How did you choose a creative path?

Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Fernando Mercado | 3D Artist & Fabricator

The decision to pursue an artistic career is really a double-edged sword for me at this point. I’m scared of failure and not being able to support myself as an artist, which I believe feeds into my drive to perfect my craft in whatever I find interesting at the moment. But as anxious as I may be about trying to accrue capital, I know that I can’t work for a boss for the rest of my life. There are things to be learned from people with wisdom and experience that can give you a head start in pursuing your goals, but at the end of the day, I need to be able to make my own decisions. I want to make shit that I care about. Read more>>

Lexi Beal | Embodied Spirituality + Rewilding Teacher

I’m of the belief that my Soul chose my life path and work long before I ever came to this world. That feels necessary to share because I wouldn’t say that “pursuing” an artistic/ creative career was something I consciously knew I was going to do. It wasn’t something I put a lot of thought into or prepared for… It was just what I HAD TO do. Read more>>

Modak Ks | Cinematographer

I decided to pursue cinematography towards the end of my undergraduate course. I was an economics major, and I was apprehensive about the decision throughout my time at college because I liked economics very much. But I decided after I handed in my most significant, most extensive economic paper. I realised then that I couldn’t picture myself working on projects like that every day for the rest of my life. More importantly, I realised that I didn’t enjoy the disconnect and abstraction of the economic world from our immediate societal reality. Read more>>

Peter Mendoza | Actor

Acting is the scariest thing I can do. In my life I was always afraid, afraid of failure, of loneliness, of not meeting my loved ones expectations or what I owed society. But acting became my superpower. It embraced me, enlightened, and empowered me. That I didn’t need to feel Ashamed of who I was or where I came from. It first came to me in middle school when I was in sixth grade, a drama class had just been added but I was already enrolled in an art class to learn how to draw because I liked comic books even though I never read them. So I had a choice and though I was determined to get better at drawing, acting always felt like a secret wish. Read more>>

Mindy Kober | Artist & Set Dresser

I have been drawing and painting since childhood. My first exposure to being around art and an artist’s studio was visiting my aunt’s painting studio when I was young. I distinctly remember the smell of the oil paints and linseed oil in her studio when I was allowed to go in, and saw the jars of paint brushes, tubes of paint, and different types of drawing utensils with awe of the creative space she made. When I was a teenager she would invite me to her art exhibitions in the Houston area, where I grew up.  Read more>>

Scott Seagren | Screenwriter/Jack of all Trades Filmmaker

I have pursued an artistic/creative career because its the one way I know I can express myself and my creative endeavors/intentions the clearest. I also do believe as cliche as it sounds that art has the ability to influence and change the world for the better, For me creativity is the essence of life and living without it feels hollow and disingenuous to the beauty available to us when we really pay attention. I am never more alive than when I’m working at creating something in one creative fashion or another and this career path, while not always easy, is the only one that makes sense. Read more>>

Nathan Schiltz | Hopeful Feature Film Writer & Director

Because I love it. I love making movies. The happiest I’ve ever been in my life has been being on set directing, so I designed my life around chasing that dragon. Read more>>

Dean Alexandrou | Film Maker, Actor & Writer

For as far back as I can remember, I have been inspired by creating something artistic or looking at the art of others. There is something appealing about embarking on a journey of exploration done purely to see where it will lead—which, essentially, is what most artistic endeavors boil down to. Read more>>

Soo Choi | Violinist, Composer, Improviser, Educator

One of the things my parents say is, ” you don’t have to do it if that makes you not happy. Do what you want.

I have a questions to the readers,

‘When do you feel happiness? When you have a bite of a perfect sandwich with a good taste of coffee? Watching the sunset with the person who you love? When you open a beer after a shower? Read more>>

Ivan Iusco | Film Music Composer

In the beginning, it was probably a mix of instinct, pure attraction, and my unalignment with reality. A life without art is unimaginable to me. I began painting and playing the piano when I was seven years old, and a few years later, I bought my first synthesizer. Music rapidly became a pivotal tool for exploration and for embodying deep connections with both internal and external emotions. Even after decades, I feel a thrill every time I sit in front of a blank sheet of music with a new idea to develop. It is my authentic means of connecting with others and losing myself in the hidden recesses of the universe. Read more>>

Roselyn Martinez | Actor

I never imagined I would become an actor because I’m actually pretty shy in front of the camera. My previous career and educational background is in counseling, I have my Master’s Degree in Psychology. And so I kind of stumbled into my acting career. later in life. At the end of 2019 when an actor friend suggested I submit for a pharma commercial audition I remember walking into Dan Bell Casting for my first audition not knowing what I was doing but yet enjoying the experience. Read more>>

