Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Cecilia Partida | Photographer

When I had my second child I started to experience postpartum depression. When I would bring out my camera I realized how much it helped me mentally. I enjoyed it and just brought me back to life. Being able to photograph families and knowing that these memories would last forever made me so happy. I love candid shots and my clients love that my photography showcases that. Read more>>

Kimtsy Sanchez Gomez | Makeup Artist

I pursued an artistic career for so many reasons. At a very young age, I became obsessed with History and film. I was fascinated by the art of transformation, the storytelling and the different makeup trends that have evolved over time. I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of in some way. I was always attracted to colors, but I loved that in makeup it came in so many different forms (lipsticks, eyeshadows, etc.). You can use them in different ways to express who you were or to translate who a character was. Read more>>

Christopher Giron | Horror artist / Digital Artist

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to become an artist. I pursued a career in the art industry not only for my love of art, or my love for drawing,I did it because I want to show the world that there is more to horror and gore art, than just the blood and guts. I became an artist because I want to tell many stories using my art, I want to take my viewers into a journey throughout my head, and bring the world a different image to horror and gore art. Art is one of the best ways to express our feelings, but its also one of the best ways to tell a story, I can promise you this, all my pieces have a different story to them, it is up to you as the viewer to unfold it as you view my work. Read more>>

Ryan Schiedermayer | Professional Musician & Educator

This is perhaps a bit cliche, but it wasn’t as much a conscious choice but rather a calling that chose me. The music thread runs deep on my Mom’s side of the family, with a few of us pursuing music and music education as a career. My Dad’s side of the family has a strong entrepreneurial streak, so I knew from an early age that I wanted to carve out my own career in music, and do it my way. Read more>>

Matt Rogers | Artist & Painter

I’m not sure I chose an artistic career versus an artistic career chose me. I was handed a paint kit in 4th grade and taught the basics of color theory, which colors move back, which colors move forward, which were warm colors, which were cool colors. Once I understood a few basics I couldn’t stop. I chose to take my notes in the margins and use the main page for my drawings. I enjoyed recreating rock and roll album covers on friends’ binders. Art has been with me my whole life, it has been something I can pick up pretty much anywhere. Read more>>

Kiley Roache | Writer

I started writing when I was 11 or 12 years old. This might sound odd, but looking back, I started writing in part because of Taylor Swift. I remember hearing an interview in which she spoke about her creative process, and how she realized she loved writing sitting at a desk in math class, writing poetry instead of the assignment, and realized that if she arranged the words on the page just so, the words would sort of sing. That thrill, of writing and rewriting until you had something that leaped off the page, is to me the crux of craft and style. Read more>>

Owen Dara | Filmmaker, Singer/Songwriter & Comedian

Artistic expression is something that has always been a part of me. I don’t know why creating is such a compulsion for me, but there is no denying that it is an integral part of my being. I grew up believing that becoming an artist was not a valid career path to follow, so in my youth I never imagined that I would end up dedicating my life to it. It just seemed impossible; no matter how much I constantly felt a pull towards the arts, a voice in my head constantly told me that it was something I could never realistically pursue. Read more>>

Johnny Park | Digital Content Creator

I pursued a creative career because it is what make me happy. When I am doing anything creative for work, it doesn’t even feel like work to me. The fact that I can make something that can benefits or inspire someone else is such an amazing concept and I love every part of it. For the longest time I was scared to go down the creative career path because it wasn’t seen as conventional, but once I took the risk and took my leap of faith I noticed how happy I was. I am currently nowhere close to where I want to be in my creative journey, but I am proud that I was able to start. Read more>>

Nicolette Paige | Singer – Songwriter & Revolutionary Soul

I chose to pursue an artistic career because my music is not only therapy for myself, but an inspiration to those who enjoy it. I love using music as my outlet, I love being on stage and reaching the soul of the people. Even if I tried to completely stop pursuing music I don’t think I could do it because wherever I go, music is sure to follow somehow, always extending opportunities for me to create. Read more>>

