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.

Mandy Coppes-Martin

Why I Make

In truth, it pursued me.

After earning a Master’s in Fine Art, I worked in the sustainable development, research, and education sector in South Africa. I travelled throughout Southern Africa researching different plant fibres and teaching hand papermaking. In hindsight, those early years laid the groundwork and equipped me with the knowledge and perspective that now shapes my practice as a fibre and textile artist. Read More>> 

Jay Alexis

As an artist, I truly can’t imagine doing anything other than creating. Whether it was during my time as a Fashion Publicist—where I curated everything from Fashion Week runway shows to exclusive VIP parties and brand launches—or now, as I step into the world of music, creativity has always been at the core of who I am. Read More>>

Claire Selinske

Growing up, my mother worked at Paramount Studios, where she managed the facilities in the early 2000s. As a child I would often go with her to work on days I had off from school or was “sick”. While there, I was exposed to art in many different forms, from movie posters, to set designs, and everything in-between. My creative curiosity started then and has never stopped. I have always had art as a tool to express myself and when it came time to decide on a career, I chose a path that would be fulfilling and foster my creativity. Read More>>

Edward Underhill

I like to say it’s because I grew up in a suburb of Wisconsin, and I couldn’t walk to anything, so I had to make up my own adventures. But honestly, I just love stories. I love escaping my own life and living in made-up worlds. It’s what drew me to writing and to composing, and I’ve worked professionally in both fields. As a composer, I got into writing music for TV shows, which basically let me escape into someone else’s story and add an important emotional element to it. I started pursuing that career first. Read More>>

Yvana Thompson

I pursued a creative career because I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of artistry, healing, and human connection. Skincare and holistic wellness are deeply creative fields—every treatment is a hands-on, personalized experience that requires both technical skill and intuition. My journey began with holistic health, all of which require a creative mindset—whether I’m crafting treatment plans, designing events, curating retail experiences, or mentoring a team. Read More>>

Carlos Santa Cruz

it just feels natural. I’ve always been very expressive growing up, but I never knew how to channel it in the right way. As I got older, I got a better idea of where I could go with creating art. It was just a matter of putting myself out there and honing my skills. I never took any art classes, but I was so fascinated by creating that I sat myself down and learned everything on my own. I just feel like this is what I am meant to do in this lifetime. For myself and everyone I cross paths with. Read More>>

MJ Golzari

For me, pursuing an artistic career is like leaving a part of yourself in history. Long after you’re gone, the work you’ve created continues to live, perhaps even outlasting you. There’s something profoundly beautiful in bringing to life something that once existed only in the mind of an artist. It’s a process of turning imagination into emotion, story, and image, forms that can forge deep, universal connections between human beings. Read More>>

Jonas Feind

I have this vague memory of being a small child, sitting in front of the TV and watching some silly kids’ show. And I remember asking my parents how it was possible that we are simply allowed to observe other people’s private lives. Once they explained to me what ‘acting’ was, I was completely fascinated with it; as a concept and as a possible career. Read More>>

Olivia Nelson

I got into this career because I love creating, connecting, and, honestly, having fun. Whether I’m acting or modeling, I’m in my element when I get to play, try new things, and be a part of something bigger than myself. It keeps me curious, keeps me growing, and never really feels like work. I also love meeting new people all the time. I meet such amazing, creative poeple. Getting to build relationships with others and make people smile is what I love most. I want my life to be as fun and fulfilling as it can possibly be.  Read More>>

Katharine Gould

As a young child color was like food for me, bolts of fabric, bouquets of flowers nurtured me more than my lunch box. My training began at age 17 when I spent 5 years in studio and academic classes, receiving a combined BFA in sculpture and painting from the University of Chicago and the Art institute of Chicago. Shortly after, I earned an MFA from the University of Chicago and proceeded to teach art history in their extension program and sculpture at the university’s midway studios. Read More>>

Beau ‘Dacious

I knew from a young age that the arts was where my passions lied. I was into so many things; pop music, theater, musicals, dance, makeup, modeling, rapping. I was born to entertain. It wasn’t until I discovered drag at the tender age of 16 that I knew I had finally found something that combines all of my interests into one. So, I ultimately decided to pursue it and have never looked back. Read More>>

Megan Kenney

I’ve always been drawn to creative work that’s a little unexpected—something that turns heads. The bagpipes are hard to ignore and I’ve always been drawn to them. They’re bold, full of emotion, and slightly unhinged, which honestly feels like a good metaphor for being an artist. Read More>>

Leila Addams

Pursing an artistic and creative career was all I ever wanted. I knew intuitively as a child that I wanted to pursue music and performing arts. As I developed throughout my years, my passion and intense desire for creating music and performing never left me. I took every opportunity I could in order to create in a studio or perform on a stage. Even when I had dedicated much time and effort into an education in psychology, and eventually a full time career in the field, I was never truly fulfilled or satisfied. Read More>>

Andre (The D.R.E.)

Honestly, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve always pursued the arts since I was a kid – starting to play the drums at 8 years old, writing and performing in a skit for my Sunday school at church (which was AWFUL), and making my own short films in high school. Read More>>

Monet Jackson

I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career path because in my perspective life is all about love and communication! Creating for me is genuinely my passion and a heavy part of my purpose.. it’s the space in which I am the most pure, innocent, genuine, intentional, and loving… it’s a space that I feel pure bliss, joy and freedom with no conditions… I’m also able to communicate through art emotions and concepts that I typically don’t know how to put in words at times…  Read More>>

Jamie Wood & Nutty Brown

For each of us, there was nothing else that made sense. For me, it started while listening to gospel music in the black churches in the South where I was raised. Martin Gagnon (aka Nutty Brown), was raised in a small village in the Provence of Quebec, where music became his passion. When my family moved to California, I began playing guitar and singing in folk groups up and down the California coast. I later formed a blues band called the Roadhouse Rockets. Read More>>

Gianna Micalizzi

I compare the need for art in my life to the need for oxygen, I simply cannot exist without it. It is so clear that the art of dance completely consumes who I am, and I am so deeply grateful to be able to call such a powerful creative outlet my profession. I was very close to pursuing a career in the medical field and even got my nursing assistant license, but I knew in my heart that I would never forgive myself if I didn’t choose my passion for dance. Half of my time was (and still is) spent fantasizing about the stage and the other half spent training for it. It was truly an innate sense of knowing that this is what I was meant to dedicate my career and ultimately my life to. Read More>>

Styles Osunde