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 “chi Chi” Moore

The connection, experience, energy, journey, etc. There are no words to describe how connecting with another soul nonverbally can be like. It’s such a privilege to be capable of storytelling with my skeleton that it wasn’t a choice for me to pursue this career, but a must. I’ve always been more intuitive to approach things from an artistic perspective. Moreover, I’ve also always had strong sensations from experiencing feelings throughout my life. So, to connect myself to the world around me, it’s a must I exchange energy with other souls. Dance curates the space to connect with people on an emotional level, as well as constantly challenging my curiosity and creativity. Read More>>

Marissa Spokes

It was never really an option for me to not. Since I can remember I was always creating my own world of beauty, and if I’m not creating something I can easily fall into a bad head space. Trust me, I wish I were able to find a more stable job that has benefits and time off, but whenever I’ve tried to learn the skills required for a job like that, my brain just rebels at it and I hate every second of it. A desk job would be my idea of hell. I express myself with art, whether it’s crazy hair and makeup, becoming a different character, or physically making something with my hands. If I’m not creating something in some capacity my life feels dulled and stagnant. Read More>>

Jonathan Ade

Foolishness, stubbornness? There’s a little tick burrowed inside of me, around the base of my ribcage, and it scratches its little legs on the surface of my bones. I don’t feel it when I’m on the move, active, or present in my mind and body. But when I’m truly idle, it scratches, little by little. It compels me to make the most out of my tiny life, to face the fears of failure because the fear of NOT trying is so very much worse. Sometimes that tick is helpful. Most of the time, it torments me. I just feel like I can’t spend my days simply surviving. I have to contribute something to the world. Even if it’s just a passing observation. Read More>>

Natasha Najjar

It didn’t click until the last few months of my job as a legal assistant in 2016 that I actually thrive more in a creative environment than a 9 to 5. From 2015-2016 helping lawyers win personal injury cases for plaintiffs was straightforward and came easy to me so it was the exact confidence boost I needed at that time. Yet that confidence boost was only surface level because that job wasn’t truly fulfilling me. What I looked forward to most was after my shift carefully plating my meal with some garnishes and posting a photo on instagram before enjoying it. Sharing your meal online wasn’t just a trend I was following but something I took very seriously.  Read More>>

Joe Bando

I didn’t choose a creative life—comedy was the only thing that ever truly made sense to me. From as far back as I can remember, humor was my survival mechanism, my rebellion, and my refuge. I grew up in a violent, chaotic household in Cleveland, where laughter was the only form of control I had. My parents were abusive—physically and emotionally—and in a home where I never felt safe, comedy became my escape. As a kid, I’d listen to standup tapes under my covers at night, my Walkman serving as my only connection to a world beyond my circumstances. I studied the rhythm of jokes, the way comics shaped their stories, the timing, the punchlines.  Read More>>

Tareka Leshay Aka Memaw Jankins

Since I was a little girl, I have always loved to entertain people. It may be hard to believe but as a child, if I didn’t know you , I was shy. However, when anyone turned on music or I had an opportunity to perform in from of other especially dancing, I turned into a different person. So, I did a lot of theater growing up, and I was always told I was funny and very entertaining and that I should try doing stand up. That was a definite no for me. I could not imagine standing in front of people and making them last and the only focus would be me I was use to being in an ensemble or with a partner. I had stopped acting for many years, but during the pandemic I fell into a deep depression I lost so very important people in my Life Read More>>

Jeffrey Fallen

Throughout my entire life i have always felt “different”. Not in a good way at all but just questioning everything and felt trapped or something inside of me burning not knowing what it was. I can recall hearing certain artist i could relate to. The angst, the message or just energy from the guitars bass drums etc. Ive been told I’ve always been kinda angry and in a rush ever since i could show emotion. When i picked up the guitar everything changed for me. I found my outlet. My chanel and my inner voice. Weirdly and till this day cooking makes me feel the same lol. If i wasn’t a musician i would for sure be a chef. Read More>>

Miryam Marleny

I’m Miryam Marleny, a wedding photographer based in Southern California, but I’m available worldwide, wherever love stories take me. I specialize in digital and film photography, blending both to create timeless memories. Lately, I’ve also been exploring video to expand my storytelling.

I grew up in Guatemala, and my culture is a big part of who I am. Moving to California in my late teenage years was a blessing from God. This country opened doors for my family and me, it’s where I learned English, went to college, studied fine art photography, and eventually started my business. Read More>>

Aoi Murakoshi

Since my parents love music, I was exposed to various genres from an early age, including wind ensemble music, classical, j-pop, and fusion.

