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.

Ashley Kay | Actress/Writer/Director/Producer/Model

I’ve always felt drawn to performance and entertainment ever since I was little. From Film to Television, to Theatre and even Music, I admired so many creatives like Denzel Washington, Vanessa Williams, Robin Williams, Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Quintin Tarantino, and that’s only some of my faves because I could go on and on and on LOL, literally! Read more>>

Holly Owen | Author and Interior Decorator

I wrote my book, “Quit Playing Yourself,” after another disappointing relationship imploded, just as the world shut down. Left with plenty of time on my hands, I decided to do a deep-dive into why I chose the partners I did. I love walking and taking pictures, and on one of my walks, I had an epiphany. I began matching the quotes I was writing to the pictures I was taking, and the project, originally started just for me, took on a life of its own. I don’t know that I chose it so much as it chose me. Read more>>

Ashwin ‘Xenai’ Shenoy | Renaissance man, Actor, Musician, Model, Writer, Music Producer, Audio Engineer and Recording Artist

I’ve lived inside my head for as long as I can remember; zoning out during conversations, projections of the future of humanity, and of course, of myself, whether i’ll settle for a married life with children or end up alone in a giant UPS cardboard box behind West Adams Blvd, because of this stubborn urge to purse an artistic career over everything else – willing to sacrifice and put it all on the line, even the skills I’ve acquired over the years for fear that the very intelligence and talents I am gifted with, might pigeonhole me into a career I might find hard to get out of Read more>>

CERANDA | Pop Star

From a young age I was exposed to music through my father, who was also a performing musician. He noticed my interest in singing, dancing, and performing and helped encouraged me to chase my dreams. Coming from a small town, I could not imagine doing this without the support of my family. I also grew up watching Hannah Montana which exposed me to the dream-like fantasy of a young pop-star’s life, making me feel like I could have it too. I played my first show when I was 13 years old and that feeling still carries me through what I do today. Read more>>

Kyle Tye | Film Director & Editor

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved telling stories. Whether it was through performing a role on stage, writing prose, or making a movie, the opportunity to make people laugh, cry, think or feel something deep within themselves has always driven me to create. Though I enjoyed all of the ways I could tell a story, I was particularly drawn to picking up a camera. When I was 12, I used the family camcorder to shoot a Star Wars movie…using action figures. I fell in love with the magic of moviemaking and decided to make a career out of it. Read more>>

Tyler Chen | Actor

I decided to pursue an artistic/creative career because working in the arts is something that gets me truly excited and wide-eyed. All my life my parents had convinced me that going down the STEM education pipeline and becoming either a scientist, doctor, lawyer, or banking or financial analyst was the route to a successful, happy life (as is the case with most immigrant Asian families). I never really thought much about what it is I really wanted to do for a career until I was in high school when I discovered what musical theater was. Read more>>

David A. Flores | Writer/Director

I’m not sure if I’m pursuing anything. For me, being creative is a compulsion. I sometimes, oftentimes, wish I could just *poof* wash it away and be content with: clocking in and out of the day job, working for the weekend, etc. For better or worse, I’m in a constant cycle of: Thinking. Planning. Getting inspired. How can I make something cool? Something badass. Something I want to see. Read more>>

Salomé Costa | Actress and Producer

I followed an artistic career because I had the dream of making movies and becoming an actress. For as long as I can remember I wanted to make movies but I grew up thinking it was unachievable and instead chose a more conventional path. After high school, I moved to London to study Psychology. It was a topic that I really enjoyed but deep down I knew that it wasn’t what I really wanted to do with my life. The following year I moved to Montpellier, south of France, and entered an art school. Read more>>

Patrick Joseph | Producer, Composer, Songwriter, Recording Artist.

