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.

Janelle Draper

I’ve always been drawn to the arts and creativity. I believe every person is creative by nature but a lot of people lose touch with their creativity as they grow up and fall prey to societal norms and pressures. Read More>>

Renee Garcia

It was a childhood dream of mine, when I was eight years old to work in Hollywood after going to Universal Studios with my parents and I wrote my first screenplay at fifteen, titled, “As Time Passes On.” I knew this was a calling from God and my passion for storytelling and filmmaking was born. Read More>>

Hugo Galaxy

I mean, like making people laugh. This gonna sound hella cheesy but before stand up comedy, like at the end of the day when I rested my head a genuine thought before going to bed was, did I make someone laugh today. Comedy allows me to do that 10 fold Read More>>

Laura Makaltses

I chose to pursue creativity because it gave me something nothing else could—a place to belong. As a child, I often felt out of place in the structure of school. Sports weren’t my thing, and the social dynamics left me feeling isolated. But creativity? That was my refuge. Read More>>

CHAEL THE APOSTLE

I embarked on this journey because music is my life, and I believe worship is one of the highest forms of praise we can offer to God. From a young age, I felt a deep connection to music, not just as an art form but as a spiritual expression—one that has the power to uplift, heal, and bring people closer to God. Read More>>

Cali Three

For me, creativity has always been survival. Music became a way to make sense of the world, to stay grounded during the chaos of life, burnout, and everything in between. Cali Three was born from that need to express, connect, and uplift—not just myself, but anyone listening. Read More>>

Paula

It is all I’ve ever wanted to do. There has never been a backup plan or another career path that I ever took seriously. Creativity, and writing specifically, called to me from a very young age and I’ve been chasing it ever since. I don’t think I even had a choice in the matter. Read More>>

Anoop Surya

As a kid, I watched a lot of movies and TV shows that shaped the way I looked at and understood the world. Cinema has always been a reflection of society and a great source of knowledge, inspiration, and, at times, escape for me. Read More>>

Corey Ray

Mainly because it gives me the freedom to make anything, and with the many genres upon sub-genres out there and as many other art forms, there are no limitations to what you can make in the process. Read More>>

Bruno Rubeiz

I had a writing professor at Columbia University who said that writers were readers who were moved to creation. I think that’s the simplest and truest explanation for why someone chooses an artistic career. Read More>>

Dominic King

I chose a creative career because it allows me to do what I truly love. When I’m creating — whether it’s bringing ideas to life, solving problems in innovative ways, or expressing a vision — it never feels like work. Read More>>

Sandy Huse

Pursuing the arts wasn’t a choice, it was a necessity. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have a crayon or a pencil or a piece of chalk in my hand, later to be followed by hammers, saws and carving tools. Read More>>

Wen Lin

I pursued an artistic and creative career because I believe in the power of storytelling and live performance to bridge cultures and foster meaningful connections. As a master of ceremonies and bilingual host, I collaborate with various organizations and foundations to produce and present live events and shows. Read More>>

Ari Fromm

I was supposed to be a woman in STEM, but it turns out, I’m neither.

Before I’d reached elementary school, my parents noticed I was uncommonly good at math. Surprisingly, unusually good. By fourth grade, I was in one of those “gifted and talented” programs, and my middle and high school years were spent in STEM-specific programs. Read More>>

Mycala Baker

I pursued an artistic career because it was something that made me feel joy, love, confident, and fulfilled. I tried other careers and each time I always found myself being drawn to the arts. It’s been apart of my life since I was a little girl and it feels unnatural for me to do anything outside of the arts. Read More>>

Brandon Jones

Everyone I’ve ever met that has found success as an artist is obsessed with creating things, It dominates their thinking, even when they’re trying to relax or pursue other interests. There have been times in my life where I’ve done less than inspiring work because it was simple to produce or it paid well, but my thoughts never strayed from stories I wanted to tell. Read More>>

Evan James White

Work is how we spend most of our days, at least that’s what it seems like in our society. If that’s the case, I want to spend most of my days doing what I love, doing what energizes me, doing what has the potential to inspire others. Read More>>

Xelli Island

My pursuit is driven from a place of love, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for what art in the form of music can do for us. Life is short and precious and difficult and without music it would be absolutely unbearable. Read More>>

Tristan Samson

Ever since I was young I knew I wanted to be a performer. The first production I was apart of was Annie and I was portraying Mr. Warbucks in the Philippines. Of course, to task young kids to do an entire production, since I was around 2nd or 3rd grade, was no small feat…so instead of memorizing lines, we were mouthing the words as the movie was playing in the background. Read More>>

Anran Geng

I’ve always believed art is a silent conversation. Growing up doodling on paper as a child, I discovered that creating visuals could make me feel understood – even when words failed. It became my most authentic language. That’s why I chose production design: it lets me translate emotions into physical spaces. Read More>>

Sarah Elizabeth Mitchell

I fear for some of us it really isn’t a choice as much as it is a compulsion.

