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.

Rebecca Hucks | Artist

In college I started not knowing my direction. I focused in sculpture and loved exploring that medium. After college my work became less sculptural and more watercolor based. I did mostly live-event painting and commissions. I created a name for myself as Rebecca Hucks Art which I am formerly known as. Some time after that season of life, I slowed down with commission based work and started getting crafty again, creating my hearts desire. Crocheting, journaling, painting, sculpting, dabbling in toy restoration, and literally all the things! Read more>>

Jahn Dough | Hip hop

The arts are a passion of mine. I love the process of creating and I feel like art is one of the unifying factors in this world. As humans we connect through rhythm and vibrations. Music has the power to heal and knowing my music can help someone is a beautiful feeling. Read more>>

Candice Y. Johnson | Award-Winning Author & Choreographer

I was born a Creative! Literally raised in the discos of Germany, where my father worked gigs as a DJ. My mind’s always been a windstorm of dreams and imagination; creative expression and the arts is where I’ve found my passion and peace. It’s where I live, and where my roots are planted. During my time in Corporate America, I worked hard and served even harder, but at the end of the day, waiting on Fridays so I could have the weekend off was draining and unfulfilling. Read more>>

Aleksandra Baranova | Creative director, Fashion designer

Funny enough, I have never aspired to a creative career. It has found me, through every little daring step I have taken. From the beginning, I aspired to a career as a lawyer, but my first drift away happened when I was first scouted as a model in my teenage years. I grew from a rock band, ripped jeans teen into an international model – living off my carry-on luggage for 7 years. This bit of my life has shaped my whole perception and inspired me to keep experimenting, instead of hiding under the rock. Read more>>

Edgar Llamas | Founder & Creative Director

From a young age, I knew that art was my calling. Growing up immersed in the world of graffiti, I developed a deep admiration for streetwear brands like Marc Ecko, Panik, and Tribal. I dreamt of creating something similar but was held back by fear for far too long. It wasn’t until I began training in Jiu Jitsu, one of the toughest martial arts, that I found the confidence to dive into my passion. Read more>>

Hannah Strong | Owner of Simply Pretty Porch

I pursed an artistic or creative career because I missed showcasing my creative side after leaving the teaching field of 10 years to be a stay at home mom to my first daughter back in 2021. Read more>>

Leah Michaels | Jewelry Creator/Designer

Something felt like it was missing in my life. I wasn’t quite sure what it was until I started making my jewelry. I never would have thought that 10 years later, we would have done close to 200 craft shows in the DFW area, worked so hard or had so much fun on our weekends, met so many amazing makers and patrons, and learned so much about marketing, putting my ideas out there for the world, and hoping that people would understand my vision. I had nothing to worry about; we have so many “seers” and so many repeat customers, including my own coworkers and family members. Read more>>