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.

Andy Freakin Ford | DJ on air personality at Razor Radio

I don’t really look at Razor Radio as a career. I look at as my fun time because the hard work was with the 22 years I spent in the US Navy.. in fact my VA benefits are what let become an intern at KNAC at 41 years old. Read more>>

Damin Lujan | Mural Artist

I have been into art since I was 5, if I wasn’t skateboarding, I was drawing comic book characters and words.
Growing up in Culver City I was close to and skated Venice Beach but most skate spots in the 80”s / early 90’s were filled with graffiti. I fell in love with the colors, the letters, the characters I saw on walls. I would draw and skate with friends daily after school. I have loved art as long as I can remember and it’s something I have always done since I was a kid. Growing up I didn’t know it was a career to be an artist so I wanted to be an architect, but once I finished high school and went to college I realized I’m not a fan of school. Read more>>

Sofia Kondrasheva | Artist in animation and animated short films director

Being from a creative family I didn’t think twice which career path to choose.

Both of my parents were artists and looking at their work I started drawing myself. I was always interested in storytelling: at the age of four I drew my first little comic book. It is very funny to look at it now when I have way more experience but I think, that it was a good first try.

When I was five, my dad showed me a French animated film “the triplets of Belleville” by Sylvain Chomet. It impressed me so much that I decided to become an animation director when I grow up. But in order to get to a such a high position as “director” you have to learn a lot about art and animation and gain experience first. So, I attended an animation high school where I learned the basics of film creation and painting. Read more>>

Diego Riker | Videographer / Editor

I have always been so interested in people turning their passions and creative interests into their careers. I figured that if there was a way others were doing it, I’d be selling myself short to not take on the challenges and figure it out myself. Read more>>

Rosalind Grush | Writer & Producer

I am a writer and producer. Writing, the arts, performance, and storytelling have been central to what I do and think about every day, since I started reading and watching TV. I was always going to do something in the arts and I’ve done a ton of different things. In school, I played a piano concerto with an orchestra. I was a featured personality on a Disney reality TV show. I was a violinist in a mariachi band. I had so much fun creating things as a kid and there was no other direction my life was going to go. Read more>>

Tyler Coon | Filmmaker

I spent most of my life with eyes on a career in business and entrepreneurship. In hindsight, my interest in those fields were only in the act of “creating” something. Being solely responsible for the existence of a thing– something tangible and shareable– is something that I find so much joy in.

When I was about 20 years old a friend of mine and I stumbled upon an opportunity to make a documentary film about an issue in our hometown of Lenox, MA (despite neither of us having production experience of any kind). What followed, for me, was falling in love with craft that I’d never even considered dipping my toe into before. Read more>>

Joshua Hoyo Jr | Actor, editor, radio host, producer

A career in artistic or creative feilds is the only thing that interests me. I’ve had regular jobs but when I was there I felt like I was drowning. In creative fields like production, acting, radio, or graphic novels I feel genuinely awake and alive not like I’m just going the motions of a person but actually being one. Read more>>

Yvonne Romera | On-the-spot typewriter poet

identity, my career being the first. I used to be in banking, which had no creative outlet but a lot of financial stability, and I would pursue my fun hobbies after work. I would do jigsaw puzzles, roller skate, and teach a beginner pole dance class outside of work.

So when I lost that job at the end of 2023, I had to face the existential question of “Who am I without a career?” I spiraled, fell into despair because I was facing a brutal job market. Halfway through 2024, I began to practice writing again; a natural talent I had put on hiatus since 2018. It felt stiff, like an older ballet dancer coming home to what she once loved in her younger days. I pushed through what felt like chunky and bland writing until I felt the familiar flow of words stretch my brain muscles. I was slowly calling myself a writer again. Read more>>

Rachael Hulse | Wedding & Portrait Photographer

I’ve loved photography since I was a child, and it’s always been a way for me to express myself creatively. In college, I studied Art and Photography but ultimately majored in something else because I believed photography might not provide a stable living. I even had a counselor at an art school tell me it was probably just a hobby and encouraged me to pursue something else.

For years, I followed a more traditional career path in corporate America. While I gained valuable skills, I found myself feeling burnt out and unfulfilled. During that time, I picked up my camera again, and it was like a light switched on inside me. For the first time, I truly understood what it meant to feel passionate about something. Photography reignited my sense of purpose and creativity, and I realized it was what I was meant to do. Read more>>

Bin He | Film producer director

As a film producer, pursuing an artistic and creative career allows me to bring stories to life, connect with audiences on an emotional level, and leave a lasting impact on culture and society. Film is a powerful medium that combines art, storytelling, and technology, offering endless possibilities for innovation and expression.

