Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Grady Pruitt | Stand Up Comic

I’ve always been a huge fan of stand up comedy. I knew that’s what I wanted to do for a living since high school. I was an average student, I loved sports but I wasn’t good enough to play in college. I struggled with every job I’ve ever had. I did stand up for the first time the summer after my sophomore year in college. I loved it immediately and did not to go back for my junior year. I made a decision that I would deal with the consequences of pursuing an unstable career that I love and am passionate about Read more>>

Sean Szatkowski | Actor, Comic, Producer

Experiencing extreme levels of bullying required me to develop a sense of humor & romanticize my own life through reading books, watching movies and television, music, and comedy. Being highly in-tune with my emotions allowed me to immerse myself into characters. The aim being to put love and kindness back into the world; and to create a space for others who are growing up like I did or simply did grow up as I did as a place to escape, take a break from the world, and with those in mind and those not mentioned to further put empathy out there, give perspective to those struggling and tossed aside. A call to action for a more gentle world, filled with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Read more>>

Daniel Abramovici | I am currently a Co Executive producer

I embarked on a creative career because it felt like the most natural path from my early days. While I had various interests as a youngster, the act of crafting imagery always took precedence. Despite the uncertainty of which specific direction to pursue, I held onto an open-minded approach. This adaptability has been a fundamental aspect of my creative journey. Over the years, I’ve ventured into diverse roles within the entertainment industry, spanning animation, technical direction, layout artistry, compositing, stereography, and even delving into the realm of VR development. I’ve also had the privilege of forming and overseeing multiple teams in the animation and film sectors, underscoring the importance of adaptability and an open-minded ethos in a creative career. Amid all of this, I’ve made sure to sustain my personal painting projects, continuously exploring my unique aesthetic. Read more>>

Cedric Christophorus | Filmmaker and Media Educator

Artistic storytelling has always been a passion of mine since I was little. From creating skits during lunch breaks in primary school to actually crafting my first short film in a Bahasa Indonesia class, I have always loved the power of stories and have been deeply moved by it. Art is a profound and vulnerable medium that teaches people empathy; it allows us to truly see things from another person’s point of view. Now that I am working inside the industry, I’ve always found the ability to see firsthand a plethora of perspectives to be beautiful and rewarding. Read more>>

Laura Macy | Dancer, Pianist & Model

I was actually very academic in school and enjoyed most subjects, so I found it difficult to decide what I wanted to pursue as a career! I’m very lucky to have parents who supported whatever decision I made, and they simply told me to do whatever I enjoyed, because life is too short to spend it working in a job you hate. My parents both work in the arts themselves, so my decision was probably influenced by seeing how much they love what they do. I remember my teachers getting frustrated with me for choosing dance and music over something academic like maths or science. I knew a career in the arts wasn’t going to be easy, but in my head if I didn’t at least try I knew that I would always regret it, and I hoped that if I worked hard enough I could make it happen. Read more>>

Farnaz Tabatabaee | Film Composer & Pianist

I chose an artistic and creative career because it’s limitless and I simply love it. Composing allows me to experiment with different eras and emotions, and it’s not just a job—it’s therapeutic for me. Composition has cured me, and now I see myself as a healer who makes the world hear her voice via her compositions; to communicate the message that in love, pain, and sorrow, we are all the same. We are a single entity. We are able to empathise with one another. One individual from a completely different culture on the other side of the world can cry, laugh, and experience love to a fantastic combination of music and film. We invite them to cry or laugh. And this entails recovery. I can infuse soul into films by acting as the narrator of many stories that exist within people’s hearts and souls. Read more>>

Roger Lee | Cinematographer, Visual Artist

My love for art started off with comic books as a kid. I wanted to be the next Jim Lee (as did many Korean American comic book fans of those days). As I got older, many different twists and turns in my life led me to the Graphic Design field. I ended up becoming a graphic designer, working for UCLA External Affairs. I worked my way up from a Jr. Designer to Senior Designer through the years but my role has morphed into an all-around visual artist, combining my photography, videography and design experience. The benefit to this position is that I work a standard 40 hour week which allows me plenty of free time to work on my passion projects such as filmmaking. Read more>>

Distant Cowboy | Music Artist

My parents both are involved in music. They actually met at a fiddle contest where my father accompanied my mother (who plays fiddle) on guitar. You could say that I was exposed at a young age to bluegrass music and also my mother was teaching violin lessons at home so I was surrounded by sound. I have been drawn to many different professions but in a way I feel like I was raised to play. My grandfather also used to play clarinet and have his own big band in Wyoming that travelled. Recently I have been finding purpose in writing songs that tell a story and hopefully listeners can connect to. My goal as an artist now is to connect people back to themselves and if someone comes up to me after a show and mentions, “I had forgotten what it was like to be still and have an open heart” that gives me fulfillment. Read more>>

