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.

Exyl | Filmmaker, Animator, Designer

I kind of fell into it accidentally. I kept telling myself “oh I’m just doing this for fun, I’ll do something else when I grow up”, and then I just never “grew up”. Read more>>

Jade Hollingsworth | Art Major, UCLA

I pursued an artistic career because it has been something that I have loved doing since I was a kid, and it is something that makes me truly happy. I have always been drawn to drawing people specifically when I was younger, and as I got older, art became a “safe haven” for me when I was dealing with mental health issues. Whether it was making a detailed work or a simple smiley face, I was able to channel these emotions into something that was beautiful to me, and through it I was able to process and give value to them. Now I make a lot of art work revolving my sexual identity, gender expression, and grief/loss; and how these experiences have influenced me from childhood to adulthood. Through these works I want to express my own individual experiences with these subjects, but how they also affect different people as a whole or community; whether that has to do with race, gender, sexuality, or an intersectionality. Being a black queer woman, intersectionality is also something that is very important to me because of these different groups that I belong to, and my personal experiences with them. Moreover, I hope that through my work, others will also be able to have their stories heard, or feel inspired to tell their stories as well, in whatever way is meaningful to them. Read more>>

Lil Exosphere | Music Artist

Because one of the many reasons why is so whatever I’m thinking and feeling I can just vent with my art you know and it’s like whatever I may be thinking, feeling etc. I know someone else by the end of the day will relate. I mainly do this for myself and my supporters. Without them I wouldn’t be for where I am right now at this moment. Why I also decided to pursue this artistic career because you can just be you, which I feel like is most important. Read more>>

Makarya Santilla Diaz | Filmmaker, cinematographer

I grew up surrounded by artists and activists, so from a young age I’ve been exposed to passionate people. From a young age, I recognized that I just need to have a outlet to express myself and my perspective. My mother is a well known poet in the filipino community and I’ve met so many people who have been moved by her words. I don’t think, I know art is a powerful and has the capacity to bring lasting change. I’ve always wondered what my role is in making a more liveable future and I think visual story telling is my small contribution. Not everyone can spend their time researching injustice, sometimes people just don’t have the words to describe what they’re feeling in this crazy world, but we can all collectively identify ourselves in art. Read more>>

Vasti Varela | Event and Floral Designer

I often remember struggling in school as a child finding the simplest academic assignments to be difficult and frustrating. It wasn’t till I started college that I discovered I had dyslexia. Despite my difficulty in language arts and mathematics, I knew one thing was clear, I understood art, I had a passion to creating and problem solve to achieve something. I become completely consumed by it and positioned myself in a place that allowed me to make a living from it. Read more>>

Karie Citlali | Actress/ Writer/ Creative

I chose to pursue this career simply because there is no other work in my life that lights me up in the same way. I have a deep love and appreciation for the craft of acting and if I’ve spent the day pouring over a script, or in hours of rehearsal, then I had a great day. I might also blame my frequent and early exposure to the theater! I was very fortunate to grow up going to see shows all the time, my elementary school happened to be across the street from a performing arts center and I was very close to my grandmother who always had season tickets to our local playhouse. Between outings with my grandma and the school field trips I’ve maybe seen hundreds of plays and musicals. I have a very distinct early memory of seeing My Fair Lady and being so impressed with the performers thinking “Wow, I don’t think I could ever do that.. but I want to try.” Read more>>

Gabrielle Mar | Artist

As an artist, I passionately pursue an artistic career driven by my deep connection to nature, music, and eastern spiritual concepts. My imaginative universe is a rich source of inspiration that fuels my creative process. Through abstract expression, my paintings come to life, brimming with vibrant and positive energy. I strive to capture the essence of memories and emotions in my art, transforming them into unique and captivating moments on canvas. My ultimate goal is to spark meaningful dialogues and stretch the boundaries of imagination through my abstract works. With each brushstroke, I aim to actively infuse positivity and transcend the ordinary, illuminating the world with brightness and upliftment. My art seeks to distill the elements of life and the universe onto canvas, utilizing techniques such as dripping, dropping, and swiping, all guided by the fluidity of acrylic and flashe paints. I draw from calligraphy to infuse dynamic emotions into my creations, fostering an intuitive, liberating, and deeply personal practice. Through this, I hope to create a symphony of colors and forms that invite open discussion and interpretation, serving as a reflection of my gratitude for every moment and my profound love and respect for the world. Read more>>

