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.

Yuwei Rita Li | Concept Artist

Drawing and creating fantastical worlds has always been a passion of mine. Since childhood, I have been captivated by the immersive worlds depicted in manga, anime, and video games. Despite lacking formal art training, the sheer joy of sharing my creations has always motivated me. Read more>>

Johnse Allende Jr. | Actor

Ever since I was a little kid, like the age of 5…. I always had an image in my head that I was a superstar. I’ve wanted to be famous at all cost. I didn’t understand that this was something that I have manifested ever since I was young and I’m slowly living the dream. But it’s not easy lol. Read more>>

Fatell | Recording Artist

I couldn’t imagine not being be able to express myself through art and not be utilizing my voice to be able to uplift others in a positive way through my music. Read more>>

Tomide Bamigboye | Writer/Director

I am an avid daydreamer. I am unsure if that is a good trait, but oh well. I always make up scenarios in my head, I come up with all these ideas and feel obligated to bring them to life. I have also been obsessed with watching films and fascinated by how they are made. Growing up, my favourite subject was literature and I always dreamt of turning the stories I read into films while still developing my original film ideas. Read more>>

Erik Bersamina | aka Kolour Kode – Record Producer & DJ

Well, music has always been a huge part of my life. I have my grandpa to thank for that, who has played in many bands his entire life and still to this day. From getting my first drum kit at 2 years old and playing school drums/percussion from elementary through college, to teaching myself music production — I knew that if I didn’t pursue my dreams of music in one form or another, I would 100% regret it down the line…and who wants to live & die with regret? Read more>>

Hyunse Kim | Fashion Designer

Art and creativity are deeply ingrained in my passion for fashion. I firmly believe that designing and crafting garments is a transformative process that empowers individuals to shape their own distinct style and establish their identity. Through this expressive journey, one can delve into their inner uniqueness and present themselves to the world through their fashion choices. This ability to influence and leave a lasting impression instills a sense of pride and accomplishment when bringing fashion to life with one’s own hands. Read more>>

Courtlyn Jones | Founder & CEO of The Design Database | Podcast Host & Creator of Fearless Narratives””

I love this question! I like to think that art has been a part of me since birth. I remember every day on my walks to school with my mom and sister how I always needed to look at EVERYTHING around me for as long as I could. I had to read every single sign and remember the colours on it, the shape, and the way the letters were written. I did this with cars, people, trees, flowers, you name it. I was obsessive because I knew I needed to draw it as soon as I could. Read more>>

Sindy Lopez | Cookie artist & Dental Assistant

As a little girl I used to love to color , I would sit for hours and work on my coloring books , so now as a adult I combined baking which I always enjoy as well I noticed in 2020 when we where all locked in , baking and decorating sugar cookies came easy to me . Read more>>

Bec Morris | Choreographer/Creative Director

I pursue my creative career to inspire others in the most supportive, positive and committed way. Visual artistry like dance and overall creative direction, allows the artist/brand to come alive in front of your eyes. The visual aspect of energy is what the audience is drawn to – high energy, stylization within the body, embellishing emotions… and just great entertainment. I make people smile, laugh and cheer and hopefully inspire others to work hard to achieve their own dreams. Read more>>

Mariana Corella | Director of Product Design at Hype and Vice

I pursued an artistic and creative career because of my passion for fashion and clothing. Ever since I was young, I found myself immersed in the world of fabrics, catalogs, and designs, which always fueled my fascination for the industry. Although I made the practical decision to study Business in college, to equip myself with tools and knowledge for future entrepreneurship, I always knew I wanted to pursue an artistic venture. Read more>>

Chelsea Patricia Ramirez | Actress, Director, Producer, Entrepreneur

Corny as it sounds, I was always ‘creative’ (and ‘extra’, might I add); my beautiful parents were always very supportive of my wild little artistic endeavors (painting, writing, performing, comedic sass) but it never occurred to me that those activities would lay the groundwork of becoming an actress/filmmaker. All of my creative and performing experience bubbled up and it became more noticeable in college. Read more>>

Lesly Raw | Musician

I have always loved music, but the universe in which I lived did not give children the possibility of dreaming… I grew up in a home. I was born from a totally ignorant father separated from my mother since I was 4 years old and from a mother from whom I have been separated since the age of 10 I made myself alone … I did lots of different jobs to win my life I was seasonal and at 29 I had a serious car accident plus many sentimental failures I decided to take my life in hand and realize my dream and live for me and I started music. Read more>>

Samuel C. Spitale | writer

Creative expression and storytelling have always been a huge part of my life. Even as a kid, I gravitated toward the arts, be it drawing, writing, film, or getting lost in a good book. After graduating college with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in mass communication, I began my professional career working for Lucasfilm Ltd. Read more>>

