heard, and validated—like, wow, the art I make actually has a place in the world, and I am creative enough to have a successful career.
But to really understand why this was such a lightbulb moment for me, we need to look back at where the “not good enough” thought started.
The 90s Mindset: Struggling to Fit In
If you're a 90s kid like me, this will probably hit home. Growing up, I was told by everyone—parents, school, society—that the only way to have a creative career was to become an artist, like a painter, illustrator, or sculptor.
The picture they painted was that if you weren’t incredibly good at creating thought-provoking, meaningful art, you’d end up as a poor, struggling artist who never sold anything. Basically, making money as an artist seemed impossible.
On top of that, the only way to study for a creative career was through Art school. Art school was super intimidating. It felt like only the best of the best would be accepted; you had to create a portfolio of stunning pieces and then defend in an interview. As an unconfident introvert at 17, this was my worst nightmare—I was already telling myself "no" before I even tried.
Choosing the "Safe" Path
With this image of what an artist is ingrained in me, it’s no wonder I thought I wasn’t good enough to have a successful creative career. I loved art and was drawing from the moment I could hold a pencil, but I never saw myself as the tortured artist with a vivid imagination who poured all their feelings into their art.
I loved making art that was more straightforward and easy to understand. If I wanted to draw a tree, I drew a tree that looked like a tree—no hidden meanings, no deep philosophical ideas. So, I never believed my art was “good enough” to make it as an artist.
Thinking art school was the only way to have a creative career, I took the “safe” route instead. I was good at science, which seemed like a secure path—or at least that’s what I was told. But is there really such a thing as a safe and secure path that leads to your best life? That’s a whole other blog post, but it’s worth thinking about.
So, I decided to study to become an architectural technician, which kept me in a creative field but with more job security (until the 2007 economic crisis—so much for my safe path!). My job was logical, technical, and full of puzzle-solving, which fit my personality perfectly. But I always missed that creative spark.
The Realisation: The Value of new Commercial Arts
Later, I studied interior design, only to find that it focused on creating interesting, thought-provoking spaces that weren’t always practical. The course emphasised designing commercial spaces with a thought-provoking twist, but when I entered the job market, 90% of the roles were about matching paint colours, wallpaper, and fabrics to what the public liked or what was trendy—not exactly what I’d studied for.
Once again, I felt like I didn’t belong. I realised that what I’d spent three years learning wasn’t what most people needed; they needed functional, realistic designs, not abstract, thought-provoking ones. They needed commercial art!
It wasn’t until I learned about commercial art that everything clicked.
Commercial art is all about creating visual art for commercial purposes—like advertising, branding, and marketing. Unlike fine art, which is often about personal expression or aesthetics, commercial art is designed to send a message, promote something, or connect with a wider audience. It’s a blend of creativity and practicality, where the goal is to meet business needs or boost a brand’s identity.
I realised there are so many creative jobs out there that would have been perfect for me. Commercial art is about making art that communicates and resonates with a broad audience, which often means skipping the deep, thought-provoking stuff that not everyone “gets.”
This revelation made me realise that I don’t have to create super deep, meaningful art to be successful. There’s value in making art that’s straightforward, easy to understand, and practical. And, more importantly, there’s definitely a place for this kind of art in the world!
Encouraging the Next Generation of Creatives
This realisation has inspired me to share this message with others. I want to tell fellow creatives who never felt like they fit into the “art world” that they do belong. You’re amazing, creative, and there are people out there who need your talent. Keep doing what you do—you’re incredible!
And to the young artists who feel like they’re not good enough, who don’t see themselves as “artsy” but love to create, I want to say this: There is absolutely a place for you in the creative world. Everything you see around you is designed—some in a more “artsy” way than others, but there’s definitely a creative job out there that’s perfect for you.
Conclusion: Redefining What It Means to Be an Artist
Being a commercial artist doesn’t make you any less creative or talented.
It just means your art serves a different purpose. It’s time to broaden our ideas of what it means to be an artist and recognize that there are endless possibilities for creative careers. There’s room for all of us in the creative world.
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