We asked some of our favorite folks what makes them happy and why?

Ola Shabazz Quadri | Creative Director, Photographer, Model, & Quality Engineer

Being present in my creativity is a big joy. Endeavoring in many different forms of art allowed me to experience time in differ ways: freezing time with a photo of that’ll eventually become nostalgia, slowing time when sewing a garment and utilizing patience, or feeling time when writing a script/storyboard. Also I love collaborating with different with different artists/creatives, typically a creative bomb goes off and now we got something that wouldn’t had been an idea with just one head. Read more>>

Joshua You | Story Artist & Filmmaker

Watching a stunning film definitely makes me happy. Whenever I watch a masterpiece, I can feel my heart racing, filled with inspiration, and I get to remind myself that I also want to create a film that can also make the audience’s heart race. Several people give me the advice that I should keep my personal life and my work life separate, but that’s definitely not easy. I’ve been doing art ever since I could hold a crayon in my hand, and it became an enormous part of my life and my ego. Therefore, the status of my creative process impacts my daily mood as well, which can be both a positive aspect and a negative aspect. Read more>>

Lauri Allen | Sea Glass hunter, photographer, crafter, jeweler, mom of 4 daughters and 36 year speech pathologist!

In terms of this new business and pushing through my comfort zone, having a booth, at an art show and hearing positive comments about my pieces is so gratifying. I love when someone is excited and immediately puts on a seaglass pendant that spoke to them or light up when they choose a canvas or other item. I love getting pics from customers of my art hanging in their homes. I am truly happy that someone chooses to buy something from me and finds value in it for the aesthetic, but even more so from the story or journey the piece has had. I also LOVE to gather my sea glass! I simply scamper down to the beach and am so excited when the rocks are showing whether easy pickings on the beach or in the surf. Read more>>

Jeffery Alan Jones | Composer • Sound Designer

Working on my creative projects and being in the moment. I sacrificed many things in life and took the time to work on my craft. The passion was always there; resistance would have been futile. I love it so much that I never felt like it was work, and I still don’t today. Everything I’m doing now culminates where I started and where I’m going. It’s immersing myself in every step of the creative process. Read more>>

Lindsey Vernon | Musician

Moments. Specifically being 100% in them.
I think as humans we tend to forget like 90% of the life we live, and hang onto that 10% that peaked our interest. i try to remember the feeling 10% gives me and fully connect with it. It could be sitting alone making my favorite breakfast or preforming in front of thousands of people. I live for that moment of feeling right there. It’s so rare because of all the premonitions and self-awareness, y’know? Kinda annoying sometimes, so i love when it’s turned off. Read more>>