How did you choose a creative path?

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.

Ben Ball | Filmmaker/Actor

I pursued an artistic career because I had the resources to. I think if I couldn’t afford it, or if my family didn’t support it I’d have possibly moved into a different field, either intentionally or by necessity. Often, people give up on their dreams due to financial reasons, whether they like to admit it or not, and I’m just lucky that I didn’t have to make that decision. Read more>>

Chen Zhang | 3D Artist

I’ve had a strong interest in animation since I was a child. Initially, I enjoyed watching 2D animations like Japanese manga and traditional Disney animations such as ‘The Lion King,’ princess series, and ‘Tom and Jerry.’ Later on, after watching Pixar’s works like ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Finding Nemo,’ I was deeply attracted by their storytelling and techniques, and the animation industry became my dream.  Read more>>

Stephen Shenboyejo | Film Director

From a young age, I’ve been captivated by the power of storytelling and the visual arts. Growing up, I found myself constantly drawn to movies, not just for entertainment, but for their ability to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire change. This fascination led me to explore filmmaking as a medium to express my own ideas and perspectives. Read more>>

Pam Jue | Artist

I was always inclined to create because it was how I played. I went to college to study studio art in New York and was exposed to all kinds of art in that environment. It expanded my views but also made me focus less on the process of making art and more on how people would receive and judge it.  Read more>>

Vivian Chung | Dj, producer, singer, songwriter

Music healed me in ways therapy or medicine couldn’t. There is a song for every feeling we have. I have always wanted to help people and let them know they are not alone in what they are experiencing and to validate their feelings and I thought the best way to do that is through my music. Read more>>

Soukaina Alaoui El Hassani | Filmmaker & Producer

I don’t think I really had a choice in the matter. It’s funny because I always felt like I thrived in the arts classes but growing I always felt that I had to skew more towards these less creative career paths. And then when I was studying for exams for my biology or history classes, I realized I was using all these super creative ways to understand the subject matter. Read more>>

Shana Astrachan | Makeup Artist, Hairstylist, Jewelry Maker and Designer

I pursued an artistic creative career because I love making and creating things. I love working with my hands. I love color, texture, patterns, shapes and am inspired by so many different things including fashion, music and architecture. I couldn’t imagine a world in which I was not doing something creative daily. Read more>>

Suzi Abadjian | Master Hairstylist & Educator | CEO of Chita Beauty

I have always been deeply passionate about creativity and self-expression. From a young age, I was fascinated by how hair could transform someone’s appearance and boost their confidence. Hair styling is not just a job for me;  Read more>>

Pranav Aditya | Music Composer, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer

I always wanted to do music at a very early age. I started learning piano at the age of 9. My dad being a pianist himself, was very inspiring for me to learn piano, and at the age of 17, I started producing my own music. Read more>>

Karla Maldonado | Director & Producer

From a young age, I’ve always been a creative person. I loved to let my imagination run free as I created different drawings of unique characters or dressed up, making crazy scenarios. Up until high school I was more so focused with drawing and painting, with some arts and crafts as well. Read more>> 

Megan Du | Visual Artist/Illustrator

From a young age, I was drawn to a secret corner in our house, tucked away behind the curtains in the study room. On those hot, lazy afternoons when my parents napped, I would escape to this hidden nook. The cicadas’ song, the glaring sunlight, and the sweltering heat seemed to halt time itself.  Read more>>

Irene Jung | Character Concept Artist & Visual Development Artist

My career until now was led, in short, by bringing my passion to the fullest. I was always fascinated by novel ideas and grew up inspired by different sources of entertainment. When I felt stressed or bored, drawing was the go-to outlet. I was always striving to become a person who could capture an imagination and turn it into reality. Read more>>

Evan Ponter | Creative Director & Writer

I’ve always been drawn to creating art. I spent a lot of my youth filming my friends skateboarding or doing Jackass stunts on my Hi8 camcorder. Then I became the bassist and screamer in a hardcore band called Kill For Less. Read more>>

Robin Lane | Producer, Director, Relationship Coach

Ask most folks in the Arts and they’ll give you the same answer ” It’s a calling ” Read more>>