When I was growing up, I was never that great in school. I got by – mainly on common sense – but chalk it up to either an attention disability, a lack of interest, or just plain laziness, I was just never that engaged. I found myself as a child when my parents had me taking piano lessons. That quickly became the identity of my youth: the music kid. This carried me much through my teens – playing drums in bands, guitar in bands, bass in bands. Jumping around a lot and sharpening my skills. Read more>>

LovelyOcean | Rapper, songwriter, artist

I have always been a creative person, so making music seemed like the natural decision. Initially, I was nervous to get started because I’m a pretty shy person and it takes a lot of guts to be vulnerable and put out music. Although music is not my full time career, I would like it to be and I’m working toward that. I currently work in the social work field, and that helps me pay the bills and fund my music endeavors. Music truly brings me peace and has saved me so many times. It allows me to express myself in ways that I was never able to before. Read more>>

Sky Hendrix | MUSIC ARTIST/PRODUCER

I think honestly it chose me…. idk how to explain it, my moms used to play MTV JAMS as a kid and I was so into watching the music videos and singing all the songs, id be in my diapers, rapping and dancing to the songs that would come on TV. Even in school, I use to start breakdance battles like every day, I eventually got into music because I seen “The Rangers” go from jerking to music, I was like WAIT NAH THIS IS ME. Read more>>

Kamilla Kakhkharova Bendersky | Pianist & Composer

As a child I intuitively gravitated towards music asking my parents if I could study piano without really knowing why. As I matured as a person and a musician, I came to realize the incredible power of music to connect people from different backgrounds, countries and social classes. Music can also profoundly touch and transform people’s hearts bringing relief from life struggles, grief and overall process our emotions in a healthy way. Read more>>

Morgan Matchuny | Artist & Poet

As an act of self preservation. I am a person who has been referred to as “too sensitive” and “stuck in my head” all my life. Art is a way out of that mode of being. Art is a way to set aside the ego and observe; to create something tangible from the tangled mess of everything that is my mind. I have always been a writer, but art didn’t come naturally to me. I was always taught in school that art had to be done a certain way, that one is supposed to “draw what you see.” That didn’t interest me. Read more>>

Robert DiTillio | Actor and Filmmaker

I’ve loved movies since seeing my first one at a very young age. I found their ability to transport me into another world fascinating. When I was in high school, I started making movies with my friends, mostly on Super-8 film, in which I would act as well as help with production. But when I went to college, I studied business. I didn’t initially think about being an actor or filmmaker as a career choice. However, that quickly changed once I realized I did not want to be part of corporate America or have a 9 to 5 job in the same place for years. Read more>>

Chris Epting | Author, storyteller

As a young child, I was drawn to artistic and creative pursuits, and writing became my outlet for self-expression. It felt like a natural extension of who I was—an inherent part of my identity. While other kids may have excelled in sports or academics, I found solace and joy in the act of creating with words. Writing provided me with a sense of freedom and possibility. Read more>>

Jiwon (Jasmine) Kim | UX Designer

I pursued a creative career because I was surrounded by art and design from an early age, which nurtured my innate ability to spot innovation and missed opportunities in products. My passion lies in crafting impactful experiences, and I believe that design has the potential to make a positive difference in people’s lives. I enjoy diving into what exists, understanding user needs, and using my skills in research and interaction design to create seamless and visually striking user experiences. Read more>>

Ashraf Ishak | Visual Artist, Poet, Musician & Singer Songwriter

Because I get to wake up loving do what I do every day and as an artist and not having anyone controlling my freedom of expression, and that to me is quiet important. Read more>>

Jonathan Gonzalez | Chef, owner of James Madison LLC

The culinary and hospitality industry, as a whole, is hard work! It takes dedication and sacrifice. Weekends and holidays, say goodbye to. While other people are enjoying their time with family, on vacation or any special occasion, you’re there to serve them a memorable experience. Not to mention the stresses and pressure of perfection or just having to deal with other peoples’ shit! Why did I pursue this?simply put, cause I fucking LOVE it.! Read more>>

Ruby York | Actor and Writer (poet)