I chose this path because I am deeply passionate about the magic of storytelling—how it can inspire, challenge perspectives, and spark important conversations. Producing films is not just about managing logistics; it’s about creating a collaborative environment where diverse talents—writers, directors, actors, and crew—can come together to craft something greater than the sum of its parts. Read more>>

Hyungjin Lee | Animator & Storyteller

I’m a sensitive person and I feel things very deeply. I think I started making art because I always had an excess of emotion and I needed a way to process and express them so that I could move through life. Even though I had been making art since I was a child, I never considered that it could be my career until college. I am very grateful that I met mentors and friends who showed me that my work is valuable and that my voice should be heard. I knew that being an artist wasn’t the easiest path, but it was the only path that made me excited for my future. Even a few years ago, the unpredictability of this career scared me more than it excited me. Now I think that balance has flipped, and I’m grateful that my career allows me to truly shape my path. Read more>>

Mari Yoshikawa | Dancer &study abroad

The reason I started this activity was to change my negative self. The dance I began in my second year of junior high school had a huge impact on both my personality and my future. At that time, I was someone who didn’t want to change my beliefs, but at the same time, I was overly concerned about how others saw me. I felt frustrated because I couldn’t express my opinions, and I was often perceived as difficult to approach because of that. It was during this time that I discovered dance, and it helped me a lot. The reason it helped was because expression through dance is free. Without worrying about being right or what others think, I could release and organize my emotions, and I could also appreciate and acknowledge the expressions of others. I was drawn to this environment, and it became a part of my life. Read more>>

Matt Larcin | Designer & Educational Technologist

I pursued an artistic and creative career because it felt like a natural extension of who I am. From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to art and design—finding joy in creating, shaping, and bringing ideas to life as a graphic and web designer. When it came time to choose a career path, I was accepted into an interior design program, but I ultimately chose graphic design department to study at the fine arts academy/university in Istanbul, Turkey. At the time, it felt like a practical decision, but deep down, I always knew my passion for design went beyond just one discipline. Read more>>

Caleb Kephart | Art Director, Scenic Builder, Art Slut

I didn’t choose the thug life, it chose me. In March 2020, after working in sales for the better part of 20 years and securing what I thought would be my dream job selling season tickets and luxury suite memberships for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, the entire world of sports came to a halt. We didn’t know if sports and live events would even be a thing moving forward, and the prospects looked grim.

But then in June 2020, my friend Kato Lawton, a brilliant production designer in her own right, asked me to be her art director on an indie feature being made that summer. She hired me not because of my eye for design or ability to keep a tidy budget, but because we would be traveling in a pod together to New Mexico and I was fun on road trips. She also recognized in me the ever-important skill of being charmingly ratchet (which I believe is a benefit to all of us working in the art department). Read more>>

Chase Alexis | Dancer & Singer

I’ve always known I was meant for a creative career—it’s who I am at my core. From a young age, creativity shaped my identity. I couldn’t sit still; I was constantly dancing to Janet Jackson or singing my heart out to Cheetah Girls songs. My creative vision began long before I could fully grasp what it would mean in adulthood.

Now, at 25 and navigating life as an adult (well, somewhat, lol), I’ve realized how vital it is to stay aligned with that version of myself. Honoring the passions of that little girl keeps me grounded and fulfilled. If I’m not living through her, then I’m not truly living. Creativity and artistic expression are not just what I do—they’re what I am and will always be. Read more>>

Crystal Bernardo | Actor & Media Creator

My mom told me that on the day I was born, her doctor joked about wanting to be my talent manager when I grew up. I feel like the course of my life never strayed far from naturally gravitating toward the idea: singing lessons, Colorguard, making silly YouTube videos, becoming the president of my high school’s Drama Club, writing my own music, executive producing my university’s TV station, graduating film school, and eventually, pursuing acting as a career. My life has never not been about art. Read more>>

Bailey Dahlgren | Artist & Entrepreneur

I distinctly remember being in kindergarten and being asked by my teacher to fill out an info sheet where my classmates and I could then learn a bit more about each other and what our little six year old hopes and dreams were. I wrote ‘Performer’. We were supposed to pin it up on this large, daunting cork board and I remember feeling so nervous to admit that. And about 5 minutes into my answer being on display for the entire classroom, I quickly jumped up with my pencil, crossed out the word ‘Performer’, and put ‘Doctor’. Looking back on that, I laugh because how silly was I not to completely erase it? If I didn’t want anyone to know, why let it sit there as proof that I wanted it, but would instead pretend to dream up something else? That internal debate came up for me multiple times over the next two decades.  Read more>>

Shuiqing Tian | Film Editor & Artist

Stories played a significant role in my formative years. They provided me with an escape from reality. I was told that when I was little, I caused some trouble at home and ended up getting locked in a dark room. After a couple of hours, my family grew worried because I was too quiet, so they checked on me. When they opened the door, I wasn’t scared at all—instead, I was having fun making my hands as characters, playing by myself. Now and then, I’m reminded of that story, and I often feel like I’m still that kid locked in a dark room. Imagining stories and creating fantasies help me get through boring times or sleepless nights. Read more>>

Samina Martens | Film & TV Executive

I think my main inspirations are the stories I love, whether that be novels, films, TV shows, or anything else. I grew up with a love of books, which transitioned into an obsession with movies when I was a bit older. I’m always surprised about the impact of a good story – how it has the power to spark emotion, affect change, or inspire connection. It felt like a natural progression for me to go from consuming stories to helping tell them. Plus, filmmaking is such a collaborative art form. It involves so many different people, each with their own specific skillset and role, coming together to create a piece of art that is larger than the sum of its parts. I’ve always loved the idea of being a small part of that collective creative process. Read more>>

