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.

Allison Scagliotti | Actor, Director, Musician, Teacher

It pursued me. My first taste of live performance came as a tiny ballet dancer in central California, then as a precocious piano player dreaming of Broadway from my elementary school in south Louisiana. 120 episodes of television and a music degree later, I can’t bring myself to pivot out of the art life. Read more>>

Curtis Chase | Comedian, Actor, and Writer

That’s an interesting question, it makes me wonder what sane person would actually choose to pursue this? It’s like you have to be delusional on some level to think you can make it. But I’ve always thought, people are out there having successful careers in the arts, so why can’t I? Read more>>

Shi-Hyoung Jeon | Cinematographer

There are 4 reasons why I like filmmaking and cinematography. First of all, no matter how great the master director is, the next film could fail.
Secondly, every story is different. Even with the same script, it could become a completely different movie depending on the people who make it.
Thirdly, we cannot do it alone. Read more>>

Pauler Lam | Dancer & Artist

Since I was young, I have always loved to dance. It was when I was the most happy. When I first got into it, I would meet up with other dance friends from other schools, and we would practice together at the local youth center every week . I grew up in Australia and went through many different jobs. Retail, waiter, technical support, salesperson. Read more>>

Kimie Joe | Artist: Painter, Potter, Art Instructor

I’ve always been a creative person at heart. From a young age I made my own paper dolls, origami toys, quilts, games. I loved creating. But my artistic career began when I became a mom. I started by painting my kids. Capturing their spirit and essence. Other parents would ask about my paintings so I started donating custom paintings and then started selling commissions. Read more>>

Nicole Han | Singer-Songwriter & Independent Artist

Creativity has been the common denominator of all of my endeavors growing up. I loved painting, dancing, acting, and doing the musical theater productions at my school every year. It only felt natural for me to pursue something creative professionally. I’m studying graphic design and creative marketing at school, and when I’m not at school I’m creating music. I’m very lucky to be able to be creative in all aspects of my life. Read more>>

Eduardo Salas | Writer & Director

Choosing a creative career wasn’t necessarily a conscious decision I made–an innate need to storytell and voice a repressed side of me was an itch I had to scratch. I stumbled across the realm of filmmaking in my formative years of high school where I eventually learned the basics of storytelling. Needless to say–I didn’t quite fall in love with it at first. Read more>>

Jackie Primrose Monahan | Stand Up Comedian, Actor, and Writer

I didn’t pursue comedy it pursued me. I was voted the Funniest girl in High school. I was asked to join a comedy group in Providence Ri called The Pork Chop Lounge. I later moved to NYC and my then-wife told me I had to try stand-up. I figured I would do it once and that would be it but I was hooked immediately. Read more>>

Francesca Brice-Martin | Producer and Director

Choosing to be a director was process for me. I have always had a predilection for artistic subjects when I was in school, whether it was drawing, music, painting, writing stories or anything about art. When I was a kid, I used to watch a show on TV about movie making. The show focused mainly on how they were building sets, making green screen shots and screen replacements. It was magic to me. Read more>>

Daniela Lugo | Actress & Filmmaker

I come from a strong business family. I have been learning how to manage a company and its finances since I was a child. However, I always knew deep down in me that my true passion was the arts rather than the business. I started taking theatre acting classes at the age of 5. I have had a strong connection with the arts from my childhood. Read more>>

Joey Chase | Actor & Model

I pursue an artistic and creative career to help encourage people of mixed ethnicity to establish a strong identity in the arts and entertainment industry. I myself am of mixed ethnicity, and I struggled with an identity crisis growing up. I am half-Japanese and half-Irish-American and have lived in both Japan and the USA. Growing up in a multi-cultural household, I was raised with various cultural clashes which help molded me into who I am today Read more>>