Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Ellie Ediger | Artist & Interior Designer

Art and being creative is something that I have always enjoyed from a young age. I remember as a kid, picking up interior design magazines and then drawing spaces from the magazine that I would find interesting. When I was in high school, I worked at a local coffee shop and the owner was a former interior designer. I remember thinking she was so interesting and had such great style, Read more>>

Kalel Santana | Pro Wrestler. My monicker: The Breakaway, The Standout, El Natural, & The Enemy of The State

I’ve always loved pro wrestling. Ever since I was a little kid. The spectacle, the athletics, the storytelling, the fans appreciation, and the kind of things that can only happen in pro wrestling. I remember growing up, watching it on Saturdays. And then began watching it on Mondays. I would go to my friends house to watch it because they had cable and I didn’t at the time. I was huge fan of Sting, Read more>>

Vic Robles | Photographer, Content Creator & Fitness Coach

Growing up I had a fascination with cameras. In high school, I took photography classes. This was back then before digital cameras were really around. We learned how to develop film and photos of things that we shot for assignments. I remember the first time being in a dark room and watching the magic of an image that I took just come to life. Read more>>

Austin Dickholtz | 1st Assistant Director & Producer

I have always had a deep desire to know how things work. It blows my mind the insane ingenuity that filmmakers use to make movies look real on screen. I probably spend more time watching behind-the-scenes extras than actual television; I just have to know how the magic trick was done. This fascination eventually led me towards getting a bachelors in filmmaking at Full Sail University, where I learned to use my hobbies & skills to build myself a career as a 1st Assistant Director. Read more>>

ML Dumars | Poet and novelist

I have always wanted to be a writer. As a child, I wrote elaborate stories detailing the life of a child born into different circumstances. I met Gwendolyn Brooks when I was in third grade and she asked me what I wanted to be as an adult. I said “a writer” and she told me to keep writing. I write every chance I get. Now I am retired and can rise every morning, go into my office and write in this intricate world. Read more>>

Yovanier Valentin | Tattoo Artist and Business Owner

Ever since I can remember I enjoyed creating things. It didn’t matter what tools or techniques I used, it always gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment to finish something with my hands. Therefore at a young age, I always knew I would pursue a career in art because it was what I enjoyed the most, being able to provide a different perspective on life, whether it be beautiful, scary, or down right abstract is an added bonus. Read more>>

Venus | Artist

In college I took an Art Appreciation class and became fascinated by the deeper meaning and expression in art. That’s what pulled me in. The idea that a canvas picture could have a message or tell a story. It’s not just a pretty picture. How does it make you feel? What is it saying to you? The answer will be different for everyone. I find that fascinating and I wanted to participate in creating expressive works. Read more>>

Taylor Blackshear | Painter

I have dabbled in a lot of different fields but art has always been a constant between them all. I consistently found myself adding creative aspects to the least artistic jobs, like taking over the “specials chalk board” you’ve seen at many restaurants, or drawing funny pictures on the pizza boxes I sent out when I worked at a pizza shop as a teen, Read more>>