Rhea Damani | Producer, Director & Cinematographer

Growing up, the idea that anyone could easily choose to pursue a career in the arts, especially in India, was rare. I never truly entertained the thought until I started applying to colleges. I knew I wasn’t destined for a path in business or science—despite a mild interest in those fields, I didn’t excel academically in them. It was also around this time that I started taking photography and editing seriously. It was something that had started as a hobby when I was in my early teens, but by the age of 17, I was captivated by experimenting with new frames and compositions, exploring lighting techniques, and unleashing my imagination through editing software. Read more>>

Naeemah Maddox | Composer /Singer Songwriter/Teaching Artist

Honestly, it feels like it was inevitable, given my upbringing. I grew up in a very creative household—my father was a musician, and my mother, a master tailor and jewelry maker, was also incredibly resourceful and artistic in her own right. From a young age, I was surrounded by music and creativity, and it naturally became a part of who I am. Read more>>

Peace Park | Brand Motion Designer & Instructor

Growing up, I was very interested in my appearance and had a deep love for fashion. My journey into martial arts began with Taekwondo, inspired by the stylish black belt and uniform. As a Taekwondo instructor, I frequently saw the dynamic performances and visually striking stages at Taekwondo competitions, which ignited my passion for motion graphics, where I saw the potential to merge visuals and performance in a captivating way. Read more>>

Jasmin Martinez | Owner and Founder

The interesting thing about me pursuing a creative career is that this was never apart of the plan. Prior to the conception of what is now Local Gem Collective, my life was all figured out. I spent 15 years in big box retail, that was always the plan… moving up and securing a position where a six-figure income was guaranteed, a routine was created for me, my job at that time dictated my life. My quote-on-quote hobby turned career started with me opening an Etsy Shop when I was in High School- as I got older, and time passed so did my passions. I went from bedazzling things like phone cases to becoming more interested in an intentional healing business. Read more>>

Hayley Garcia | “Director & Cinematographer” or “Filmmaker”

I pursued a creative career because I honestly could not set my mind to do anything else. I knew I had to do something creative, but I couldn’t really draw, sing, or act so using a camera was the best option. I had to most creative control with a camera and started making stop motion videos with legos, then youtube vlogs, then technical theatre and finally pursuing filmmaking. I knew I had a skill for marketing and management and could excel there if I went that route, but there was something so romantic and calling about pursuing filmmaking I just had to. Read more>>

Mijin Kwon | Artist

I believe everyone is born with a natural artistic sense. Art has always been a natural part of my life. As a child, I loved to doodle and sketch, and gradually it grew into a curiosity about how to draw things with the right shapes based on what I saw. Later, I also became interested in expressing things that are not always visible but still feel important. Art has become a way for me to explore ideas. Read more>>

Jcrux Tilson | Artist

I pursued an artistic career because, growing up in foster care, I often felt a sense of displacement and uncertainty. Art became my refuge—a way to express feelings that were sometimes too overwhelming to put into words. It allowed me to communicate my experiences, my struggles, and my hopes in a way that felt safe and authentic. Read more>>

Priscila Lima | Mixed Media Artist

I pursued a creative career because it was something I’ve always felt passionate about. Growing up all my mind ever did was wander off to what I wanted to design next. Whether it be a sketch or a sculpture, I knew it was one of the only things I wanted to do in this lifetime. Even when I’d try to switch my focus to other professions, I just always naturally gravitated towards the notion of creating. Read more>>

Manuela Oliveira | Choreographer & Artist/Movement Coach

Growing up in a Portuguese Family I’ve always been a mover and Groover and growing up Watching Breakin the movie and MTV I began to become inspired and by artist such as Janet Jackson, JLo, Chris Brown and Usher I wanted to be around it and dance for A-list artists, that inspired me to want to pursue a career in the dance industry and move to the US. So I decided to come to the US get trained by the best and surround in it! I’ve not looked back since. Read more>>

Ken Jacobsen | Composer, Producer and Guitarist

I’m not sure I picked it to this day. It might have picked me. I was always a creative spirit. As a kid, they used to call me an original. Even though they tried to make it derogatory, I always took it as a positive.
I grew up in a creative family. My father was a educated sculptor, painter and a pretty good pianist. My mother won a state singing competition as a teenager and always had music around her, she was also a good painter as well. So I got involved with music early on with lessons and so forth. But the rock/metal bug hit me as a teenager and that was it.  Read more>>

