Art Lane: Staying in My Own Lane.
I’ve been drawing since I was seven years old. What started as doodles in the margins of my notebooks slowly became more than a pastime—it became part of who I am. For years, my art lived on paper, in notepads and sketchbooks, and it taught me lessons about creativity, discipline, and, most importantly, staying in my own lane.
Growing up in New York City, the city itself became a silent teacher. Its energy, chaos, and colors seeped into my art. From the graffiti on subway walls to murals in local parks, the city was alive with inspiration. But it wasn’t just the visuals of NYC that shaped me—it was the culture: the beats of hip hop, the rhythm of the streets, and the voices of other artists, writers, and creators. Hip hop became the soundtrack of my sketches, influencing the flow of my letters, the energy of my characters, and the attitude behind every page I filled.
Starting Out: Finding My Lane:
I remember sitting at my desk as a kid, flipping open a notebook, and losing myself in the lines I created. At seven, my sketches were messy, unpredictable, and full of mistakes—but I loved every minute of it. I wanted to draw characters that felt alive, letters that had their own personality, and patterns that reflected how I saw the world around me.
Even then, I noticed something: some days I would spend hours drawing, completely immersed, and other days I wouldn’t touch a pencil at all. I used to compare myself to other artists in my neighborhood, in the city, and even in hip hop magazines—wondering why my sketches didn’t look like theirs. But over time, I realized that other artists are meant to inspire, not intimidate. Their style, skill, or speed doesn’t define my path. What matters is creating from my perspective, in my style, at my pace. Staying in your lane isn’t about ignoring influence—it’s about letting others inspire you without losing yourself in the process.
Learning from NYC Artists:
I’ve always looked up to NYC graffiti writers who turned the city into their canvas. Some of their letters were intricate, some bold, some full of color—but each had a signature, a lane that was completely theirs. Watching them taught me that influence isn’t imitation. I learned from their technique, their rhythm, and their courage to put their mark out into the world—but I never tried to copy them. Instead, I let their work push me to refine my own letters, characters, and style. Hip hop, graffiti, and street culture were guides, but my lane remained mine.
Consistency and Your Own Lane:
Consistency is the backbone of staying in your lane. I started carrying a notebook everywhere, sketching whenever I had a few minutes—ten minutes during lunch, a page before bed, doodles on the bus or in the park. Those small, repeated actions added up.NYC itself became a muse. Watching people in the streets, the angles of the skyline, and the movement of the city all found their way onto my pages. Hip hop rhythms influenced the flow of my sketches, giving my letters a sense of movement, my characters a beat, and my patterns a pulse. But I didn’t try to replicate anyone else’s style. Their work motivated me, but my lane—the one I drew in my notebooks—was my own.
Goals, Growth, and Staying True:
Setting small goals helped me stay focused. Finish a character sketch each day, experiment with shading or patterns, or try a new lettering style inspired by what I saw in the city or heard in hip hop tracks. These goals weren’t about beating anyone else—they were about pushing myself forward. I remember nights when I didn’t feel like drawing at all. I’d put on a classic hip hop record, open my notebook, and just start. Each sketch, no matter how simple, was a reminder that staying in my lane and consistently creating is how you grow—not by comparing yourself to others, but by learning from them while remaining true to your vision.
Embracing the Process:
Consistency also taught me to embrace the process, not just the outcome. Some sketches fail. Some ideas don’t turn out the way I imagined. And that’s okay. Staying in your lane isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and learning through your own lens. Every page in my notebooks reflects my mistakes, experiments, and discoveries—my journey, not anyone else’s. Other artists and the culture of hip hop can teach you techniques or inspire your creativity, but your lane is the one that carries your story forward.
Staying in Your Lane as Identity:
Staying in your lane is about identity. My style, my characters, my patterns—they all speak for me. Over the years, my notebooks have become a signature of my journey, proof that persistence is as important as talent. NYC shaped me, hip hop influenced me, but neither defines me. I define myself by staying true to my ideas, my voice, and my creative path.
Lessons Beyond the Page:
The lessons I’ve learned through my notebooks—and through living in NYC and absorbing hip hop culture—carry into life. Staying in your lane teaches patience, resilience, and self-discipline. It’s the bridge between dreaming and achieving, between wishing for progress and actually making it. Learning to stay in your own lane hasn’t always been easy—but it has shaped me, my art, and my journey. Every line I draw, every page I fill, is a step forward. My notebooks are a map of growth, NYC is the energy that keeps me inspired, and hip hop is the rhythm that drives my creativity. Staying in your lane keeps your art authentic, your growth steady, and your creative voice uniquely yours.
Blog Songs:
Jahiem - Let’s Talk About It
Goapele - If We Knew
Black Girl - 90’s Girl
Mario - Girl In The Picture