James Combs | Songwriter, Producer, Singer, Guitarist, Music Licensor, Music Supervisor

I have always been mesmerized by the power of music and felt a strong urge to be close to it and make it myself. As a kid, I would hang out in my older sisters’ groovy bedroom in the basement of our house in West Lafayette, IN, and just listen to every record they had – a lot of which were 60s records – the Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash, etc. I would go over to the laundromat near our house, which had a jukebox, and just pump dimes into it until I ran out of them so I could listen to the songs. Read more>>

Thomas Hardcastle | Fine Artist & Hairdresser

I had a very scholastically guided education almost devoid of art . The expense of art school coupled with being independent at 18 led me to beauty college .I excelled in the art of hairdressing where today I have owned and operated my own salon in downtown Ojai Ca. for twenty years . I have also simultaneously been a constant part of Ojai’s art scene for even longer both organizing and exhibiting in Ojai. I had decided that the prescription for happiness is individual and I gave myself permission to pursue what i would enjoy doing all day to finance my artistic ambitions at night. The pursuit continues …. Read more>>

Shae Smolik | Actress and Country Music Singer

As a young child I have always been an extrovert and believed that life was my personal stage! My mother has told me that I never knew a stranger even as a baby and when she took me to the grocery store it took her much longer than when she didn’t because I would talk to every person I saw in the aisles while riding in the shopping cart. I believe that extrovert mentality really led me to a life of being on stage as an actress and performing as a Country singer. I have always loved Country music and acting is just an amazing way to escape reality and build different characters which I love. Read more>>

Elisheva Rison | A Creative: An Artist, Writer, Speaker, Activist & Designer

In my life I have found that my best methods of effectively communicating myself were not the usual methods, Fashion and Art have always given me my voice when I could not find the words to speak! Fashion & Art were my first coping mechanisms as a child. I originally used fashion as a shield to deflect from the way that people made me feel uncomfortable with being Black, Jewish, and Orthodox. Read more>>

Susan W. Bell | Writer & Producer

From a very young age I was seeking knowledge and was interested in writing, drawing, and all things creative and artistic. At the age of 5, I discovered my passion for books and I built my first personal library. To this very day, I have my own library filled with books I love and cherish. As a teenager I decided I wanted to become an artist and my dad bought everything I needed. Read more>>

James Fenner | Illustrator

For me, pursuing a career as an illustrator was a no-brainer. I grew up in a creative household around music, crafts and painting. My mom was always creating & she really helped to encourage me to create without boundaries. From the moment I could hold a pencil I was making comics & presenting them to my classes. I think art is also the first place that I felt praise from the adults in my life – psychologically it was a huge motivator. Read more>>

Kyza Williamson | Salon Owner/ Operator

I’ll never forget the day I won the coloring contest in third grade. That’s when I knew that whatever I did I wanted to do something with color display. It was the end of the year and we had a coloring contest that was a competition within the entire class. This included all 20, yes 20 of my classmates. I knew when I seen the paper that was given to us , I was about to Rock it. Read more>>

Kate Grey | Singer/Songwriter/Producer

It’s funny because growing up, I always assumed I would have a very easy job and live an easy lifestyle just because I didn’t think I was smart enough to do something ‘big’. I would compose little songs on the piano but never dare call myself a songwriter because that’s only for cool people. I actually started making music a few years ago because I felt this strong calling to try, and ever since I wrote my first song I knew I couldn’t live without doing it. Read more>>

Siefyan Wali | Artist

I choose an Artistic career Because I have love for music. Music is what saves my mental and keeps me going with everyday life. I’m also gifted in music from singing to writing. Read more>>

Filippe Art | Tattoo Artist & Mentor

In fact, it was art that chose me, since my childhood, that’s what I know how to do best. Read more>>

Vladimir Kusijanović | Music Producer & Songwriter

Since I was a kid I was always highly into music and always felt a strong connection with it, while I was growing up I started making it and it was kind of like always clear to me that this was the path to follow. My mom has always been really creative even tho she doesn’t practice any type of artistic activity and both of my aunts are highly creative professionals. This was also a really important part for me to believe it was possible to pursue this type of career Read more>>

Teddy Jian | Cinematographer

My journey as a cinematographer has been a rewarding and profound exploration of cultures, emotions, and human stories. This profession has offered me a unique privilege to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, understanding their thoughts and experiences. As acclaimed filmmaker Edward Yang once expressed in a film, “cinema at least triples the length of a person’s life”. I have found this to be a vivid reflection of my own experiences, with each project opening a new window into an adventure unique in its challenges and rewards. Read more>>