Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Jean-Paul Jones | Filmmaker & Musician

Even in the works of the greatest master, the organic sequence can fail and then a skillful join must be made. – Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky Music and performance have always come naturally to me. It was always there. So as I was organically pursuing music in church, middle school, high school, and then college, it honestly never occurred to me to plan how I would make money using music. I was taught, do what you love and everything else will work out. Let me be clear, Read more>>

Cameron Kostopoulos | Filmmaker & XR Artist

I don’t know if I ever chose to become an artist. I think art found me. I began pursuing it because I couldn’t bring myself to do anything else. Not passionately, at least, not with the same obsession that I pour into my personal work, the same heartache and adrenaline and devastation that a new project brings me. It’s always a struggle, and artists don’t really get paid like they should. Or recognized. I don’t think film festivals like me much. It’s a struggle, and it’ll probably always be a struggle. But I’m okay with that. I don’t think I really have a choice. Read more>>

Ry August | Music Artist/ Singer Songwriter

I would say this career chose me at a very young age. I remember always singing and having melodies in my head as a kid. I started writing short stories at my grandmothers house in Maryland when I was around 6. She would type them up for me and print them out. My parents split when I was 8 and my dad left the home and I started listening to rap a lot. Read more>>

Kofi Gwira | 3D Environment Artist and Aspiring Storyteller

When I was a child, my mom used to leave me in front of the tv when she had errands and other things to do around the house. She used to say that the tv was my babysitter. I’d be glued to my seat watching the Looney Toons, Tom and Jerry, and whatever other cartoons were on. I was entertained by how these characters got into situations that were beyond my imagination. Tell me watching Wile E Cayote running over a cliff but only falling when he realized where he was isn’t entertaining! Read more>>

Margaux Fischer | Portrait and Wedding Photographer

My passion for photography started at twelve years old. My dad let me get a disposable camera at the store and he told me about the rule of thirds and the importance of light in photographs. I walked around a Pennsylvania farm that afternoon snapping photos and couldn’t wait to get the film developed. I was hooked after that and had stacks and stacks of photos, but it wasn’t until my dad passed away in 2012 that the importance of photographs really hit me. When he was gone, I found myself searching through pictures looking for any that would bring me back to memories of his voice, his laugh, the smell of his cigars and aftershave…I was desperate to hold onto all of the memories of him that I was sure would fade with time, but that could live on in photographs of him and bring me back to those moments. Read more>>

G.Stokes | Artist, Producer, & Songwriter

We live in a created reality. Everything we see and do, aside from nature, is the product of another man’s or woman’s thought(s). Knowing that made me realize I, too, have to power to create my own reality. I felt an artistic career path would be the best choice to help me achieve that. At a young age I told myself I’m not going to live my life building someone else’s dream without trying to pursue my own first. When I turn 50 I want to be able look back knowing that all the work I’ve put in paid off or look back without any regrets because I know that I gave it my all. I’m talented enough to achieve great things through music. Read more>>

Ryan Payne | Actor, Dancer, Musician (Artist)

Ever since I was a kid I was into the arts. I’ve always been a very creative person and I noticed whenever I was in careers that weren’t creative it drained my soul. I started to become aware how good it felt when I did things that brought me joy. Making Music, Acting, Dancing and being in creative environments with amazingly talented people is what brought me the most joy. So I chose to do what brings me joy. Read more>>

Vanessa Shive | Visual Development Artist & Illustrator

I grew up in a family of business owners, who always planned for me to step up and take care of the family business. However, it wasn’t something I wanted for myself. My mother wanted to be an archeologist but due to family pressures she wasn’t able to follow that path and always wondered how different her life could have been. Due to that, my parents were always very supportive in regards of me choosing art as a career. I’ve always enjoyed watching films, visiting museums and drawing. So once I found out I could design for a living, it was a no-brainer. My creative career, has been very fulfilling and I’m so excited for what projects I’ll be working on in the future. Read more>>

Xuecheng Xiong | Graphic Designer & Creative director

It’s about passion. When I was a kid, I used to sit in front of the table with pencils and a ruler set, drawing random lines and shapes all day. I naturally have this obsession with creating visual stuff, and it became the most comfortable medium for me to express myself and share my POV on different topics. After I got my Master’s in communications design from Pratt Insitute, I’ve worked for high-profile clients like Yeezy, Fila, Toms, etc. Still, at the same time, I’ve also been helping start-ups and non-profit organizations build their brands because I always wish my work could deliver joy and satisfaction to people and make changes, which keeps pushing me further on this career path. Read more>>

Mike Wright | Independent music producer and guitarist/songwriter for bands The Ironside Collective and Dawn Fades

Since I was an early teen I had a love for listening and playing music. I started a band in high school started touring the country at age 17. My main life goal was to be a professional guitarist and be in a successful band, and I thought it had happened, as I was a full-time touring musician for almost a decade, but things didn’t work out as I had hoped they would. Read more>>

Nile Price | American Film Director

Filmmaking found me. Growing up, I had ambitions to be a lawyer and eventually venture into politics to become the first black President of the United States. Sound familiar? Little did I know there was a gentleman from Chicago with the same idea. However, the strangest thing happened in my senior year of high school. My counselor enrolled me in a photography class to pick up an elective credit necessary for graduating. Seemed like an easy A; you point and shoot. Read more>>

