We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Hannah Eko | Writer, Multimedia Storyteller, Founder of The Lit Club

There’s a question posed by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes who wrote Women Who Run with the Wolves that I love. It’s “Do you love your creative life more than cooperating with your own oppression?” And when I think of the why of my artistic and creative career it is that I love my creative life more than I love cooperating in my own oppression. Read more>>

Yishan Fu | Fashion Designer

Hello, my name is Yishan Nicky Fu. I was born and raised in Taiwan. I like to draw and create beautiful things since I was little, so I naturally went to an art high school. In school, I learned how to use various media and drawing techniques to express my own vision and thoughts, and my favorite media are oil painting and traditional Chinese painting. Read more>> 

Raquel Trujillo | Screenwriter & Actress

I believe I never did. I never made the actual decision to pursue an artistic career because I always thought that was the norm. I unconsciously inherited that desire and passion from my family. They all work in theater. My aunt owns a theater company in Spain and, since she opened it back in 2009, that place has been our life and it has undoubtedly become a source of inspiration and indescribable learning for my career. Read more>>

Bonnie-Jane Major | Multi medium artist

There wasn’t any other option but to become an artist. I fell into it naturally , following the path that led me there, naturally. I always said, “I came from the streets”. No education, no parenting ,no direction and lived in a convent for demolished families for 13 yrs ( 2-15 yrs). When I left the convent I continued to go to school , but I just wasn’t made for it. Read more>>

Patrick McGowan | Actor, Writer, Director, and Acting Coach

There are the reasons I know, the reasons I prefer to think, and the reasons I fear. I know that the plays I did in middle school were the first spaces where I felt like my particular brand of insanity was welcomed, celebrated. Read more>>

James Clements | Actor, Writer, Director and Co-Artistic Director, What Will the Neighbours Say?” Theatre Company”

I became an artist because I didn’t see any other way for me to grapple with the questions the world is asking of me. The questions I pursue in my work are always shifting, but there are certain recurring themes: why do we continue making the same mistakes, falling into the same patterns? Read more>> 

Yijun wang | Director of Photography

I like to use the camera to observe the events and things that happen in and around me in my life, and many ordinary things become alive in the camera. The way in which images are recorded in my life has inspired me in my cinematography. Read more>> 

Brooklyn Van Zandt | musician singer songwriter

My whole life music and performing have been my number one passion. At 8 years old I started writing my own songs and teaching myself piano and guitar. I had the option to pursue many different things but music is what brings me pure joy. I hope that I can inspire and touch people with my music. Read more>>

Dom Betances | Artist Manager, Graphic Designer, & Fandom Aficionado

I chased the creative path because, well, I’m just a die-hard fan at heart. Music has been my compass since day one. While other kids were glued to cartoons after school, I was hooked on TRL and 106 & Park. Then came the High School Musical franchise, and suddenly I was deep into “stan” culture before I even knew it was a thing. Read more>> 

Daniel Matep | Creative Director – Filmmaking and Photography

From a young age, my fascination with movies ignited a deep passion within me for the world of storytelling and creativity. Movies weren’t just entertainment; they were portals to new worlds, avenues of escape during difficult times. The transformative power of film inspired me profoundly, stirring a desire to evoke similar emotions and experiences in others. Read more>> 

You Chen Zhang | Scenic Designer

I don’t know; I am simply following my heart. I’ve explored various career paths, but I felt there needed to be a better fit. While interning at a bank while at business school, I found myself confined to a cubicle, repeating the same daily work. It’s a stable, comfortable career and a well-paid job, but I know I can’t do that; I couldn’t envision spending the next fifty years in that routine. Read more>> 

Eric Huang | Film Composer

I decided to pursue an artistic career because filmmaking and collaboration captivate me. Before I even thought about pursuing a career in film composition, I wanted to be an editor – specifically one who works with CGI and VFX. In middle school, I would gather my friends to create short skits and film and edit them. Read more>>

Ruonan Yang | Multidisciplinary Artist

I am pursuing a career in the arts and creativity because the arts can connect the past, present and future. Art is not only a way to express creativity, but also a means to explore the world and express one’s personal perspectives and emotions. Read more>>

Camille Aragon | Actress, Standup Comedian, and Writer

Thank you for the loaded question! I came into the pursuit of a creative career the long way, but ultimately it was through healing (a lot of!) trauma. As someone who experienced a traumatic sibling loss at a young age, I’ve always been fascinated with the human mind, how we learn, and the ways childhood experiences affect how we become as adults. Read more>>

Blaze, the Rebel | Director, Editor & Rap Artist

I was a young rap artist at the age of 14 when I had commissioned someone to do a music video for me. Long story short, I didn’t like the way they went about business or the creative process and I had told myself “I may not know much about the business, but if this is way things are conducted then I’m going to do it my way.”  Read more>>

Nicole Leier | Filmmaker & Actor

Well for me creativity is the lens through which I view the world. Artistic expression allows me to communicate thoughts and emotions that transcend words, to touch hearts and minds in ways that resonate deeply. Read more>>

Sam Tsui | Musician, Content Creator, Author/Illustrator

[Sam]: My husband Casey and I have both always been artists, whether performing, composing, singing or (for me) painting, so the choice to pursue an artistic career never felt like a difficult one to make. Read more>> 

Virginia Cantaro | FX Artist and Motion Designer

I have always been keen on movies. I started doing my first editing videos when I was a child: I used to grab DVDs of my favorite movies, put them in my computer and start cutting scenes, creating sort of mash-up trailers.  Read more>>

