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.

Imani Hamilton | Photographer & Director

Ever since I was in pre school I was drawn to art. When my mom would pick me up from daycare, the teachers would show her my paintings I did during class and would urge her to let me pursue art in my later years. As I got older I realized I was never into the the idea of being a doctor, a lawyer, or anything that felt “boring” to me. Read more>>

Owen Marcus | Entrepreneur, men’s emotional wellness trainer, author, speaker, creative

Growing up, I viewed creativity through a narrow lens, seeing it solely as the domain of artists and musicians. As someone with dyslexia, I felt distanced from traditional notions of talent. Read more>> 

Carla Lawson | Visual Artist/ Author

I chose to pursue my artistic career when I was urged by my mother to consider how I would feel as a senior citizen looking back over my life and realizing that I never gave myself a chance to express myself creatively. Read more>> 

Sam Grinberg | Cartoonist

It’s an interesting question, because for me, there was never a moment where I questioned that was not going to be my career (in one form or another.) I decided I’m going to “be a cartoonist”, around 10 when I fell in love with drawing comics. Read more>>

Vontavia J. Heard | Author & Founder of “Reader, Writer, Storyteller”

I have always enjoyed expressing myself through writing. I used to write screenplays, poetry, and short stories, but I’ve found what I truly enjoy is writing for children. I love being able to shape young minds and inspire them to read more.  Read more>>

Xiesiyuan Shu | Creative Designer

Since childhood, my passion for art, nature, and aesthetics has been nurtured through painting sessions with my grandfather, a photographer whose influence shaped my artistic journey. Painting became more than a hobby; it became a sanctuary where I found inner peace amidst the interplay of hues and colors. Read more>>

Sirui Li | Visual Designer, Interactive Designer & Space Designer

I am drawn to creative work because the effort of pushing my thinking to its limits always brings surprises into my life. To maintain a creative mindset, it’s crucial to break free from my own limitations, continuously learn, and understand knowledge from different fields, including the latest in science and technology.  Read more>>

Ronika Merl | Writer and Director

For me, it was never really a choice, I think. One of my earliest childhood memories is when I used to sit on a rock high above a waterfall, somewhere in the mountains in India – and all I could do, all day, was to just make up stories in my head. Read more>>

Yiwen Qian | Film/MV Producer

The decision to embark on an artistic career has been shaped by a blend of personal experiences and an inherent thirst for creativity. My journey began with playing a significant role in a feature film during Grade 7, where I was first introduced to the magic of storytelling through performance.  Read more>>

Yu Harn Hwang | 3D Artist for Film and Games

Initially, I believed that my ultimate goal was to do graphic design. However, after watching Frozen, the look development amazed me. At that moment, I knew I wanted to create work like that. That experience completely changed my career path.  Read more>>

Omar Hussein | Actor

I discovered I loved performing when I did my first play in middle school. The feeling of being able to Largely express myself in a safe space for the first time was thrilling. I continued on that path all throughout Highschool and college. Read more>>

SIDDHARTH AGRAWAL | Cinematographer & Editor

I pursued an artistic or creative career because of my innate passion for storytelling and visual expression. From a young age, I found immense joy in capturing moments through photography and exploring the power of narrative in film.  Read more>>

Roxane Dupont | Photographer & Aspiring Writer and Producer

I don’t know if I have a clear answer to this. I always wanted to work in Entertainment. I was always passionate about films and TV, and a part of me always thought that was what I was meant to do. I considered going to film school many times, but it always felt like a risky bet.  Read more>>

Rey Bermudez | Teaching Artist, Enrichment Counselor & Relational Dance Founder

Dance has been a integral part of my life-story. My mother introduced me to all types of music and movement when I was a kid. It was being ridiculed by friends when I was a tween that motivated me to learn how to dance. Read more>>

Yan (Angela) Hua | Creative Producer & Script Reader

Growing up, I’ve always been attracted to films and TV. Each film exposes me to a different world, and to a younger me, it was an easy way to experience others’ lives without even leaving the comfort of my own home.  Read more>>

Devon Thompson | Artist/Songwriter

I don’t know how else to be other than a creative person. Being in the confines of a 9-5, brainless job where you don’t get to grow and challenge your creativity sounds like death to me. This absolutely works for a lot of people, they like stability. Read more>>

Michelle S. Fillmore | Oil Painter

Art as a profession wasn’t something that was encouraged for me growing up. My father loved seeing the things I could create, and he was very proud of my abilities, but I think he was very nervous about allowing me to believe it could be something I could make a living off of. Read more>>

Chema Suarez | Content Creator, Model and Creative Thinker

I pursued an artistic and creative career as it was my natural calling. Growing up in Madrid, Spain, my life was comfortable but lacked purpose. However, moving to Los Angeles ten years ago was a much-needed change, allowing me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new challenges.  Read more>>

Jenni Ruiza | Actress & Writer

There was never a doubt that I wanted to do something artistic. When I was a kid, I would lock my parents out of our shared bedroom and throw concerts with my hairbrush, a fan that would blow my hair in the wind, and perform in front of the mirror. Read more>>

Miguel Martinez | Filmmaker & Writer

I remember with absolute clarity the first time in my life that I realized I wanted to pursue a creative career. I remember the first time in my life when I felt a sense of purpose. That time was immediately after the final shot of Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth”.  Read more>>

George B. Kelly | Motion Picture Producer, Director, and Instructor

That’s a surprisingly hard question to answer… My grandfather was a pioneer in film processing of home movies and consumer film cameras in the 1920s to 40s. My father worked as an engineer in the motion picture industry before pursuing a career in science. Read more>>

Cécile Roberfroid | Oil painter

Art has been a constant presence in my life, offering a profound sense of identity and belonging during my nomadic upbringing. It provided a safe haven, allowing me to navigate the complexities of the world around me. Read more>>

Huston Pardee | Videographer/Editor

I chose a creative career because that’s all I ever wanted to do. Ever since I was little I don’t think there was a single moment I wanted to choose a different career. I really think it started with my mom (shoutout moms).  Read more>>

Fabien Gravillon | Actor and Singer

I wanted to follow an artistic career because since I was very young I dreamed of becoming an actor and singer. I remember when I was at school, I organized shows in the playground. I was acting or singing in front of my first audience who were actually my classmates. Read more>> 

Dhruv Patel | Multidisciplinary Designer

Embarking on my creative odyssey, the genesis occurred amid the corridors of CEPT University, Ahmedabad, where the tapestry of my journey began to unfold. Armed with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design, I traversed the cityscape, filling sketchbooks with the vibrant pulse of urban life and honing my keen eye for architectural intricacies. Read more>>