Paul Ingoldsby | Writer

I think being creative is something that’s in the bones of Irish people — to tell stories, to create, to express ourselves is just who we are. I certainly always felt that way, and grew up drawing inspiration from many of the great Irish writers. Though I was also always drawn to the possibilities and freedom of American cinema. Read more>>

Gareen Darakjian | Content Creator and Storyteller

I grew up surrounded by scientists. People who thought deeply and critically about the world around them and questioned and observed and analyzed data to draw conclusions. They always seemed to have an answer to every question and followed established methodologies to guide their discoveries. I knew I was different from a young age. Read more>>

Sarah Cabrera | Actress

When I was a little girl, I saw two movies that changed my life forever; The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Watching Julie Andrews sing and dance and bring joy on the big screen was inspiring and electrifying. I knew instantly that I wanted to have that life, a life full of performance, wonder, and make believe that brings joy and inspiration to others. My dreams quickly took shape and had new purpose. Ever since, I’ve worked very hard to make those dreams come true and I have spent most of my life performing, both on screen and on stage. Read more>> 

Chandra Dyani Chavez | Styling and Costume Design

I decided to pursue a creative career because I saw a job in the arts as the best way to challenge the status quo.

My mother was a bohemian, an artist, a hippie. I grew up moving around a lot, exploring many different lifestyles. We lived in a teepee, on a farm, in a Buddhist Monestary, a commune, and eventually in a condo in the suburbs. Ending up in highschool in Dana Point, a conservative suburban town in Southern California, I felt like a complete outsider. To channel that feeling, I started dressing the part, dying my hair crazy colors, dressing in outlandish clashing patterned vintage clothing, putting stickers and glitter on my face – It was a kind of rebellion that was therapeutic and healthy. Read more>>

Baylee Barton | Photographer

I chose an artistic and creative path because I see art everywhere I look. It’s how I connect with the world—by finding beauty, emotion, and meaning in the everyday and the extraordinary. Photography allows me to capture those moments and deliver them to an audience, offering a window into my perspective while inspiring others to see the world differently. It’s more than a career; it’s a way to express myself and create connections through visual storytelling. Read more>>

Koka Singh Arora | Writer / Director

It’s hard to answer this question because it wasn’t a decision I made later in life, as in, I didn’t leave a career to pursue an artistic one. I sort of always did what felt good or right, conscious and otherwise. (Yes, I was tough to raise and maybe had too much fun as a kid!) So, when I told my parents I wanted to be a filmmaker, their only advice was to be successful and make money.
It was only later in life when I was surrounded by people with traditional nine-to-fives asking me about my “career in the arts” that I realized I had done something that wasn’t conventional. Until then I just figured everyone on the planet watches TV or listens to music. Someones gotta be making those gears turn – what’s so unheard of? And why can’t it be me? Read more>>

Tamar Levy | Makeup Artist

I have loved makeup since a young age and would always do my friends and families makeup. After high school I decided to take a makeup course, which gave me the confidence to work on clients. It’s been a passion of mine since a young age and I’m happy that I get to do what I love and make women feel beautiful, all through expressing art. Read more>>

Nicole Conradt | Chef Nikki LA

To help heal others. My food is an expression of my healing & love. Read more>>

Alina Markeeva | UGC creator

I pursued a creative career because I’ve always been drawn to self-expression and finding unique ways to connect with people. Creativity has been a natural part of who I am, and I enjoy bringing ideas to life through visuals and storytelling. When I discovered UGC, I realized I could combine my passion for creating content with the ability to help brands stand out. It’s incredibly rewarding to turn creative ideas into something impactful, and this career allows me to continuously challenge myself and grow in new directions. Read more>>

Avaryana Rose | Actress & Writer

I pursued an artistic and creative career based on the simple fact that that I’ve always been a performer! I did competitive cheerleading for 10 years, so being on stage in front of crowds was nothing for me. After cheer, I pursued modeling; which led me to acting, and I quickly fell in love (as most do). Nowadays, I’ve also fell in love with writing, so I’m actually in the process of writing my very own movie! Read more>>

Chris Kerrigan | Lead Singer and Sole Member of COMPASSION FATIGUE, Musical Theatre Composer, Podcaster

To be honest, I did everything possible to avoid pursuing one for years. But the art kept on pursuing me, and pretty relentlessly! I was way too self-conscious to ever even identify myself as an “artist” until maybe two or three years ago. When I turned thirty, I got promoted to a full-time position at the nonprofit I worked for (the first real job of my adult life) and so I made this ridiculous grand proclamation that my starving singer/songwriter days were over and I would henceforth be suburban, safe, and serious. After about five years of trying at this, something interesting happened: the songs began to muscle their way out of me. It was like they kicked me in the insides until I wrote them and they assured me that if I didn’t comply they would cause all kinds of problems for me in my life. Read more>>