Kay Liu | Experimental Animator

I have always been excited about creating my own stories – I think I’ve always wanted to use art as a form of escapism. There’s something uniquely satisfying about putting your work into the world after putting so much time into it. I find that being able to do every aspect of my art practice myself is intensely rewarding, and I don’t think I can find that kind of excitement with any other career. Read more>>

Alison Rugulo | Textile Design Manager & Creativity Enthusiast

Blame it all on high school yearbook. With the infinite wisdom of a 17 year-old, I thought I’d go into politics—be a lawyer. Luckily my creativity was let loose on an entire book by the best woman I’ve ever known, and it changed everything. Read more>>

Stephen Blickenstaff | Artist/Designer

Ever since I can remember I’ve always loved drawing. I can’t imagine not doing it. It just made sense to make career choices that would enable me to support myself doing what I love to do. Read more>>

Marcella Lewis | Performing Artist, Movement Artist, Choreographer, Teacher, Poet, Assemblage Artist, Jewlery Maker, Performance Curator, Creative Doula and Business Owner

The first thing God did was create. Bringing things into existence is one of the ways that I reflect God. Creation is so natural and instinctive. It’s a prayer and a revelation. It’s a practice of my faith. It’s a way to seek, connect, and be a vessel for God. It allows for my expression, imagination, manifestation, discovery, and understanding of invisible and powerful forces; a way to make the unseen, seen. Read more>>

Huixi Wu | Illustrator & Graphic designer

My passion for art and creativity stems from my mother, who is a Chinese ink painter. Growing up in an artistic environment, I developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of art. This influence has led me to pursue an art career, allowing me to express myself through painting and other creative mediums. Read more>>

Frank Frascella | Writer & Director

This might sound a little existential, but I really do believe storytelling is humanities oldest tradition. It has incredible power – everything in our lives and societies exist in a way because of the stories we’ve been told and the stories we tell each other.  Read more>>

April Liu | Picture Editor

Storytelling is my passion. I believe that stories have the power to inspire and connect people on a deep level. As an editor, I want play a crucial role in shaping these narratives, bringing out the emotional resonance of each scene and ensuring the audience is fully immersed in the story. Read more>>

Siyu Chen | Visual Artist

I think a fundamental aspect of my artistic practice has been the care for the vulnerable moments within human interaction and emotion. I believe in softness as means of resisting the asymmetrical power distributions prevalent in everyday life. While I’ve explored various outlets for expressing this belief, such as designing products and teaching, none of them have felt as genuine and transformative as art. Read more>>

Yusi Liu | film/video game composer

I’ve been drawn to art for as long as I can remember, and I believe it’s in my blood. Both of my grandparents were painters, so I grew up surrounded by their works, which had a profound impact on me. My mom, who is a dancer, also played a significant role in shaping my love for the arts. Read more>> 

Mary Price Moore | Actor

Ha! It was certainly a choice I tried to avoid at first. I was very serious-minded as a young person and although I loved acting, I had no personal role models for a career in the arts. In fact, most of the successful people-of-influence in my circle disparaged any leanings towards the arts. Luckily, the arts kept finding me! Read more>>

Tony Marquez | Filmmaker/Director & DGA Assistant Director

I chose a career in the arts, specifically filmmaking, because I believe in the power of storytelling and the importance of self expression. I thought about the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” and how much could be said through the art of moving pictures. Read more>>

Kristy Mickelsen | Author Advocate Podcast Host & User Created Brand Model

That is a wonderful question. I chose to enter the arts and entertainment world otherwise known as a creative career because I had always dreamed of being a famous author. I used to write fun silly stories in high school for all of my friends. Read more>> 

Toofly | Artist

As a kid who loved to draw and stayed close to art. When it was time to choose a career, I applied to Fashion Industries H.S. Back then, I thought I wanted to be a designer because I loved styling my outfits, it’s what NY 90’s energy was all about. I didn’t like sewing so I switched to art to spend more time drawing and painting. Read more>>

Nikki Apostolidis | Actress

I pursed a career in the arts for the love of storytelling, I’ve always been drawn to the simple yet profound act of sharing stories. Whether through the lens of a camera, or the words on a page, I find a sense of purpose in bringing narratives to life. Read more>> 

Julie Yeo | Fine Artist

There wasn’t ever going to be anything else for me; it has always been art, and it will always be art. When I was younger I played around with the idea of becoming an investigative coroner or a therapist if being an artist didn’t work out for me. Read more>>

Muru Zhou | Concept Artist

My art journey is far from traditional. I pursued disciplines in science and engineering for both my bachelor’s and doctoral degrees. Drawing and doodling have been passions of mine since childhood as a means to express my emotions.  Read more>>

Kirsten Evans | Singer + Composer

I think I probably had two choices when it came to my career; pursue something academic or pursue something creative. I love learning and I love problem solving. It’s such a fantastic feeling to finally find a solution to a problem that has been sending you in circles for days. Read more>>

Javier Aguiluz (Creative Director) & Marcus Abundis (Head of Operations)

Marcus: Graduating from USC, it was an unconventional thing to not go the corporate route and instead pursue a career in the creative side of the fashion industry. I can thank Javier for introducing me to the world of fashion and art, and his constant pursuit of expressing himself artistically has allowed me to understand that it’s more of a lifestyle than merely a career. Read more>>

Joaquim Adrià Pujol | Film maker / fine art photographer

I have always liked making things, the artists temperament is not about being abnormally good at any individual discipline but having the curiosity and drive to teach your self how to do the things that interest you. Read more>> 

Lisanne Messinger | Artist and Hair Colorist

My artistic journey began in the vibrant world of hair color, a passion that still ignites my creativity today. After four decades in the salon industry, I felt a burning desire to translate my expertise into a different canvas – one where color and dimensionality could transcend beyond hair.  Read more>>