Eaven Harrington | Experimental Animator

I think it roots back to me being a visual learner because I’ve always relied on communicating by heavily referencing things I could visually point out to others. I’ve never abandoned thinking about this kind of learning tactic and grew into using it as a means of communication and especially as a means to express myself as an individual so a large part of my choice in choosing an artistic career path is because I want to surround myself with people who understand or are like-minded in similar aspects. Read more>>

He “Shirley” Sui | Independent Film Producer

My favorite director is Lars Von Trier, particularly for his films The Idiots and Dancer in the Dark. I was immediately drawn to the strong female characters and the raw, powerful stories he tells, which have a profound emotional impact. I also have a deep appreciation for Dogme 95 films, which use simple, unfancy shots to convey incredibly powerful narratives. Read more>>

Junxiong Zhu | Cinematographer, filmmaker

When I was watching films at a very young age, I always had those “goose-bump” moments, as I think the the emotions and feelings on screens was so strong that they blew my mind up. Later on, I think it means more than just the particular moment when I was watching those films. Read more>> 

Daniel Quiyu | Video Producer and Cinematographer

I never had a “aha!” moment where I decided to pursue an artistic career. Ever since I was a kid I just gravitated towards creative pursuits. Whether it was learning how play guitar in elementary school, making skateboarding videos with my friends in middle school and high school, and then eventually landing in film school for college, I always enjoyed making something, no matter the medium. Read more>>

Adam Schmieder | Composer & Music Artist

I’ve had the conviction to pursue something creative ever since I was a kid, having been surrounded by creative people and influences throughout my upbringing. Back in elementary school, I used to make animations on the Nintendo DSi, and was obsessed with building machines and contraptions (vending machines, slot machines) using Lego pieces.  Read more>>

Mimi Liu | Motion Graphic Designer

Growing up, I was a really quiet kid, so I preferred to communicate and express myself through visuals. This sparked my fascination with art and typography. In high school, I discovered graphic design and fell in love with it immediately. Read more>>

Vanessa Torres | 3D Character Artist

Lots of kids start out loving all forms of art — singing, dancing, drawing. I think I’m just one of many who picked my favorite form and kept it going. Growing up, I found that of all the things I was kinda successful at, it was art that made me feel the most proud of myself.  Read more>>

Style by Walt Walt Cholmondeley | Costume Designer & Wardrobe Stylist

I have always had an interest in fashion, styling and costuming for as long as I can remember. Everything from television, to film, to red carpets, runways, magazines, music videos and street wear. Read more>>

Gloria Otero | Dance Teacher, Sound Healer, Director of the Kids of Tomorrow Program

I pursued an artistic and creative career because I believe that people need the freedom to express their feelings and aspirations. Dance and mindfulness both heal and bring happiness to people. Read more>>

Sean Moran | Live & Studio Keyboardist

I pursued a career in music because music has always been the language through which I best express myself: specifically through the piano. From the moment I first touched the keys of a piano, I felt an instant connection, a certain level of peace and focus. Read more>>

Folsom Keller | Music Producer / Audio Engineer & Multi Instrumentalist

As far back as i can remember I’ve always wanted to be an artist. My family are all artists themselves. My Mother has always been a fashion designer, while my father is a musical theater actor turned screenwriter.  Read more>>

Fei-Chen Wang | Motion Graphic Designer

I’ve enjoyed drawing since I was a kid, which is a common sentiment among artists. Even as a youngster, my mom could keep me quiet for hours by giving me paper and markers. She was an interior designer, and I used to accompany her to different places. Read more>>

Adriana Natale | Writer/Actor/Producer

From the earliest I can remember, I was directing plays in my living room with my cousins and making stop-motion movies with my stuffed animals. I continued following my joy, participating in theater from middle school through college, and never stopped. Read more>> 

Miles Elliot | Artist

I really enjoy film, literature and art in general. My mind is always running and thinking about different visual scenes and I love when I’m able to make something out of my head and then share it with others to hopefully inspire them. Read more>>