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.

Kelly Good | Fitness Professional/Competitor & Model, Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Singer/Songwriter, Dancer and Actress

I started dance when I was 3 years old and I fell in love with everything about it. It helped me process the world around me, and gave me a place to put all the emotions, feelings and thoughts I had. And all without having to say a word. It was my everything, all I wanted to do with my days, was to sing and dance. See, I grew up poor. Both my parents worked very hard and I learned from them, from a young age that if I wanted anything in life I would have to go out into the world and get it. That no one was coming to save me or put the work in for me. I learned I had to risk the life I had for the one I wanted, learn to use my talents and work hard towards making them better. Read more>>

Shanice Farrugia | Visual Artist

My artistic journey began with a passion for art that ignited in my early years. I found solace in sketching and painting, using art as a medium to express my emotions, thoughts, and observations in ways that words couldn’t adequately capture. My family recognized my early artistic fervor and became aware of my deep-seated passion for art. During my teenage years, I found myself assuring them that a career in the arts could be not only stable but also profoundly fulfilling. My educational pursuits further solidified my commitment to the arts. Completing an Advanced Diploma in Art and Design and a 1st Class B.A. (Hons) in Fine Art at MCAST’s Institute for the Creative Arts in Mosta, Malta, provided me with a solid foundation in art theory and practice. Read more>>

Daniel Lowry | Film Composer, Guitarist, and Instructor

Well I think it’s impossible to answer that question without first mentioning the role my parents played in introducing me to music. Both my parents were trumpet players who both encouraged me to start playing trumpet at a young age. When I insisted that I start on guitar instead they were both very supportive and saw that I pursue it to the fullest. For them they saw music as an extension of my education. Having that sort of support made pursuing music almost easy (almost). Growing up music served as a foundational part of my identity. All my friends I met through school music programs. When we wanted to hang out we either would listen to new albums, watch the latest released music videos, go to concerts or even have jam sessions. Music was ever present. Read more>>

Liz Marx | Artist

I do not think I had a choice… I have always been an artist and my mind is always in a state of visual creativity. I believe myself to be a kind of visual transcendentalist. The creative process is basically woven into my being. Therefore, I do not recall a time when I seriously considered doing anything other than the pursuit of an artistic career. Even in times of lean finances when it occurred to me that I ought to get up from the gambling table… I knew it was impossible to walk away from being a creative. Read more>>

Andrew Asemokai | Film Composer

Pursuing an artistic/creative career is something I had to try, or I knew I would regret forever. My undergraduate degree is in biology, and during that time all I could think and dream about was writing music. I loved film music and craved it. I was told that you can be whatever you want to be as long as you put your mind to it, and even though the pursuit of being a film composer is one of the scariest thoughts I’ve ever had, I knew I had to try. Read more>>

Bella Cardim | Visual Artist

I pursued an artistic career because it allowed me to confront and navigate my journey and challenges. My art has become an instrument for self-exploration and a bridge to others with similar trajectories. It has led me to a deeper understanding of my limitations and revealed alternate perspectives on nourishment. My journey into the world of art began in college when I took my first photography class in the late 90’s. Photography became a powerful tool to tell my stories, express my emotions, and connect with my past while shaping my future. Initially, I was drawn to various subjects, including landscapes, architecture, still life, fashion, and portraits. Read more>>

Fleur Spolidor | Visual artist

I decided to become an artist because artists and creatives have a superpower: they can influence and impact society through their work. Through their artistic efforts, they can spark thoughts, challenge the status quo, or inspire change. Through artistic expressions such as painting, sculpture, literature, music or cinema, artists can comment on social issues, advocate for change, celebrate and preserve traditions or propose a vision of the future . Art can capture the essence of a society’s identity, history and collective memory. But what I like most is that art can foster dialogue, bridge gaps and create connections between diverse individuals and communities within a society. Read more>>

