Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Cody McMillen

I wouldn’t call it a career, in fact, I specifically keep it as a hobby, but I’ve always been a creative person, making some sort of art. As a child and teenager, it was a lot of drawing, sketching, painting…Then I got into sculpture and the like. I was always making jewelry or other accessories for myself and over time the idea of making and selling pieces for other just bloomed. Read More>>

Stephanie Rose

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been “the little artist.” As a kid, I was always the one doodling in the margins of my notebooks or drawing on every surface I could get my hands on. In high school, I even drew marker tattoos on my friends, convinced I’d one day become a tattoo artist. I still have stacks of sketchbooks filled with drawings I’ve held onto for years. I just can’t bring myself to throw any of them away. Creativity has always felt like the thing that gives my soul breath. It brings me so much joy and a sense of connection to the world around me. Read More>>

Ryoka Matsumoto

Because it’s the only thing that has ever made me feel truly alive.

I first discovered that feeling when I was eight years old and performed in the musical Annie. It was my first time on stage, and I remember how magical it felt to express myself through a character. During the curtain call, when the audience applauded, I felt a rush through my entire body—a mix of excitement, pride, and connection. That moment left a deep impression on me, and I knew right then that I wanted to keep performing for as long as I could. Read More>>