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.

Chelsea Corbett | Makeup Artist

I chose to pursue an artistic career because sitting at a desk was not going to cut it for me. Getting pushed into going to school for a business degree, I saw how young adults were getting persuaded to take on dreams their parents had a created for them. When taking up a non traditional career in the arts helps to express one’s true self. I originally got into makeup because I used powders and brushes to cover the imaginary bruises of bullies to make myself feel pretty. I then wanted others to feel beautiful about themselves, so I decided to take my craft of doing makeup on myself to then doing it for others. Read more>>

Allie Coates | Digital Marketer & Content Creator

I’ve always been naturally drawn to the arts. I grew up heavily involved in musical theatre with childhood hopes of being a performer on Broadway. But I think with anything, your dreams and career aspirations can change with lived experiences. My first real experience with social media and creating content was running Broadway fan pages. I think that initial dream led me to my current skill set and equipped me with a lot of curiosity and focus on the digital realm. Read more>>

Kelly O’Neal | Interior Designer, Artist, & Product Designer for Design Legacy

My upbringing was very rural. Think “Mayberry RFD”. But as a child I was fortunate to have a wide circle of family and friends near and far. My HS graduating class was a whopping 29 souls, and no, not private ed. My mom says that my 4th grade teacher identified my artistic talents and suggested I be enrolled in some sort of art courses as “Art” was those “Palm Turkeys” you see made in grade school art classes, so she enrolled me in a painting group about 20 minutes away once a week. Just me and a handful of old ladies painting still life and sunset masterpieces. Read more>>

Sam Kressner | Screenwriter

Because I can’t not. I wish I had a better answer. Simply put, the desire to pursue an artistic or creative profession is by definition illogical. There’s a a common aphorism thrown around the screenwriting community that purports to be true: there are more professional athletes employed in major sports than there are working screenwriters. Read more>>

Monica Mikai | Author & Illustrator

My imagination has always been my personal space. Daydreaming, even as a child was my way of regaining balance. I remember finding any quiet moment, in my room, in the car, on the bus heading to school, playing outside, that I could fall again into the stories I had created in my mind. Read more>>

Karen Riley | Environmental Art Activist & S.C.R.A.P. Gallery Executive Director

I found that through art, whether it be visual, performative, or writing, I have the ability to to communicate and share ideas and issues that are important. Art also provides opportunities to collaborate with people all over. To me, it is an international language that we can all speak. Read more>>

Mai Witcher | Fashion Stylist & Blogger

I love the freedom of being creative and the ability to express who I am and what I like through art! With having a creative career, I feel there’s so much power in flexibility and artistic careers provide that. Read more>>

Marie & Dawn Cobalt | Owners of FutureView Multimedia

We have always been traditional artists: sketching, drawing, painting, and writing. We studied art theory, design, and photography. Higher education consisted of Art and Film schools and degrees in Art History and English Literature. We took vocations that would expand our creative knowledge and while keeping true to our talents, we built areas of creativity such as film and photo studios. After years in the corporate workforce, we founded FutureView Multimedia LLC. FVM encompasses the disciplines we have grown to love; film/video production, photography, and design with a few more; live feeds, web design/development and social media. Read more>>

Andrew Chavez | Illustrator | Graphic Designer

I come from a long line of creatives and I have always been drawn to creative people or ideas. Honestly, there was never a time when I felt like there could be any other option. When I was a kid, I remember being frustrated over having to do math homework when all I wanted to do was draw in the margins of my school pages! Countless others have felt the same way and I am no exception. Read more>>

Lyss Tan | Artist & Illustrator

Growing up, I always love to read stories and write in my journal. I’m always intrigued by people who can draw too. I started blogging, vlogging, taking pictures and sharing everything. I attended art school and I found my world blossoming. I think pursuing a creative career just happened naturally for me, as I always follow what my heart desires and interests. Read more>>

ShinYeon Moon | Illustrator & Educator

Ever since I could remember I have been holding a pencil or brush in my hand and doodling away alone in a corner somewhere, so this career path felt like it was the most natural thing for me to move towards. There is a tradition in Korea called Doljabi where on your first birthday you select one object from a collection of items that have been laid out before you. That one selected item signifies the baby’s potential future/career path. Read more>>

Sanmi Oguntunde | Actor

I believe art is power. A power that changes people’s minds, perspectives and beliefs on given topics. I felt it was my destiny to become an artist because my dream is to fill the world with laughter. My reason for this is because I believe that laughter is the best medicine. A medicine that cures pain, grief, sorrow, doubt, anxiety, anger and builds confidence. Read more>>

Mikobi N’Dala | Brand Owner & Entrepreneur

I’ve always believed that my life was meant to be unorthodox. I have always known that the chances I will have as a result of my profession will allow me to continuously rethink what it means to positively contribute to society. I’ve always used clothes as a means of communication and self-expression. I developed a profound understanding of how people utilize garments and fashion to express themselves in different ways as I traveled and lived in many countries from DR Congo to my stay in Antwerp, Amsterdam and London. Read more>>