We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Nick Poortman | Producer, Engineer, Mixer

I can still recall the moment I walked into the control room of the small studio at my school at the age of 12 and stated “this is what I’m going to do”. Coming from a non-musical family, there was some rogue gene that pulled me towards music. I began playing guitar and saxophone, using music as my creative outlet, and I had a natural draw to tech. Career interests bounced between graphic designer to architect, animator to pilot, but none that really stuck. Read more>>

Morgan Richardson | Artist and Designer of Theme Parks & Zoos

I don’t think I had any other choice, to be honest. Regardless of how the work manifested, I was always going to be doing something creative. My brain is wired that way and my soul is tuned to whatever frequency transmits creativity. I believe just about everyone can be creative but people tend to confuse artistic with creative. Non-artistic people can be and often are very creative. Obviously I’m an artistic guy and I know how to get things built, that mix of traits led me to work as a professional artist and then eventually to the themed entertainment industry. Read more>>

Jon Giurleo | Music Producer, Songwriter, Writer

I have always been drawn to creating stories, artwork, and music. I can recall writing books when I was in elementary school. In middle school, I began writing songs. Eventually, I started to create beats and full songs in high school. I used to be obsessed with watching videos of other artists creating in the studio and I would stay up late watching them. Seeing how others approached their crafts added fuel to my fire. A creative career is the only career I can have. Read more>>

Joanna Tam | Content Creator | Pharmacist in Tech

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved fashion. From the runway shows to Nordstrom’s semi-annual sales, I felt so inspired by different trends that’d come and go each season. When it came time to think about my future career goals as a junior in high school, fashion was all I thought about. Until it wasn’t. My family never believed in pursuing careers in art. Like many Asian families, I was steered towards STEM paths. I ended up pursuing a career in pharmacy. Read more>>

Sarah Boris | Artist & designer

I grew up in the US until the age of 6 and from a young age I was lucky to have access to lots of arts and crafts. I was fascinated by the supplies and loved going to the art supply store with endless rows of colors, papers. I have always loved making and creating. It’s my happy state. Whenever I paint, I can get caught with a happy grin in the form of a smile on my face. I think from then on it was a given I would pursue a creative career. Read more>>

Liaan Ferreira | Actor

Acting sets my heart on fire! It’s the one thing that makes me feel alive and like I belong, you know? It gave me a purpose at a time in my life were I felt like the world was crushing down on me and in many ways it guided me to always strive to be and do better, whatever the circumstances. I am always creatively charged, as a kid poetry and films woke something in me. Maybe it’s destiny or whatever it might be. It seems to call-out to me and I can’t help but heed the call. It’s part of who I am, a fundamental force carved deep within my soul to pursue these indelible conquest as an artist. Read more>>

Jason Kritzberg | Cinematographer, Editor, Digital Marketer, & Founder of JKreative Media Team, Intl.

Since I was young, I’ve always had a passion for filmmaking. It all started with a Flip Video camcorder and iMovie in 2009. Creating short films, trailers, and travel vlogs sparked my creativity which eventually grew my interest into pursuing a 4 year film program in high school, to then a Bachelors Degree of the Arts (Television Production), to now owning and operating a successful, full-time video production and marketing company, JKreative Media Team, Intl. Read more>>

Brooke Bohn | Illustrator

I was stuck in a very toxic workplace and wanted a way out that I had control over. I was tired of the same routine of finding a job and it turning sour because of people not understanding my neurodivergency (which was a huge realization in the summer of 2022 when I was diagnosed with ADHD). I always wanted to be an artist since I was a child, but tossed it away after dropping out of Emily Carr years ago and moving home due to my poor mental state. I realized how expensive life is and turned away from a creative career out of fear that it wouldn’t work out. Read more>>