I always make the joke that I did not choose to be an actor, but rather acting chose me. But in all reality, it all started with the support I had as a young child from my parents. I grew up in a very creative and eclectic environment. I was a classical ballerina for all of my childhood and adolescence, but anytime I was dancing on stage I found myself wanting to speak, the way they did in plays. So at a very young age I realized I had something inside me that needed to be expressed and felt by others. Read more>>

Dan Hamamura | Television Writer

I’m not sure that this answer will be satisfying, but honestly: because it seemed fun! (Wait, I have a longer explanation, I swear.) When I was in college, my original goal was to pursue a career in the video game industry – having grown up playing games in the 80s and 90s, I was convinced that making video games was the career path that I wanted. So after studying Computer Science and Film Studies (in theory, to give myself technical and narrative skillsets to work with), I began working in the game industry……and I hated it. Read more>>

Tiffany Melendez | Photographer

I’ve always had a deep-rooted love for art and creativity. From the earliest years of my childhood, I found myself drawn to various forms of artistic expression. I remember spending countless hours engaged in arts and crafts, whether I was learning to sew, crafting bracelets, knitting scarves, and beanies, or scrapbooking my most cherished memories. Read more>>

Caio Miguel Jiacomini | Sound Designer, Composer, Audio Developer

I pursued a creative career because I simply had to. Since I started getting deeper into music and audio as a teenager, I knew that was gonna dominate my life forever. I just felt this sort of gravitational pull towards audio and the more time passed the stronger that pull became. This is a common sentiment from my other friends in music. It’s never a fully conscious decision to pursue music as a career, it’s this thing that slowly possesses you and, when you realize it, there’s simply nothing else you can see yourself doing, no other possibility. Read more>>

Kim A. Tolman | Artist, Gallerist, Production Designer, Theatre Designer, Art Director

It happened naturally. It had to. I grew up in rural, northern Germany in an absolutely non-artistic family and environment. That somehow was my first inspiration in a reversed kind of way. I’m an artist because I need to be one – I have this inherent drive to make things. Whether it was climbing a tree to build a tree house or designing and stitching my own clothes, I needed to create. Read more>>

Júlia Godoy | Artist

My earliest memories are of smelling white roses in my great grandmother’s garden under the hot sun in Goiania, Brazil. The breeze would bring with it a sweet scent of erva cidreira, Portuguese for lemongrass, which was planted along the edge of her property line. The long lineage of women in my family used this to brew tea to sip on while discussing life at the patio table. While my grandmothers spoke of generations before them, I sat on my mothers lap drawing on the white tablecloth with the bright red juices of the acerola cherry gathered from the tall tree in the backyard. Read more>>

Tony Reimonenq III | Entertainer & Creator

I pursued an artistic career because it pursued me first! Since I was little, my gifts have always made room for me. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned how my gifts impact others and that encourages me to keep going. Our gifts and talents are nothing if we don’t share them with others, so I’m happy to be able to share mine with the world. Read more>>

Eren Pulido | Make up artist

I decided to pursue a career in the artistic field of makeup because of my personal fascination with its transformative power. Ever since I was a young girl I enjoyed art, I loved drawing and painting and as I got older makeup became my canvas, allowing me to express myself creatively and enhance my own beauty. As I delved deeper into this world, experimenting with various techniques, colors, and styles, my passion only grew stronger. I found inspiration in the realms of fashion, where makeup played an integral role in character development and storytelling. Read more>>

Jacqueline Sanchez | Publicist and Photo-content editing

I have always felt I stood out in places and among groups; my personality and my hustle have always been a highlight since I was a kid. I was taught to go for what I wanted at an early age and to continuously work more than the next person. Along my hustle, I met J-Wealth, a random person in the room who saw in me what others didn’t, which was a different energy in my work approach; he didn’t hesitate to offer me an opportunity to exhale my passion. I was given the opportunity to be in Hollywood to do my thing I know to do best, which is to be the best version of myself and to give the best out of myself, but this time, to be recognized for it. Read more>>