Russell Kawaguchi | Cinematographer & Editor

The idea of being able to create something new with every project was appealing to me. I didn’t want to be checking off the same tasks everyday over and over. I enjoy creating unique projects with other creative people and that collaboration is something I feel like can’t be found in the same way. For some reason I guess I like forcing myself to think in different ways, trying to gain new perspectives and appeal to different audiences with each project. Read more>>

Claudine David | 2D artist & animator

I always felt an art career was possible but I didn’t realize it was possible for me until I reached middle school. As a kid, I felt more joy doodling in a notebook instead of playing with dolls. I felt more compelled to write and draw on paper than play with dolls. I feel like it’s the field that will give me the most joy and self-fulfillment. It wasn’t until later in college that I learned that it wasn’t exactly an easy path. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my career, it’s that if there is something you want to do, you have to work for it. And it’s not going to be easy. There’s always going to be hard work for anything you want to do. So why not go for something you’re passionate about? Read more>>

Paul Richmond | Artist

As early as three years old, all I wanted to do was draw. I’d wake up early, sit at the dining room table, and make hundreds of crayon drawings before my parents woke up. When I got older and became the target of homophobic bullies at school, art became a life-saving tool for expressing emotions that desperately needed an outlet. I knew then that art would always be an important part of my life, and I’ve never imagined doing anything else. Read more>>

Bree Brown | Licensed Esthetician & Cosmetic Scientist

Growing up I had a vivid imagination and a knack for being creative. I was always into the arts, I took acting classes, I was a dancer and I loved writing stories. As I grew older I knew that sitting behind a desk crunching numbers or doing something monotonous wasn’t for me. I needed a career that was ever changing and allowed me to express myself and bring my ideas to the table. Read more>>

Carmela | Singer-Songwriter & Twitch Partner

I’m not happy doing anything else. I’ve tried other avenues but they all ultimately brought me back to the same place—unfulfilled and unhappy. Even with all of the risks, challenges, hurdles, and inconsistencies that come with doing what I do, I wouldn’t trade it for any “stable,” predictable career. I can totally understand why some people would, but I couldn’t find a way to make a 9-5 work for me. And I love how wild my life can be because of my career. Read more>>

Karina | Ethnic Dance Performer, Instructor & Cultural Anthropologist

My siblings and I are fortunate because our mom, even with limited resources and multiple responsibilities, always ensured we had an opportunity to explore our interests. She finished her degree in education when all three of us were in Elementary School, so she was aware of the intellectual, emotional, and social benefits of attending art classes. We were continuously enrolled in dance, music, or acting lessons; sometimes in sports as well. The ones I could never stop attending were the dance classes, especially those that let me learn about new cultures and world views: Polynesian, Middle Eastern & Spanish Dance. Read more>>

Clifton Weaver | DJ & musician

Since I was a toddler, I’ve been in love with music. My parents would often tell me about how I would sing and dance along to the Ohio Players’ “Fire” when I was 2 or 3 years old. In fact, “fire” was one of the first words I spoke and at the age of 3, they bought me a portable record player along with a copy of The Ohio Players’ Greatest Hits LP. From that time, music was my obsession. I took piano and guitar lessons as a kid and started trying to form bands later on in college. Read more>>

Stephanie Bell | Producer & Line Producer

This is such an interesting question, because actually, I feel I had not choice but to pursue an artistic career, otherwise I would have shriveled up inside. I had tried to fit myself into the mold of my family – a professional in a business such as the law or finance – and I was absolutely miserable. I had been acting since I was 9 years old all the way through college, and I had always loved it, but I never even considered that I could pursue it as a career. In our family, you did creative pursuits as a hobby, not as a full-time job. Read more>>

Pia Salvia | Harpist, Singer & Composer

I started music when I was about 7 years old and since then, it was always part of my life, part of myself. There were no musicians in my family, but apparently when I was about 4, I asked my mom to start playing harp. We never knew how and where this idea came from. I am guessing I might have seen a harp in a cartoon on TV or something like that. My mom was raising me and my other 2 siblings alone, so affording a harp and a private harp teacher was not possible at that time. Read more>>

Lydia Dudoit | Tattoo Artist and Maker

Funny thing is, it pretty much fell in my lap! I also think that artists don’t pursue creative work/careers, but more so are driven to them. If that makes sense. When I was offered a tattoo apprenticeship I had to decide between cosmetology school (which I wanted to do since I was 6) and a tattoo apprenticeship. I’m still not sure what made me choose tattooing but I’m so glad I did. Once I got started I knew instantly that was it for me. I’ve done a few other things while tattooing as a way to stay creative; photography, product design, graphic design etc. But tattooing is and has remained number 1! Read more>>

DePaul Vera | Artist | Designer

I felt a powerful connection to art and art history at a very young age. I understood my curiosities and ideas could be explored, executed, and exaggerated best through art. This is how I’ve always known my calling was portraiture. Most of my sketchbooks throughout my life are full of portraits. It was a natural transition of branding myself as such. Read more>>

Alya Kautsaranti | Multidisciplinary Artist

My journey to finding art as a part of my life was quite long and definitely not straightforward. I wish I can say that art has been something I do since I could start walking or something, but my father is an engineer and he hoped for me to become one when I was growing up. And the only artistic influence that I had was from my sister that loved to draw every time she had the chance to. She is 7 years older than me, so our childhood consisted a lot of her making toys for us to play with, and her using me as her little art experiment subject. Read more>>