CRIDAIGLE (Christine Daigle) | Artist – The vital interconnection of colors

It seems as though my artistic career chose me and not the other way around. I was in São Paulo Brazil on a business trip (in my past career) and from the very moment I stepped out of that airport. I was speechless and remember feeling in awe in front of the gigantic green leaves perched up on those Amazonian trees/plants. Without realizing it at the time, that specific green reconnected me to the green canvas sneakers I loved and so proudly wore at elementary school. That green color I was witnessing before my eyes brought me back to that moment, that age before external toxins start pouring in, that state when you are fully content and happy with who you are and really living in the moment. Read more>>

Andrew Nunez | Artist & Creative Director

I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career simply because of my love for art. In undergrad, i studied art alongside my peers and nothing else had really fulfilled me in that particular way. Being able to create for the sake of self expression has always been something that has intrigued me. That being said, i think my love for art has evolved as i am now choosing makeup as my main medium. I truly appreciate the idea of conceiving and idea that will then translate onto a physical form. I believe that that’s why i love makeup so much. It really allows me to make things unconditionally. Read more>>

John Piccarreto | Actor, Producer, Site Location Director and Creative Marketer

In my past life, my career was in marketing and sales. I had a very successful career working for both Eastman Kodak and international paper spanning thirty years between the two companies. While on vacation in 1987 I believe, we were leaving Universal Studios after spending the day on tour there and when exiting the park, I was approached and asked to come for a screen test for a new pilot sitcom. After discussing the details for this pilot called “My Two Dads” I was reluctant due to my scheduling. My daughter was 6 months old and we had left her in Arizona with my in-laws while we took our 4 year old son to Disney and Universal. I was told by the scout that I would need to be at the screen test at 7 :30 am the next morning. Read more>>

Batu Ertas | DJ/Producer/Digger/Label Head

I pursued on an artistic career with the primary motivation of offering people an escape from the challenges of life through the expression of my sound. Music, being a universal language, holds the power to unite us all. Witnessing the impact of my work on individuals and observing the emotions reflected on people’s faces post-event or release serves as a profound source of inspiration. The gratification derived from connecting with others through my artistic endeavors is, without a doubt, the most significant reward for both musicians and artists alike. Read more>>

Issy | Singer & Songwriter

Ever since I was a little kid, I always knew I wanted to inspire others. As a person of color, finding spaces where I can share my thoughts and ideas is sometimes difficult. Music was where I finally felt I could share anything I wanted and people would listen. When I realized that music gave unifying and interactive experiences to those who would listen, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I use my music to inspire others and to have people feel emotions that they might be too scared to address out loud. I want to inspire others to change what the status quo is. Whether I’m covering a song of another artist or making one for my band, I try to make my sound as authentic as possible so that it can inspire others to think outside the box. That is why I love doing what I do. Read more>>

Roxy Morataya | Freelance Graphic Designer & Illustrator

I grew up having difficulties making friends. I suspect it was due to being undiagnosed as autistic or some form of neurodivergence, and growing up in Santa Monica, CA. It was safe and “diverse” beach town, but the environment just always seemed to not embrace that diversity past a certain depth. My tendency to express my emotions very strongly (what could be described as temper tantrums) and asking a lot of questions, didn’t make me palatable to be around. So, my solace from being shunned and bullied was drawing and coloring. And when my third grade class learned about famous artists like Pablo Picasso, that’s when I made up my mind to work towards becoming an artist when I grew up. Read more>>

Andy Spring | Substitute Teacher / Event Server – Writer/Actor

A year-and-a-half ago I was working in a corporate hotel, going through the motions, stuck in a job that felt like a dead-end. It wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life. While working at the hotel, I had the good fortune to interact with a film cast and crew that was staying at the hotel in my hometown. I started talking to the various cast and crew, and it dawned upon me, maybe something clicked: this could be me. I could BE one of these people. So, I took a Screenwriting class at the local community college in my area, then another; I had seemingly caught the creative bug. I applied to grad school and for a whole year I studied Screenwriting and Acting at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory (LAPAC). Read more>>