Rebekah Laur’en | Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Composer

I chose a creative career because it allows me to forge a path that is uniquely my own, and I hope to inspire others to embrace their own authenticity as well. During a period when I stopped creating, I felt like a mere shadow of myself. My art is deeply rooted in the idea of sharing; I believe that gifts are meant to be given, not kept. By sharing my work, I aim to contribute positively to my community and society, hoping to spark a shift toward something better. Read more>>

Nikolina Petolas | Digital / traditional artist / oil painter

I believe that, in some ways, this career chose me. The path of an artist certainly isn’t the most reliable or the easiest, but there was always a strong, almost irresistible pull towards it. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating my own stories and expressing myself through art. It’s a unique way of communicating with the world. Read more>>

Michelle West | Balancing the Magic and the Mundane of Filmmaking

Art is how I feel most understood in the world. To create something from nothing that allows my unique perspective to be expressed is very liberating. I remember as a kid always having my nose buried in a book, making up dances, recording myself singing on a cassette tape, or drawing. In college I majored in marketing, which definitely has an artistic component to it, though what I really studied was art history and English. Once I discovered filmmaking, it was like a fusion of all the art I loved combined and it felt incredibly special. Read more>>

Alla Karasik | Artist, Designer, Creative

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, and my love for creativity led me to a career in fashion design. I’ve always been passionate about fashion, and I wanted to infuse my creativity into that world. Working in CAD became a big part of my career, and as my life and work evolved, drawing took a bit of a backseat. Read more>>

Gregory Kopp | Gregory Kopp is a 5-Star reviewed Author, Graduate of Northwestern University and a Principal Consultant for Kopp Company

My management consulting company sprang from the personal computer and dot.com revolutions which transformed our lives and the way business was conducted. Success in this part of my life allowed my artistic and creative aspects to blossom resulting in my writing and publication of the exciting “Kopp Chronicles” series of historical fiction novels. This sweeping saga is based on my own immigrant American family’s life experiences along with historical royalty and political figures spanning multiple continents, revolutionary upheavals, tragedy, and ultimate triumph! Read more>>

Kenny Ravage Enriquez | Drummer/Songwriter

Artists have a unique gift to bring beauty, emotions, and messages to life through their work. The power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and evoke emotions is truly remarkable. Whether it’s through painting, music, writing, or any other form of artistic expression, creatives have the ability to leave a lasting impact on the world around them and is one of the main reasons why I decided to pursue an artistic/creative career. Read more>>

Natasha (preferred Name Courage) Bacchus | Actress and art accessibility consultan

“I began my track career at the age of 15, where I gained self-esteem and overcame barriers related to ableism and audism as a Deaf individual. In 2019, a longtime friend encouraged me to explore theatre, leading me to immerse myself in the world of theatre, mixed media, and body movement. Transitioning from being a Deaflympic sprinter, I found that both fitness and art have become my most effective forms of therapy.” Read more>>

Manuel Sanchez | Audio engineer & music producer

I pursued an artistic and creative career because music has always been more than just a passion for me; it’s been a profound calling that has shaped my identity and purpose. From a young age in Colombia, I felt a deep connection to sound and the way it could convey emotions and tell stories. Music offered me a unique language through which I could express myself, and I knew early on that this was the path I was meant to follow. Read more>>

The Rat Utopia Experiment | Alt Rock Band

The ability to create brings us fulfillment and we hope it will bring the same fulfillment to others, through our shows and recordings. Music is an outlet for our ideas. When we get on stage, we feel more like ourselves. We all agree that we use it as an escape from our daily lives. Read more>>

Jessie Booth | Actor & Director

I am a descendant of the notorious Booth theatrical family. Generations later, my family is still in the theatre. My father is a director, producer, and actor and my mother is a film/tv, stage, and voice over actress. When I was growing up, my family ran the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in Florida. When I was 8 years old, my dad needed a Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carole”. So he had me chop off my hair and I was put onstage and decades later I’m still performing. I fell in love with the art form and telling stories, whether it be in theatre or on film. This industry feels like a big adventure and I feel so lucky to be on this adventure with the support of my family. Read more>>

Juliet Daniel | Music Artist

Writing songs and making music is my true passion — I would do it even if no one else were listening. Besides that, I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, dreaming of starting my own business one day even before I had an idea compelling enough to give my all. While working in the tech industry, I realized that every path is challenging in its own way and that nothing beats internal inspiration. Read more>>