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.

Sj Hodges

I grew up in WV and was raised by a very religious family in a fundamentalist, country church. So I was the crazy, artistic, black sheep of the family, always shaving my head or declaring I was a Buddhist or something that made everyone nuts. I knew, by the time I was five years old, I had to get out of there. Read More>>

Peter Jang

I pursue an artistic and creative career because storytelling has always been a powerful way for me to connect with people on a deeper level. Through acting, directing, and writing, I can explore complex emotions, challenge perspectives, and shed light on important topics like mental health and human resilience. My background in martial arts and stunt work gave me a strong foundation for dynamic physical expression, but it’s the emotional and psychological depth of characters and narratives that truly inspire me to create. Read More>>

Kanisha Williams

I’ve always wanted to do something I’d enjoy for the rest of my life, and I’ve found that my creative endeavors were something I never got tired of. I’ve loved fashion for as long as I could remember and something told me that I’d do something in that field. Read More>>

Liang Dong

In my view, art is a way to express my thoughts through my artistic form and creations, allowing me to explore the world and my own life. Through this form, I want my audience to understand the emotions and feelings I wish to convey, enabling them to empathize and form a deeper connection with both the world and the artist. This is the reason why I love art and choose to pursue it as a career. When you look at a piece of art and feel the emotions the artist wants to express, experiencing that resonance—it’s pretty cool, isn’t it? Read More>>

Alfonsina Torrealba

I am an orchestral conductor, and although many things caught my attention as I grew up and chose my path, the music came to stay. Music manages to express that reality that surrounds us – as a society and as individuals – and that is exceeded by words, but that is revealed to us through music. It is our duty as musicians to bring this way of making art to the last corner of the earth. Read More>>

Kaloust Guedel

Growing up in an artistic family, I was constantly immersed in creativity, which naturally shaped my path. Art became the only way for me to feel complete and fulfilled in my life. For me, it’s always been about finding out who I am, communicating my inner world, and making connections—first with myself, and then with others. The creative process has been my way of exploring not just the world around me but also my own place within it. Read More>>

Tianzhi Duan

I pursued a creative career because I’m driven by the desire to create something new—something that people have never seen before. There’s a unique thrill in bringing fresh ideas to life and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I’ve always felt a strong urge to express my vision and my understanding of the world, and art provides a platform for that expression. Through my work, I aim to not just share a story, but to communicate the emotions, themes, and nuances that shape my perspective on life. Read More>>

Ruiting (tina) Guo

I became serious about my passion for art around the age of 13. I grew up watching a lot of animation, partly to improve my English, but it ended up having the wonderful side effect of introducing me to the magical world of art. I realized that art holds immense power in the intangible and profound truth behind the fantastical. Children grow up with picture books and cartoons, and the art they consume subtly yet powerfully shapes their opinions, values, and worldview, potentially influencing the person they become. Read More>>

 Jessica Coro

For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to anything creative. I started drawing and painting at a very young age. I loved music, which led me to learn how to play instruments—specifically the piano, guitar, and bass. I also loved arts and crafts and even learned how to make jewelry in high school. There were so many things that called to me, and I loved creating. Read More>>

Dee Simone

I chose to have an artistic career because of the influence of my family. Music has always been in my house hold since I was a baby. I grew up listening to artist like John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Beatles, Funkadelic, Miles Davis, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Richard Smallwood and many more. Read More>>

Michael Coley

In the beginning, I was a quiet child who struggled to share my emotions and feelings with others. However, acting became my outlet—a space where I could express myself freely and fully. Through performing, I found a deep connection to my emotions, making acting not just a passion but also a form of therapy. It allows me the freedom to release everything I feel without hesitation. I am committed to pursuing this path relentlessly, striving to reach a pinnacle where my family and friends can witness the rewards of my dedication and see just how far my passion has taken me. Read More>>

Nicki Ngo

I pursued an artistic career because I want to capture raw, unfiltered emotion in my work. My art is a way to tell people’s stories—to give voice to their experiences and remind them that they exist, that they matter. At the core of it all, I want my art to reflect our shared humanity, to bridge the gaps between us, and to remind people that, no matter our differences, we are all human at the end of the day. Read More>>

Kevin K.

Growing up I was very influenced by my pops. He was the first cameraman I ever knew. As a kid, we would go on many trips out of the country and my dad would always pack up a bunch of film and bring different types of camcorders to record our journey. He wasn’t so much trying to create art but it was more about trying to capture the “moment”.  Read More>>

Antara Dave

I started my career as an engineer with a focus on data analytics and visualization. While working at The Home Depot, I realized that what excited me the most was solving real-world problems—simplifying complex workflows, optimizing processes, and developing strategies that drive meaningful impact. Read More>>

Gbk

The simple answer is that I love music, and I wanted to make my own. I started producing on GarageBand, writing raps, then buying equipment, meeting people who can help me get to a level that I want to be at. Now, after almost a year of doing this, I’m getting ready to release my first rap album. It’s all self-produced, and it’s going to be the best work I’ve ever done. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it. Read More>>

Manman Li

I chose a creative career because art has always been an essential part of my life. From a young age, drawing was my way of expressing myself, especially when words couldn’t fully capture my thoughts. My parents not only supported my passion but also encouraged me to create freely—even when my canvas was the walls of our home. Instead of stopping me, they nurtured my creativity and allowed me to explore and grow. Read More>>

Abrieel

My creative journey began at a young age when I discovered my passion for singing, songwriting, and design. As I grew, I honed my skills and made the conscious decision to pursue multiple creative paths, including professional modeling, music artistry, and various other projects. I find the greatest peace when I’m engaged in the act of creation, whether it’s through songwriting, modeling, creative direction, graphic design, website development, or event planning—and now, launching my own marketing agency. Read More>>

Ben Andrew

Since an early age, I always seemed to lean towards creative pursuits.
I started learning to play the piano at the age of six and, after a few years, my aptitude for music began to blossom. I was always at my happiest when I was making music in some way, shape or form. I think the idea of creating something from nothing has always fascinated me and when I saw that it was possible to combine my hobby with my career path, it was a no-brainer for me. Read More>>

Mika Mccalla

Hello, Shoutout LA, thank you for having me! Today I’m going to share with you a sort of unexpected story on what led me to pursuing entertainment. I want you to think of this sit down of ours as sort of a Ben Mankiewicz style TCM monologue. The way Ben provides commentary and history before a TCM selection isn’t always what you expected to learn about the coming film, but it definitely leaves you more curious than you were before. Read More>>

Davidfnycountry Austine Ogbadu

Because I love it. Because I have been immensely touched by the works of other Creatives, Thespians, Artists in the field. Because of the messages, collaborations and impacts I want my work to have and I have seen my works have. Read More>>

Victoria Martzloff

I was incredibly shy as a kid, and my parents, hoping to help me break out of my shell, enrolled me in theater and ballet classes. At first, I was very hesitant, but I started enjoying it more and more as I kept going to classes. I later joined a local theater company, and that’s where I truly fell in love with acting and where I was able to gain a lot of confidence. There was something magical about being on stage, transforming into different characters, and connecting with an audience. Read More>>