Anastasia Fuller | Artist

As a young girl I was very shy and soft spoken. No one could ever hear me. My sketchbook felt like the one place I could be heard. I carry that with me to this day. Though I have learned to express and communicate vocally, I still find that creating art is when I feel most like myself. Most seen and most heard. Art can be extravagant, simple, elegant, seductive, detailed or colorful. Art can be painting, singing, dancing, writing…I think what I love most is, it that it can be whatever you want it to be. No matter what you create, if it comes from within, it is beauty in its purest form. For me, my paintbrush is that pure form of self expression. And what is life if not to spend each day doing what makes you happy. Read more>>

April Garcia | Twinpalms health and beauty Owner LMT

I have a fun flexible schedule daily. Everyday is different from clients to modalities that I use for each session. I walk in my shop with an instant breath of gratitude. I am a people person getting to know someone fills my heart that’s why my clients turn into instant friends. Owning my shop gives me the opportunity to design with fun, warm colors much like my personality. Being my own boss gives me freedom to say yes or no and that’s powerful. Read more>>

Andrew Introna | Illustrator

I pursued an artistic career because I wanted to do what makes me happy. I couldn’t picture myself in a career that didn’t allow me to collaborate and express myself with a community of people. Art allows me to be part of something bigger than myself and share my interests with a community of people who have similar passions. Read more>>

Percy Brown | Actor, Content Creator and Podcast Host

Before I made this a career, it started off as a hobby and experience that I never expected. Growing up as a kid, I was shy, didn’t want to be center of attention, but I was also curious. That curiosity led me to trying new things and going out my comfort zone. My first ever performance was a solo dance performance for Missy Elliot’s song Lose Control at my local community center’s Talent Show when I was in Elementary School. The reception after by fellow performers and the audience, that feeling of entertaining and how fun it was got me motivated to continue. Although dancing was my first performance art, Acting became my number one focus when I became infatuated with it after watching DIsney Channel shows such as Suite Life of Zack and Cody and got to study and learn the art, performing around NYC and at my High School. Read more>>

UDAAN | Music Producer, Composer, Singer, Songwriter

I have always loved music! I’m fortunate enough to have received training in various musical forms from an early age. I took lessons singing Carnatic music (Indian Classical music) and playing Western Classical piano. I also played French Horn in school for about 8 years. When I was a senior in high school I composed a piece for my school’s Concert Band and conducted them in a live performance! The thrill and joy of hearing your ideas come to life is such an amazing feeling – from that moment onwards I knew I wanted to make music professionally. In college I joined a couple a cappella teams (Shoutout to Purdue Taal and Georgia Tech Taal Tadka!) Read more>>

Jon Dannelley | Actor/Stuntman/Writer

I grew up in a very small town outside of Mobile, Alabama. I knew I wanted to be an actor at a very early age in life. But being in such a small town, there wasn’t really much opportunity around at the time for me to pursue that. I remember watching Tom Cruise in Top Gun and new instantly that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to make other people feel what he made me feel when watching his film. Right after high school I went to work for my father as welder at his boat propeller shop. I would travel to different shipyards around the country and fix the broken blades on the huge propellers on the back of the ships. I remember being under this huge ship one night in the pouring rain. I was so cold and drenched with a flame torch in my hand and had finally had enough. Read more>>

Roniit | Artist, songwriter, and producer

Music has been in me since I was 5 years old and started taking piano lessons but I never viewed it as a career option until later in life when I got deeply into death metal. Metal really inspired me to start my own band and try to book shows, but when my band fell apart I decided I didn’t want to rely on anyone. I started my own solo venture in 2011 and have put almost all of my energy into that since. Over the years I’ve tried out different jobs and side hustles and always end in the same place – frustrated that I’m unable to focus on my creative endeavors. I’ve worked really hard to get to a place where I can just solely focus on my music and I can’t imagine it any other way. Read more>>

Mingde Shao | Illustrator

I think I have my own persistence and pursuit of beautiful things or special visual experiences. For example, I feel mentally happy when I see beautiful graphics or compositions, so engaging in creation actually helps me satisfy my pursuit of beautiful visuals. I want my designs and illustrations could make other people feel happy, so I need to make sure they move me first. Read more>>

Giovanna Bartoli | Creative, Artist, Passionate.

My choice to pursue an artistic career has been driven by the profound connection I’ve always had with art and the need to express my inner world through creativity. I find inspiration in every corner of life and aim to convey complex emotions and abstract concepts through my work. Creating art is a process that nurtures me and allows me to explore the depths of my soul. Every brushstroke or stroke is a form of communication that goes beyond words, a way to share experiences, reflections, and unique visions. I am committed to challenging myself, seeking new perspectives, and pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. Read more>>