Angel Moreno | Entrepreneur

I pursued a creative career because growing up I always loved watching films, and story lines. I love how you can tell a story through video and have your audience feel multiple feelings at once. I chose this path because I want to express my feelings through video, and tell stories. Read more>>

Julie Zhao | Film Producer

I chose to pursue an artistic career initially out of childish spite – you know when you’re told to do a certain thing and you do the complete opposite just to try and make a point? I grew up in Shanghai but went to the French international school there, which did not have much artistic courses included in the program. So whenever I had the chance, I would go to art exhibitions, independent film screenings, try to shoot short skits with my dad’s camera. I wanted to be involved in bringing new worlds to life through moving pictures, whether that be animation or live-action. I remember watching films on cassette tapes and rewinding them incessantly. Miyazaki’s films, especially, and the way they toed the line between fantasy and reality influenced my taste. That helped me develop taste in material and laid the foundation for my career path as an aspiring producer. Read more>>

Faybeo’n Mickens f/k/a DJ LiKWUiD | an award-winning international hip hop fusion artivist, DJ, songwriter, curator, music supervisor and educator.

I think that art provides a safe(r) space for tough discussions. Art also provides an opportunity for internal discussion for the viewer (or listener) to come to their own conclusion after digesting information of their own free will. Read more>>

Elton de Almeida | Screenwriter

From a young age, I was incredibly imaginative but also quite introverted, which made social interactions a challenge. It often felt like I lived in my own world, somewhat isolated from others. Writing, drawing, and making up stories became my outlet to express myself and connect with people. At the same time, I grew up in a small rural town in Brazil, and my family couldn’t afford travel or much in terms of leisure. So, I could only travel and have fun through the novels I’d borrow from the library and the VHS/DVDs I’d get from the rental store. When my mother won a video camera in a draw, I started playing around with it, creating my own shorts, which solidified my passion for cinema. When the time came to choose a career, there was no doubt in my mind—I wanted to be a filmmaker. That’s when I enrolled in film school in São Paulo, Brazil, and I’ve been on this creative journey ever since, working mostly as a screenwriter. Read more>>

Kaishui Liu | Photographer & Visual Artist

I pursue a career in the arts because the camera serves as my medium to explore the world and express my curiosity. My inquisitive nature drives me to be sensitive to the beauty and depth of the moments around me. Read more>>

Brian Jenson | DJ

I have been in the military for over 23 years and obviously with that career path, most of my work has been very directive in nature, following plans, executing missions, etc. So while there is some room to be creative and develop your own solutions and ways to do things, the nature of the job keeps you relatively boxed in. This combined with the fact that music was one of my biggest outlets during my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan helped lead me in the direction to become a DJ. When I got a stationed in England in 2013, I was able to meet DJ Chris Hawkes and immediately asked him to teach me how to play. I became instantly hooked and picked up mixing music extremely quickly. Before I knew it, I was opening for Chris, then playing with him, and landing my first residency at a speakeasy called 12A in Cambridge, England. Being able to play and mix music has become a great outlet to share my own art with the world, a way to cope with PTSD, and share part of myself with the world Read more>>

Valentina Rosset | Filmmaker

I always knew that this was where my biggest interests were, so internally, it felt natural to go this way. With the support I had, I was able to develop these interests and mature it into film. Being in theater and playing the piano when growing up was important for me to realize why I was attracted to the feelings of tension and release, which I believe are very present in the artistic field. But it’s way more than that, because film is a whole language and form of expression, and can be used as a tool to document struggles and expose conflicts. There are just endless possibilities, and the language of it really attracts me. Read more>>