When I was 8 years old, I encountered a jazz big band made up of elementary and junior high school students. This was the first time when I met jazz. When I just started to play saxophone, I listened to fusion and funk saxophonists, but discovering Michael Brecker and Chris Potter led me to explore jazz artists like John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, and Kenny Garrett. I began performing at local jazz clubs in Sapporo and began to envision a future as a jazz artist. Read More>>

Amanda Ayala

I pursue an artistic and creative career because music is where I feel the most at home—it’s my safe space, my truest form of self-expression. Songwriting isn’t just something I do; it’s how I make sense of the world around me. It allows me to be completely honest about my experiences, my emotions, and the highs and lows of life in a way that nothing else does. It’s my outlet, my therapy, my release. Read More>>

Yoko Kohmoto

I can’t imagine doing anything else. When I had a crisis at 22 (ha!) about what to do with my life, I realized that all my life I’ve relied on the arts and being around creative people (I’m a theatre kid – but don’t get it twisted, I was backstage), and I didn’t have that anymore in my work at the time. Producing movies is where I’ve found myself after trying various things – like trying all the different sports as a kid, but this time I actually found something I both enjoy and am good at. Read More>>

Anisa Lucero

I’ve chosen to pursue an artistic career because it gives me the freedom to feed my creativity. Although I may not make as much money as I would working a 9-5, I’d rather put my time and energy into something I genuinely enjoy doing and allow myself to grow as a creative. One of my biggest fears is feeling like i’m boxed in or stuck, by giving myself creative freedom, I’m able to grow, and pursue things at my own pace. Read More>>

Erik Helewa

I pursued stand-up comedy because, for a long time, I didn’t know how to connect with people. I grew up feeling like I wasn’t really seen or heard, and for years, I just kind of existed in the background like an extra in my own life. Then, one day, I wrote a joke. And that joke got a laugh. And suddenly, I wasn’t just existing… I was connecting. Read More>>

Audrey Sato

I’ve been drawn to creativity and expression since I was a young child, whether it was through art, writing, or music. I think this is just a core part of who I am.
But when I entered college, I actually started out as Pre-Med, with a visual arts major. I wanted to pursue a career where I could help people and feel passionate about my job. Yet, I couldn’t let go of my creative nature and pursued art at the same time. During my sophomore year, as part of my art major, I took a class on modern architecture and instantly fell in love. Read More>>

Dawn Goldfarb Amy Gorin

“What sets us apart is that we truly came into this with no expectations—we started this as a passion project that we wanted to green light. We were honestly shocked by the instant success, and it’s been an incredible, unexpected journey. From the start, we’ve viewed every step as a learning experience. We had to learn quickly how to run a growing business, keep our clients’ needs at the forefront, and strike a balance between work and personal life. Along the way, we adopted a motto that has really helped us navigate the ups and downs: ‘There’s never a problem, only solutions.’  Read More>>

Hunter Hudson

Expressing one’s self through various art forms has always been super intriguing to me. Art gives everyone a blank canvas to express themselves without limitations, through different mediums.

Acting is my way to express myself. I remember when I was growing up I would be so incredibly inspired watching all the great classics and performers of the past. Being so immersed when watching movies I would create my own characters and write my own stories trying to emulate my heroes. Read More>>

Ming Cheng

As a multimedia visual artist, my driving force in creation has always been the desire to communicate with others. I believe that even the most private artwork is never just a one-way transmission of information—it inevitably resonates with the audience in some way, sparking thoughts and emotions. This indirect yet profound interaction through my work often makes me feel incredibly fortunate to be an artist.

Visual communication knows no boundaries. Because it is so free, offering countless possibilities to engage with others through sight and other senses, I am always thrilled and filled with anticipation at the prospect of being seen and heard throughout my creative career. This excitement for communication, along with the identity rooted in creation, is something no other job could ever offer me. Read More>>

Sofia Riccio

From the beginning, my goal has been to help people. I wasn’t sure whether that was physically healing people with medicine, educating the next generation by teaching, or guiding people through difficult times with art. It wasn’t until I was put through my own difficult time dealing with several bilateral knee surgeries when I was a teenager that I realized the true power that art can have. I didn’t have much to do besides sit around, so I watched movies, lots of them, and afterward, I would watch the behind-the-scenes videos that came with the film. Slowly, after watching hundreds of hours of these, and after getting back on my feet (literally), a career in film seemed like the exact right choice. Read More>>

Sona Lewis

Firstly, thank you for this opportunity to share my story.

Kathak dance, music, and art allow me to communicate with the world in ways words can’t. I’ve dedicated myself to my craft, and by consistently sharing it, opportunities naturally arise. Though it is not the most conventional path, it is full of depth, possibilities, and adventure. My mother says that I used to pick up household items and use them as props to dance as a toddler, before I even learned to speak. For some of us, art is our language—it chose us. Read More>>

Clayton Guiltner

As I reflect on my journey, I realize that no matter what path I’ve taken, creativity has always been at the center of it. Whether producing and figuring out the business side of things, writing a screenplay, directing a project, or coaching actors, storytelling has been the thread that ties everything together.

From an early age, I gravitated toward the arts. Growing up as the youngest of six in a busy household, I often found myself left to my imagination. I spent hours crafting puppet shows in my shared bedroom, weaving stories and bringing characters to life. When I discovered acting in junior high school, something clicked. The camaraderie of the theatre, the thrill of live performance, and the ability to step into another character’s shoes sparked something deep inside me. By high school, I knew I wanted to pursue this passion professionally. Read More>>