Lola Bates | Recording Musician, Songwriter, Composer, Producer

Being an artist was never a choice. It was something I grew into from a young age. With an undeniable relationship to music, music listening, and musical expression I’ve wanted to pursue this path since I was a teen. Growing up in Los Angeles I was surrounded by music industry professionals, mentors, collaborators, and supportive family members who’ve shown me that one can become successful in this career, helping me build a foundation with hope for my future! Read more>>

Rachel Hardy | Composer & Vocalist

I have a very simple answer to this: I find a lot of fulfillment in creating. Being in a creative career can be a bit of a rollercoaster; sometimes the process itself is very exciting and rewarding, but it can also be emotionally and mentally exhausting. In the end though, it always feels good to finish something that came from your mind, whether the process went smoothly or not. I find that pursuing a creative career path stretches me as a person, encourages mental growth, and challenges me creatively. Read more>>

Jon Davis | Film Director

Being creative and expressing my thoughts, feelings, experiences or humor is one of the few ways I can truly feel alive. I just love creation and the feeling of putting something together that only existed in my mind Read more>>

Lennie Billy | Professional Makeup Artist

I think growing up surrounded by beauty, my mother is a cosmetologist and esthetician, she owns a salon and I was always there to help her. I remember that one day she trained me to help her do make up for some clients she had for a wedding and there I felt in love with makeup. I used to save the money my mom would give me for school and buy drugstore makeup. Also, I would always got through her makeup and try her lipsticks, eyeliner, mascara, etc. Read more>>

Daiqing Zhang | Artist

I am not a person who has a lot of interests. Making things is the only thing that I found myself persistently being passionate about since young. Read more>>

Jessie Gu | Illustrator

I believe that for most people, pursuing a creative career is driven by a deep passion, and I certainly count myself among them. My love for comics and animations has been a part of me since I was a little girl, and my dream of publishing a graphic novel has remained a steadfast goal over the years. However, I acknowledge that the path to becoming an artist can be long and solitary, riddled with challenges. Read more>>

palak patel | Chef and Author

I grew up in a family of fifteen, living under one roof, we always cooked and ate together. The motivation of family behind my creative career is multifaceted. It stems from a variety of factors, including personal experiences, cultural values, and a desire to share my culture with others. Read more>>

Pretty Blaq | Hip Hop Artist & Spokenword Poet

I honestly feel I was placed on this earth as a creative being, to heal people with my artistry Read more>>

Kenix Xiaoqing Liang | Artist

I started off majoring International trade and economics when I first went to college. During that year, I realized I wouldn’t be happy if I continued to stay in that program and eventually got a job in a bank or a foreign trade company. Since I was young I have always loved painting and drawing, or whatever hand-making things. So I decided to start over and studied art at UCLA. Read more>>

Albert Kiefer | Digital artist & expressive house sketcher

Making pictures has always been on my mind since when I was a child. It was the ideal way for me to express myself. So I wanted to become active in a profession that allowed me to use my skills and at the same time earn my living. Read more>>

Sean Grand | Producer/Artist Manager

Thanks for having me on the platform again. I really appreciate the opportunity to share my story with others. As a follow up to my Voyage & Shoutout articles in March & July, I thought this question would be great to answer because I didn’t get into it before. Read more>>

Xuan Cui | Fashion Designer & Founder

This is an interesting question because I have only started to think about pursuing a creative career after I experienced one semester of learning science in 2017. One weekend, I saw an article writing about art schools in the States, and the thought of learning in an art school abroad excited me; to me, it was like opening doors to an entirely new world I could never have imagined. Among all majors, fashion design stood out to me because I believe that I can express myself the most via the form of wearables, and I was curious to see how I could put my creativity into collections of clothing. Read more>>

carmen aguilar | Portrait Photographer

One of the most compelling aspects of my chosen path is the privilege of capturing people in moments of raw authenticity. Whether in portraiture, candid photography, or documentary work, the process of photographing individuals allows me to witness the beauty of human vulnerability. It is a profound experience to have someone sit before me, allowing me to look through my lens and represent them in a way that transcends the superficial. Read more>>