 Jared Fellows | Mixer and Mix Tech

On the first short I ever worked on in college, I worked with a friend pretty closely on the sound edit. I really enjoyed the creative back and forth about the sound, but I especially liked his enthusiasm. He really cared about the outcome and was excited to tell the story. Participating and sharing in clients’s joy and energy excites me and motivates me to work. Also, each project’s process and storyline become a lasting part of you. The best projects I’ve worked on have changed me as a person. After a couple of those experiences, I knew I wanted to continue working in post-production sound. Read more>>

Chad Pulido | Author & Tarot Card designer & reader

Since I was young art and creativity have always flowed through me. Whether it was painting, drawing, school projects or anything expressive I found a love for it. It didn’t mean I was a pro but inside I felt happy. I’ve won poetry contests and ever since I was young I’d wake up in the morning and always grab a notebook and a pen and to this day I’m not sure why because some days there was nothing even written in the book but it was just a security or comfor I suppose. Fast forward to the past few years I have created a very successful business where interacting with clients was fun however I could only go so far with the services I offered. I wish I could say that I have found my purpose in life and am making tons of money doing what I love doing but that would be a lie. I decided to leave Los Angeles for a few months to find myself again, I’ll be honest I got caught up in the superficial, and phony image crap which most people try so hard to become or achieve. TAKE IT FROM ME that shit doesn’t matter. It’s very very sad to see the way Los Angeles changes people and how I allowed it to change me. After many unfortunate events it has opened my eyes, definitely humbled me and now I’ve taken a break from the city of Lost angels… but I’ll be back for sure and when I return I’m going to be stronger than ever and I’m going to be authentic and for those who want to be in my life and share the experiences then I’m glad to have them jump on board and for those who are just there to benefit themselves then be prepared because I’m going to put them in their place at first sight. Life is to short and I’m ready to do things differently. I have written a book called awakening the starseed which can be found on Amazon but I’m working on an even more powerful book about being someone in the light and entertaining and being intrigued by the dark. So my creativity is being used and I can’t wait for people to see the real authentic Chad. Read more>>

Lee Diemer | Costume Designer

I pursued an artistic career for the little girl who happily played in the crawlspace taping fabric swatches together to make decor and fashion for hours, and who later spent more time in school drawing gowns and doodling in the margins than taking notes. I’ve always know that creativity was my strength and my passion, but it took until I was able to move by myself to California in my early twenties to fully pursue a living as a Costume Designer. Working freelance and making a living off of my creativity has its challenges and I work all the time, but I would never trade it for a regular 9 to 5. There’s something about getting to see a concept go from just an idea to a full blown creation on a model or the big screen that never gets old. I love creatively approaching a concept or challenge and bringing my ideas to life! Read more>>

Kejun Wang | Concept Artist

Like many other artists, one of my favorite pastimes is doodling in textbooks. I would either use correction fluid and markers to overlay portraits of historical figures or create flipbook animations in the corners of the books. Unfortunately, the notion of earning a living through drawing figures seemed impractical to my Asian parents. When it came to choosing a college major, my parents strongly opposed the idea of pursuing a career in art. Reluctantly, I spent two years in science classes like Linear Algebra and Analog Circuit before deciding to drop out and delve into learning the fundamentals of art. Eventually, I landed a job as a concept artist for video games. I recall a popular saying that goes, “Don’t turn your hobby into work,” but fortunately, I have not found it to be true in my career. Instead, I genuinely enjoy my day-to-day tasks and rarely dread Mondays. For now, I envision myself continuing down the path as a creative professional working in entertainment mediums. Read more>>

