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.

Charmaine Olivia | Artist

My aunt taught me how to use oil paints when I was kid and I fell in love with it. I was always drawing and doodling in class, it helped me if I was feeling anxious. I’m an introverted person, and drawing in a sketchbook was something I could do while around other people but still be in my own world. I loved pretending to be a fantasy character from a video game or book, and my art was a way I could create avatars and step in to those shoes. I also just really love colors, and the feeling of getting lost in a painting. It was something I did any chance I had. Read more>>

Faritza Chavarria | Artist & Graphic Designer

I pursued an artistic / creative career because it gives me the ability to be myself and stay true to who I am as a person. I’ve been on this journey for 27+ years. Art and design is a big part of my life it is my purpose and calling. Read more>>

Beccy Riveiro | Musician & Writer

I pursued a creative career in order to be able to continue playing. I have a playful, infantile streak, that likes to be entertained. As adults, we’re supposed to stop playing and focus on work and chores only. Being able to thrive in a creative field allows me to have a playful approach towards my work, while also having an outlet to deal with issues beyond my understanding. I also feel the urge to express myself creatively. Another important aspect is that I want to spread a message, and I feel that for now music is the best tool for me to bring my message across. Read more>>

Ceeluxx | Hip-Hop/R&B artist

Music has always been a passion of mines and an outlet. No matter how I’m feeling there’s always a song to match the mood I was in. Growing up in the church, music has always played a part in my upbringing so I decided to incorporate it. Read more>>

Jason Walsh | Music Producer & Composer

Honestly, nothing else made sense to me growing up. I was so engaged in music and art my whole life that I always assumed I would be making music as my career. As soon as I understood the concept of a job, I would always tell my parents there was no way I could work a ‘normal’ desk job. I grew up participating in music in every way it called to me. By middle school, all my friends were kids who focused on music, starting bands, and going to local shows. I knew that making music with others was where I belonged, and this was the type of work I was passionate about. I started turning my parents’ basement into a practice space and little home studio at 12 to start working with friends, and I never looked back. Read more>>

Susie Luo | Artist

Pursuing a creative career is not just a choice for me—it feels like an inevitable part of my life. First and foremost, I have a deep and genuine passion for art, and I truly enjoy every step of the creative process. Through this process, I embark on a journey of self-discovery, which I find profoundly healing. From a young age, my mind was always filled with wild and imaginative ideas, and art gave me a unique sense of freedom to bring those ideas to life. Read more>>

Sofia D’pols | Singer, Actress and Creative Director

Well, I was born and raised in Chile, a country that isn’t really known internationally for having a focus on artistic ventures but as an insider the story is a little different. Growing up, all around me art could be found, both my parents, my family and most of the people around me had a deep connection with art. Many even having had dreams of being an artist and following that dream for a while before settling for a more economically stable life. Whether it was on the house my dad had designed, the decoration that my mom filled it with, the family gatherings with dramatically acted out stories when they were being told or the car rides accompanied by Cat Stevens, Vicentico, Sandro, Cerati, Pink Floyd and so many other great musicians on full volume, and the unmissable songs being sung by all of us together at the end of a beautiful night with a guitar, it didn’t matter where but art and creativity were always around. Read more>>

Laurie Brazeau | design director….co-owner of Brazeau Tricot

Being creative is the closest relationship between emotion and object. When i see women put on B.T. She feels more confident, more beautiful- that simple act connects me directly to the individual. There is pride and intimacy within the whole experience itself.

Creating is not a choice, rather an effortless, artistic outlet. Read more>>

Edwin Gomez | Independent creative & mentor

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
Growing up in the inner city gave me the opportunity to experience the multiculturalism the city of LA had to offer. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, my family moved from the Aliso Pico projects in Boyle Heights, California, to a home in South Central Los Angeles.
Growing up in a working-class family, I was never formally introduced to the arts. However, as a young boy in the ’90s, I developed a passion for cartoons and comics, which eventually led me to create my own stories filled with the characters I experienced through my home away from home, the inner city.
Having to take the bus to and from school would put me on a long bus ride between South Los Angeles, Downtown LA, and Boyle Heights. Read more>>

Santiago Camarena | Writer – Filmmaker

From an early childhood I’ve been very interested in storytelling and as a I grew older I started to see how stories affect our daily lives and our perception of the world. The very first films I made were stop-motion with MegaBlocks Halo figures and also Lego’s that I had; as time passed and I became more mature I became interested in telling stories with real people and real locations. Read more>>

Breanna Finch | Photographer

At first, I pursued an artistic/creative career because it seemed different and interesting. I didn’t know many people that had artistic/creative careers. As a young teen, I was fascinated with Hollywood and would always watch the award shows and keep up with everything pop culture. I loved it all from Old Hollywood to present day. After graduating from college, I pursued other avenues outside of the film and production world, but always knew I wanted to be creative somehow. That’s how I started pursuing photography while also working my regular job. It’s been a really good balance of two very different realms for me. Read more>>

Olivia Huilin Gao | Production Designer, Art Director & Film Director

“You can only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough.”

I scribbled this quote on my middle school desk, believing in it wholeheartedly. At the time, I was consumed by the idea of living every step of my life perfectly, convinced that getting it “right” was the key to fulfillment. But with that belief came an endless loop of anxiety and self-doubt as I wrestled with the eternal question: How do I live my life right? Read more>>

Misha Elle | Nail Artist

When I was young, I actually wanted to pursue art and go to an art school for college but growing up in an Asian immigrant household as a 1st generation Asian-American, the expectations were either doctor, engineer, or lawyer so I had to compromise and… went to school for engineering lol. The artistic and creative dreams I teased in my head pretty much came to a full stop after high school and the new path for the rest of my life was to get good grades, graduate, get a good job, climb the corporate ladder, build up my 401k, and retire happily pursuing and achieving the “American Dream”. I was steadily following that path until something I never would have thought of came along- nails. Read more>> 

Miguel Lopez De Leon | Filmmaker & Novelist

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated by stories and storytelling. When I was a child, I obsessively escaped into cartoons, television shows, films, comic books and fantasy books, so when I grew up, it felt natural for me to pursue a career as a storyteller. Read more>>

Caio Willem | Songwriter & Actor

Music was my first love. It has always been a vital part of my life and it’s been there for as long as I can remember. I didn’t come from a family of musicians, so I don’t know when or why I picked it up, but I remember songwriting was and still is one of my favorite things to do. I used to treat it as this super important and untouchable thing, only reserved for special moments or feelings, but nowadays it has grown into a full hobby for me – which it makes sense, because a hobby is something you do for the simple pleasure of it. Some people play video games, some people play soccer on the weekends, and I write songs. It’s not only a fun activity but it’s also extremely therapeutic. So naturally, pursuing an artistic path just happened naturally. Read more>>

Dreama (simeng) Lin | Architectural & Interior Designer

I chose a creative career because I’ve always been fascinated by how design can shape the way people experience the world. Growing up in Shanghai, I was surrounded by a mix of old and new architecture that made me wonder how spaces could feel both meaningful and innovative at the same time. That curiosity stuck with me. Read more>>