We regularly ask our interviewees what makes them happy because at the end of the day, what else really matters? We’ve highlighted some of the responses below.

Qingru Yang | Illustrator

When I’m in my room, listening to music and drawing, or relaxing with a TV show, I find myself truly happy. The reason is simple: in these moments, there are no external distractions or looming deadlines. My drawing during these times is purely for my own enjoyment—no expectations, no pressure—just creating whatever I feel like. Read more>>

Angélique Glennon | Artist

Having lots of ideas is one part of what makes me happy. The other part is being able to bring those ideas to life and share them. When I first started making jewelry, it was challenging because my designs and materials were different from what you would typically see. I used things such as guitar strings, phone wires, and tulle. One problem was that these materials didn’t give me the results I had imagined. Read more>>

Aaron Myers | Filmmaker and Electronic Music Producer

I love this question! I am a pretty optimistic person I find joy in many things. Waking up, having a loving family, amazing friends. It’s really hard to narrow down one thing that makes me happy. However, if I had to choose just one I would say being myself. I’ve had a long winding adventure to become the person I am today. Read more>> 

Luz Ozuna | Actress

Spending time with the people I love makes me happy. Time is so fleeting and life moves so fast that time with your loved ones is priceless. Read more>>

Blake Shields Abramovitz | Writer, actor, singer, yoga and meditation teacher

I think there are different kinds of happiness. When things go well financially or in terms of career, for example, most people feel a certain triumphant personal joy, and I’m no different. Then there’s the safety and love fostered by intimate human connections, not at all an identical experience. Both subjectively and neurobiologically, these are distinct feeling patterns and brain states. Read more>>

Santiago Forero | 3D Environment Artist

I love revisiting the films and games from my childhood that shaped who I am today—they remind me why I chose to pursue art as a career. I also find immense joy in seeing the incredible work of other CG artists, especially the friends I’ve made at my school, Gnomon. Watching them share their passions and succeed in their careers is truly inspiring and exciting for me. Read more>>

Arnoldo Torres | Bilingual Recording Artist, Songwriter & Entertainer

Making others happy. Makes me feel accomplished. I’ve always felt my purpose is bigger than me. Read more>>

Spaghetti Tsunami | queer painter cutie

Plants make me happy. I feel gratitude when I can grow a plant myself through propagation or if I can save a plant that isn’t looking too healthy. My mom, who passed away in 2019, always kept plants in our home. From my childhood, I cannot remember a time that there were no plants at home. When she died, I inherited about 10 potted plants — a few of which were my age or older. I had no idea how to keep them going, and I realized in that time that I had not paid enough attention to the plants I saw everyday. Read more>>

Brad Bernhardt

Happiness is a hard thing to put into words. A lot of it comes from pretty everyday stuff like my relationship. friends, family, basketball, and my dog. A big chunk of it comes through painting, it’s my favorite thing to do. I really love wrestling with an idea in the studio, figuring out the best way to convey that idea, and then executing it in my voice where it hits. Read more>>

Kendall Rhode

The people in my life make me happy. The people I have known since I was born. The people I have met growing into an adult. The friends and family of the people I know. Surrounding myself with uplifting, insightful and caring people have made me extra happy during the greatest moments, and have comforted me during life’s tougher, sadder moments. Read more>>