Katy Bentz | Actor & Twitch Streamer

When I was younger I was extremely shy and it made me a target for bullying. I endured bullying throughout my elementary and middle school years, even a little into high school. My mom put me in a cheerleading group when I was around 10 and she said that was what started me coming out of my shell. It’s like it gave me permission to perform, to entertain, to be someone other than the shy little girl to pick on. I hadn’t found the right group yet until I found the drama club in high school. Once again I was given permission to be myself and accepted for who I was, loud, weird, goofy, emotional, despite being bullied still on the outside of that group. Read more>>

Ceci Haha | Trilingual Actress

I have always loved art ever since I was a child because I get to express myself freely through art, you can be whoever you what to be and at the same time, you can be YOURSELF. Growing up I was struggling in school, I was far from being best in class, and I would get in trouble by being “different”. I liked to think out of the box and I liked to do things creative ways. Being in a Catholic all-girls school in Hong Kong, I had to follow certain rules like you have to wear your hair up without covering your eyebrows and face, you cannot wear earrings that are bigger than 3mm, the length of your uniform has to be 2 inches below your knee, and etc.; Read more>>

Chanel Brenner | Poet & Writer

I chose to be a writer in response to a series of intuitive moments. One of the most significant ones was when my son, Riley, was two years old. Watching my husband, Lee, run around with him in our backyard, I remember thinking how someday, Riley would be older and not need me as much. I heard a voice in my head say, take that writing class. I hollered to Lee from our backdoor, “I’m signing up for that class I told you about!” Read more>>

Alexis Hernandez | Vegan Skincare Formulator

I’m not sure if I pursued it or if it was just my only option. Being a creative is something that’s been ingrained in me since I was little. I would always draw or be busy with my hands. As a kid, a good chunk of my upbringing was in a craft store. My mom used to work at a craft store called, Carousel Crafts in La Habra and when there were no sitters available I would just go with her to work and be painting in the back or creating something behind the register desk. She herself is also a painter and would teach classes to adults and kids. Read more>>

Daniel John Maramba | Photographer

It was just the endless desire for me to create art for a story that has yet to be shared with the world. To capture the emotional complexities and weave them into a photographic narrative. That is something that I’ve always loved about art, it is the ability to share what is imagined or what is seen, but wanting to regurgitate it into the narrative of what should be felt. The driving force in my growth as an artist is being highly captivated and in awe of artists who were able to establish detailed tone and setting through their art. Read more>>

Jahn Stone | Musician, Artist, Writer

I feel like that’s my niche. I feel like that’s what I, as a person, bring to the table in life. That’s my offering to the world and how I plan to leave a mark before i leave here Read more>>

Jake Sanderson | Film Composer & Orchestrator

I believe there is nothing more powerful and nothing better to bring people together than art. Music, specifically, transcends this corporeal world into something else entirely. When I listen to different genres of music whether it be Gregorian, Spiritual, Classical, Film Music, Classic Rock, etc, I feel the emotion; the powerful the music provokes. When I see people listening together it is amazing to see the different perspectives people have on the same piece or song and how it brings that group together, and for a brief moment forget about the worst things happening in the world; the redundancy, the negative thoughts. All of it passes even if just for a moment. Read more>>

Czar Scott | Artist & Songwriter

Mainly because this is where my love for writing, music, and philosophising meet … Yes, philosophising. (are we allowed to joke in here?) For the sake of this interview, let’s replace “philosophising” with, my love for watching and/or hearing things come together. The feeling I get when I hear the completed version of a song I’m apart of, is almost inexplicable. Especially now that I got to the point of creating at a level that I can be proud of. Read more>>

Porchia Shallowhorn | CEO, Lyricist, Writer, Motivational Leader, Women Of God

The main reason I’ve chosen to pursue a creative career is because its a way for every human being to express themselves. No matter if its done in a negative or positive way, the expression is still there. We all go through life and many times people don’t know how to express themselves verbally because of fear or lack of confidence. So I believe putting your emotions into something very positive can become very powerful. As humans we want people to understand us because if you in someone’s space you need to know them. Also, you can inspire people to bring forth their gifts too. Read more>>

Dee Dee Stephens | Actor/Comedian, Producer & Teaching Artist

I pursued a creative career because I was unhappy in Corporate America. I was working as a banker in the Bay Area and I was on my way to becoming a wealthy financial advisor but I hated it so much I could barely breathe! The job was making me physically sick; I was out on sick leave for several months but doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with me. I left for LA and never looked back. Read more>>