I did youth theater training programs back home and started acting in theater for grown ups in the ‘90s when my own age was in the single digits. When I was 9, I was happily cast as a Munchkin in a production of “The Wizard of Oz.” Read More>>

Konstantin Strokin

I never really had a choice—it was more of a calling than a decision. Since childhood, I’ve been drawn to expressing myself visually, trying to capture the movement of thought and emotion on paper. Read More>>

Gilleon Smith-Mercado

Honestly? Because I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Creativity has always been the way I make sense of the world—whether it was through casting, building brands, or designing websites, I’ve always been drawn to the process of turning ideas into something tangible and impactful. But beyond that, the drive comes from knowing I’m building something for myself. Read More>>

Grupo Elevado

We pursue music because it is our greatest passion. We believe that with our music we will soon be able to repay everything our parents have sacrificed and gifted us while having our talent and heritage at the forefront. Read More>>

Megan Foster

I have always been interested in art and creative outlets for as long as I can remember. I first got a hold of a proper camera when I was around 11 or 12 and I remember going out and taking photos of nature and animals. Read More>>

Brian Tichnell

I think it’s a familiar reason for most artists: I could do nothing else. Why does a fish swim? The very idea of doing anything else makes me feel ill inside. So yeah, probably that, the avoidance of feeling ill. Read More>>

Tess Rafferty

Clearly because I didn’t think any of it through. And trust me, I’m at a point in my life where I just wish I had wanted to be a banker or go into sales. Sadly, there was never any question of doing anything else. Read More>>

CHRYS THOMPSON

I began pursuing music creation simply because I was blown away at when I discovery music creation and the possibility of being able to make my own professional music. After years of teaching myself how to record and produce tracks, I realized I was still far from where I wanted to be from a quality standpoint. Read More>>

Lin Wang

In the beginning, art felt mysterious to me, especially the abstract ways of thinking that led me to question my own existence and search for something eternal in the universe. But the journey wasn’t always smooth—I faced setbacks, doubted myself, and felt lost at times. Over time, I realized that art isn’t about finding a single, definite answer. Read More>>

Haolun Yang

I grew up in a middle-class Chinese family. Neither my father nor my mother had a background in the arts. Yet somehow, through their unwavering support for my curiosity and a desire to immerse me in the best resources they could offer, I grew up surrounded by diverse forms of great work that quietly shaped me – tech products defined by craftsmanship, films rich in cinematic color, music layered with thoughtful arrangement… Read More>>

Kush K

Music has always been my thing. Ever since I was a kid, I have been drawn to drums, keys, and whatever I could get my hands on. I started making beats for fun, but then I realised I love doing this. It’s a way for me to express myself, tell my story, and connect with people. Read More>>

Philip Gangler

I pursued a my artistic career because creating has always brought me the most joy. In my 25 year career in graphic design I was more of a problem solver. The question was how do I create something that is pleasing to look at and also invites the viewer to engage in the information that the piece was conveying. Read More>>

Lauren Winona Mutschler

Ever since I was a toddler I couldn’t stop drawing with crayons. I grew up drawing and painting and went to an art high school and later studied art in college. I feel like art helps me escape from reality and I feel immense passion for constantly creating new projects. Read More>>

Tony Malzone

Throughout all of my creative pursuits, passions, and stories, I’ve always said, “A human is the greatest art form, and the human experience is the greatest story.” Humanity has defined creativity, and it is our creativity that defines us. Creativity has made us the most advanced species our world has ever known. It’s enhanced our human experience to know no bounds other than that of our own imagination. Read More>>

Alexander Watson

Growing up I came from a family who always had a great sense of humor. I was also taught at a very young age about art, theatre, and of course film. I remember the very first thing I started doing when exploring being artistic was doing magic shows for my family. Read More>>

Desmond (Qi Hong) Loh

I enjoy creating content to entertain people, which is why I pursued a career in film production and content creation. I was always known as “the jester” ever since middle school — the one finding a funny punchline in everything, finding creative ways to make simple things interesting. Read More>>

Karen Trejo

Growing up in LA, I always showed interest in the arts. My parents would buy different cameras for me on my birthday. Sadly, I don’t know where those are. (I’ve moved so much. I’m sure that’s how I lose things.) Ironically, my parents wouldn’t let me major in anything art related so I became a youth care worker. Read More>>

Cameron Murphy

My creative life is a search for spiritual communion. Something that transcends the wall of self and connects us in ways that nothing else can. It looks very corny in print. But it’s the truth. At its best, art makes us forget we’re in different skulls, different souls, apart. That’s what I’m after. Read More>>