Urmee Saiya | Writer & Director

Artistic and creative careers hold a unique allure. It can be a transformative journey for individuals seeking fulfillment. Having been an introvert all my life, vocalizing my feelings intentionally has been difficult. I was driven towards an artistic career by a deep-seated need for self expression and the desire to communicate emotions, ideas and perspectives. The creative process allows me to better understand myself. The other motivation to choose a career in the arts was the ability of art to provoke thought, create an impact and evoke emotions. It has a way of connecting with people and connecting people. Through storytelling I want to contribute to the collective narrative of humanity and create a ripple of change. Read more>>

Jai Shannon | Actress & Content Creator

What made me pursue my career in acting, was the sheer love of performing & entertaining. Evoking emotion from an audience while expressing my strongest desires on a stage, was where I fell in love for the first time at such a young age. I grew up in a small town called Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the arts are not as valued as other forms of entertainment, such as sports. Pursuing entertainment allowed me to be courageous & stand out among my peers & family members, & do something that had never been done before. Acting has also been so therapeutic for me & an essential tool I’ve used on my journey of self-discovery. Read more>>

Lana Bolycheva | Filmmaker

I guess there was no way for me not to pursue a creative career.

I have been painting since childhood, and in the middle school, I wanted to be an artist. In high school, I was in theater class, and then I went to college to study acting and then film. I was following my passion, and I first became an artist, not thinking that it would be my career. Then I realized I had been doing it for so long that I got very skilled, and it became my career. Read more>>

Alexia Liavas | Dance studio owner, choreographer & teacher

Dance has been a part of my soul since a very young age. For me, dance went far beyond taking classes at the studio… it’s what was on my mind all the time. Read more>>

Ectoh Lok | LA recording Artist

Honestly I was inspired by the early 90s hip hop scene as a kid . I remember hearing Eminem’s ” My name is ” and was like whoa this flow right here is sick . Then also when I was in the streets with the dons the would blast “damn” by young bloodz and all type of g music that had me hooked. It wasn’t till senior year of high school is when I first recorded my 1st track called “40 & a Blunt” over a das Efx instrumental. Lol you can still find that joint on sound cloud ! And iv been on music ever since Read more>>

Meghan Cavanaugh | Nashville based emo-positive genre-defying singer-songwriter

I decided to pursue art as a career because I think it is one of the most powerful forces that we have in the world to help people heal and deal with hard times. I want to do something in this world that is bigger than anything I could’ve ever imagined, and this is very close to that feeling. Read more>>

Zaneta Lin | Illustrator and Graphic Designer

I loved doodling! Growing up, I’ve doodled anywhere I could – whether it be on takeout boxes or while taking notes in class. But I had no idea that was what I’d end up choosing as my career path. It was a career I never even considered growing up until I found myself at a crossroads. It was the end of my Sophomore year in university and I was between choosing to become an elementary school teacher or taking a risk on an artistic career. At this point in my life, I’ve never taken a formal art class, but I knew it would be a dream that I didn’t want to miss the chance to try. I told myself, I would rather try and fail than not try and regret never giving it a chance. I took a chance on myself and I don’t regret an ounce of coming this far in my career. I love the joy of bringing smiles to people’s faces when they see my art and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Read more>>

Pramita Mukherjee | Animation film maker

Right from my childhood, I loved sketching and playing musical instruments. I also learnt and practiced Indian classical dance for over 17 years. My father was an excellent theater actor and guitarist, who played a huge role in nurturing creativity within me. But what fascinated me the most was cartoons or animated movies, as I always wondered how they were made. Read more>>

Remzi Hazboun | Director and Cinematographer

I just want to make things, and the fact is, I like making things with other people. To me film-making is the ultimate collaborative medium and that’s why I’ve kept doing it. Read more>>

Angie Wang | Illustrator

When I graduated from college during the Great Recession of 2008, unemployment was at a high, I had carpal tunnel syndrome from typing my undergraduate thesis, and my Linguistics degree hadn’t prepared me for the job market. The only work I was fit to do was, strangely, illustration. So that’s what I did. Read more>>