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.

Lauryn Anthony | Lighting Artist & Filmmaker

There’s a part in one of my favorite movies, The Red Shoes, where after being asked why she dances Moira Shearer responds, “why do you live?”; which I think is the best encapsulation for why anyone with an artistic drive gets into their career field. Read more>>

Vanessa Vasquez | Nail Artist

I chose to become a Nail Artist for a few reasons. The first being that it is a great way of creating a space for people to come and get a relaxing, fun service, and to express themselves in nail art. I get to meet so many new people from all over the San Fernando Valley and L.A. Read more>>

Doris (Yushu) Shen | Sound Designer & Re-recording Mixer

I pursued an artistic and creative career because music and sound have been foundational in shaping both my personal journey and professional aspirations. From a young age, I found solace and direction in the beauty of music, which ultimately led me to study audio production. Read more>>

Stella Kaplan | Musician, Performer & Film and Media Composer

I was lucky to have a childhood that was all about the arts—music, theater, dance. My parents could tell it was all I cared about. I started on violin at 4. Then came the theater camps and Irish dance. In middle and high school I picked up more instruments (mandolin, bass, drums, keys) and was in a bunch of bands. Read more>>

Wendolyn Rose | Singer Songwriter and Psalmist

From a young age, I experienced the impact of music on the human soul. I was 5 years old, very much afraid of the life that was swirling around me as my parents were in the middle of a separation due to my dad’s physical abuse and infideltites towards my mom and his life long battle with drugs and alcoholism. Read more>>

Lika(Yuyun) Su | interdisciplinary artist

For me, the process of creating works is an important way to explore and understand myself. In this process, I continuously discover my inner world, revealing the emotions and thoughts that lie deep within. Read more>>

Christopher Prinsloo | British/Kenyan Actor & Aspiring Director

That’s a tough question to answer. I was pushed to succeed in whatever I did growing up and for one reason or another, I developed a deep drive and need for success. However, not knowing what success meant to me, I chased a life that would make me the most money. Read more>>

YUXIN PENG | VFX Artist & Storyteller

When watching movies, I found that I really enjoy following the protagonist’s adventure and growth, overcoming difficulties. Therefore, I have decided to pursue a career related to movies and games in the future. In this field, any whimsical idea is possible. Read more>> 

Zeynep Delman | Ceramic artist and illustrator

I pursued an artistic and creative career because I discovered that I could express myself best through art. Creating allows me to escape the negative aspects of life by constructing surreal worlds where I can find solace and inspiration. Read more>>

Chenxi Zhang | Animation Director

I have gradually come to realize that artistic creation has become an inseparable part of me. Through creating art, I continuously explore and understand myself better, allowing me to express thoughts and emotions that I cannot convey through words alone. Read more>>

Carol Yan Li | Sound Designer

I believe that everyone working in a creative industry is driven by the same fundamental reason: love. The reality is that careers in creative fields are not the easiest paths to choose; these industries are competitive and demanding. Yet, we choose this challenging route because of our deep love and passion for our craft. Read more>>

Yuxiao Mu | Interdisciplinary Artist

inspired by my father, an architect. Growing up in the house he designed, I was captivated by the seamless blend of creativity and precision. As a child, I would sit by his side, immersed in the world of architectural design software, crafting my own imaginary houses. Read more>>

Bomi Lee | Singer Songwriter & Audio Engineer

I‘m an only child, and my parents both worked. In South Korea, unlike the United States, it was common for children to be home alone while their parents were at work. Read more>>

Jocelyn (Ziying) Zhao | Graphic Designer

Growing up, I spent over ten years learning painting, which helped shape my artistic aesthetics, craftsmanship, and spatial imagination. However, I yearned for something beyond traditional methods of expressing creativity. Read more>>

Benjamin Ramos | 3D Character Artist

Someone once told me “Art is the easiest thing in the world to get good at, all you have to do is keep making it.” I have found that creating art is one of the most rewarding challenges a person can experience. There is an ephemeral nature to it, most pieces begin with a blank canvas that over time turns into something beautiful or awe inspiring that would not exist had the artist not created it. Read more>>

Ximena Davis

I think I always knew I was going to be a creative. Ever since I was a kid, storytelling was a big part of who I was. Growing up without a TV, I had to come up with my own stories which led to me spending a lot of time writing. It started as plays and short stories, which eventually evolved into script writing. Read more>> 

Rocio Geraldine

I’ve always had a deep passion for the arts, whether it’s acting, dancing, or music. From a young age, these creative outlets have been a source of immense joy and tranquility for me. Pursuing an artistic career allows me to immerse myself in what I love most, bringing a sense of calmness and fulfillment that nothing else can match. Read more>>

Christina Amazan

I really don’t think I chose a creative career. It most definitely chose me. I’ve always been moved to create. From wanting — no, needing — to have that Crayola brand 64+ crayon box with the built-in sharpener in kindergarten to playing piano, flute, and piccolo throughout my formative years. Read more>>

Brea Holmes

I feel like God has orchestrated my steps to become a Costume Designer. I was around costumes all the time as a recital and dance team kid. My viewpoint of costumes had changed from the “Wow! this is so pretty” to “I wonder how they made that”. Read more>>

Yuting Wang | Multidisciplinary Artist

My motivations have shifted over the years, but it always comes back to who I want to be and how I want to live. You know that moment when you see someone and think, “I want to be like that,” or “I want to do that”? Read more>>