Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Jacob Wiant | Artist, Designer, & Storyteller

A creative career is critical to my life because at the core of creativity there is storytelling. With a creative career you have to tell a story. Storytelling is a unifier among all people. Since the beginning of humanity, people have been telling stories. For me a story comes as one with creativity, so sustaining a creative career connects me with the creatives/storytellers who came before and who cleared a path for my work now. Furthermore, stories can change people’s minds about anything. The ability to change someone’s mind is a superpower. I feel that through my career, I create things to challenge people and their perspectives through a story. Read more>>

Raquelin Guerrero | Wedding + Lifestyle Photographer

I chose a creative career because I knew I didn’t want to sit in an office for the rest of my life and do the same routine day in and day out. I wanted to be able to connect with wonderful people from different places and just experience life. For me, photography lets me relive the moments of making people happy. I look through my past and current work and think to myself “Wow, I really did that.” I knew at a young age I wasn’t going to have the same path as my peers and I’m really glad I didn’t give up on myself. Getting to this marker in my life hasn’t been the easiest but the journey of learning and improving my skills has definitely made it worth while. Read more>>

Kaylynn Villalas | Event Decorator & Balloon Artist

Growing up, my life wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies. I promised myself that if I had kids, I’d give them rainbows and butterflies. So for most of their birthdays, or achievements I make sure to make them feel special. By doing this, it grew into family asking for help with events, then friends, and now I get inquiries everyday! I never thought my small balloon business would take off the way it did but I’m so incredibly blessed to share this with others. Just seeing what I can do for others and them be so excited and happy gives me all the rainbows and butterflies. I’m thankful for where I am now, but so excited to see where God has me next year. Read more>>

Jerehmai Washington | Oddities artist & practicing hide tanner

I’ve always been artistically driven since childhood. It was definitely one of my dreams to become an artist in some form where I could make things I enjoy but also bring an image into production for others. With covid’s forced shift in my life I decided to take more risks as nothing was remotely predictable anymore. Read more>>

Julian Tejeda | Film Director, Screenwriter, Composer

I chose to pursue a career in filmmaking because it combined the two things I love most: storytelling and creating art. From a young age, storytelling has been an important aspect of my life. There is no better feeling than being able to command a room full of people with a simple story, and so that element has carried over to me in the form of filmmaking! Not only do I get the benefits of entertaining mass amounts of people, but I get to create the story and create the world it exists within. I am truly happy when I’m working on a film (whether it’s a short or a feature) which lets me know this is the right path for Me! Read more>>

Iaisha Munnerlyn | Founder of MoodTea

I can remember being 6 yrs old creating outfits for my barbie using toilet paper I crafted into art. I have always been a creative and my roles have always gravitated towards that whether it be dancing or developing a crazy drink recipe for work. Read more>>

Anita Sanchez | Community Event Organizer & Art-n-Craftivist

My entire life has been governed by my desire to create. I express myself and heal and share my love through creating all different sorts of art, jewelry, music, poetry and the list goes on. All of my being is made up for artistic creativity. I have worked in many different settings but my longing always goes back to my life’s work in some the world of art and creation. Connecting with other creatives is what makes me truly happy. Read more>>

Shaun | Founder of AllAboutLosAngeles.com – “History Revisited”

For me, History has always been a life long interest.. Started as a life long hoppy but Originally founded in 2017, This was all started as a tribute to the City of Angels – Los Angeles, California. Disney History is my favorite topic and my favorite movie is Back to The Future. The came from the strong love and passion that I have for Pop Culture and living right in the middle of the action here in Los Angeles – the sights, sounds and history. I am here to show you deep inside the city of Los Angeles, Read more>>

Estella Sanyu Ntavyo | Singer/songwriter & Nurse

Why I chose to pursue an artistic/creative career is because I believe it’s a form of therapy that helps me express myself! When Im feeling emotional but don’t know what to do with myself, I’ll crawl into a hole and let my soul do the writing. The next day Ill look back on my lyrics and get a MAJOR understanding of who I am at that moment and what it was that was putting me in that state of mind. I think being an artist is just so magical for the fact that we humans get to be the creator of a whole vibe! Knowing that I can make someone feel what they didn’t know they felt is what keeps me buying more pens! Read more>>