Haoyue Yang | Film editor

The fascination for me in editing lies in how it allows a good story to be presented more completely, sometimes even altering its course and outcome. Certainly, directors’ vision and the production set the upper limit for the film, but through editing, surprising results can arise. It’s like different chefs cooking the same dish; each creates a unique flavor. Similarly, different editors working on the same footage create distinct stories. There’s no right or wrong in editing, but how to make that dish more delectable is a every editor’s pursuit of art. If through my editing, audiences can feel the twist and turn, laughing or crying for it, then that sense of achievement is what I strive for. Read more>>

Donna Maine | Comedian and Writer

It’s my passion! Since I was a child, I’ve always been involved in creative pursuits usually centered around comedy and music. When raising my kids working as a nurse, I always also had to be involved in artistic endeavors; it’s in my soul, that’s how I survived. Humor is my #1 coping mechanism. It keeps me going! Read more>>

Andy Zaldivar | Actor/Ambassador

I’ve always had a fascination with the arts. Since I was a young kid, I loved music, movies, television shows, live plays, poetry, paintings, etc…With that being said, I naturally gravitated towards acting. My curiosity grew and grew, so in college I decided to take an acting course and it was everything I expected it to be. It only heightened my love for it. There’s just nothing like performing in front of an audience and taking that audience on a journey of emotion and sparking their imagination. Read more>>

James Nield | Cinematographer

In the formative years of my education, traditional subjects failed to capture my interest, resulting in academic challenges. However, a pivotal shift occurred during middle school when I stumbled upon the realms of theatre and media studies. This discovery ignited a passion for the creative field, transforming my academic trajectory and allowing me to excel in areas that resonated with my innate interests. The spark for filmmaking had been kindled early on, thanks to my parents’ frequent trips to the theatre during my childhood. My fascination with the magic of cinema only intensified as I began watching films nightly on my laptop before bed. Following my formal education, I sought to explore my newfound passion, leading me to intern at a production house. Read more>>

William Liermann | Metal Drummer and Professional Dog Bather

My whole life, from the first time I heard music I liked, I knew I wanted to be a musician. As much as I could comprehend at such a young age anyway. When I was 5, my dad is actually the first one to put drumsticks in my hands, and headphones over my ears.. I was addicted right away. In 6th grade I started school band, and stayed in the program until my 2nd year of college. It’s definitely been a huge part of my life, and is in my blood. It’s been a semi-fulfilled lifelong dream. Read more>>

Sue Ellen Zhang | Artist

During my senior year of college, the pressure of graduation and the daunting apprehension of entering the real world caused my insides to boil. My family viewed my major (Linguistics & Psychology) as a dead-end for finding a job, and constantly pushed their ideas of successful careers. But nothing appealed to me and I had no idea what I wanted to do. A few months before graduation, I had a psoriasis onset. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation on the skin with red scaly patches. I watched my mother battle this chronic disease my whole life and I was terrified to see it appear all over my own skin. Read more>>

Christabelle Garcia | Equestrian, Singer & Music empowerment teacher

I grew up having a passion for the performing arts and have gotten many opportunities to perform on stage and even be a background actress. I am pursuing a career in the performing arts because I believe there is a power in music and horseback riding. The Hispanic culture is so rich that needs to be taught to future generations to keep our traditions alive. I enjoy singing, So my future project is to open an academy where we can teach the skills for vaqueros(as) to find the blend in music and horseback riding. Many people don’t know much about the cultural aspect of Mexican charros (as) or what an escarmuza even is. I am very proud to be a Latina and share my cultural traditions with others. Read more>>

Jarom Unga | Musician & Co Founder of Still In Motion

I enjoy making art that people can enjoy and it’s my outlet, my safe space. My music is a reflection of my life, my emotions, my experiences, and my thought process. It’s my therapy, a way to express myself freely in any way I want to, and people being able to resonate with my music is the reason I continue to make it. The further along I got into my career, the more I started to realize that I didn’t value the fame or the money as much as I thought I did or would. I became more sacred with my music. Instead of creating music for the audience, I create for myself. For my own personal growth. Read more>>