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.

Anna Thornton | Mother and teacher

Since I was a little kid, I loved to sit and look at pictures for hours at a time. I loved seeing the beautiful scenery and smiling faces knowing that there was a story behind each photo. I would often try to imagine what it was like to be in the photo and what was felt when the photo was taken. There was something about it that always left me in awe and wonder looking at those photos. Read more>>

Astro Giirl | Loctition & Visual/Music Artist

I chose to pursue an artistic career because i think art heals the soul. To create something from scratch is to implement all of the feelings you had during the process, whether that’s sadness, happiness, frustration or confusion. To see the end result is most fulfilling and to put that energy back into the world so other can feel or curate their own perspective is enthralling. Read more>>

Renee Bennett | Licensed Hairstylist and Bespoke Wigmaker

I do not believe that I pursued this career, it actually chased me. I had a desire at nine years old to learn how to braid and after getting a doll with synthetic hair, I practiced until I figured it out and from there the rest is really history. I had my first client at the age of 10 and received my cosmetology license at the age of 22. I started making wigs initially for myself just to have the freedom to be able to change my hair whenever I desired. My clients began to notice and inquire about my wigs and that’s pretty much how the business started. Read more>>

Josel Guzman | Tattoo Artist

I chose this artistic career because I just simply love it, art in general is something that really amazes me no matter the time, it’s something I always enjoyed doing. I was that kid drawing in the middle of class in school. I could be in a museum watching just one art piece for hours. Enjoy the outcome of an art piece made with the feelings and point of view of an artist. To see the evolution of the world of art. To see the historic moments of artists that left an impactful legacy. Read more>>

Blurry Paige | Alternative Recording Artist

I’d be making music whether it was my career or not. Read more>>

Gabrielle Czapla | Portrait Photographer

Well, it wasn’t something I planned from the start. I was actually studying exercise physiology with the intention of becoming a physician’s assistant. But then, a friend asked me to take her graduation photos during college, and that’s where it all began. She was six months pregnant, a first-generation student like myself, and I felt those moments deserved to be captured. Read more>> 

Gabriel Azcarate | Multimedia Visual Designer

Since I was a child my parents used to sign me up for art classes during my weekends and summer months as a kid, which has influenced me to pursue a creative career. I learned the fundamentals of art and continued throughout the years expanding on my knowledge. I knew it would be difficult to make an income off art, so in high school I researched different areas of art professions that I feel would benefit in the long term. Read more>>

love ave. | love ave. | Music Producer, DJ, Engineer

I’ve always been a creative person. Throughout my life, I tried to pursue multiple different types of art forms at least once; I went through multiple school years in choir but never sang outside of school, then I tried to be a painter and experimented with different types of pencils, brushes, etc; then I wanted to become an author and wrote a rough draft for two different books (both of which I never released); Read more>>

Amy Verive | Aesthetician

I am an artist and I am happiest when I am creating something beautiful. I started out as a portrait artist which is what made me feel like makeup artistry would be my absolute favorite thing ever and I was right. It was one thing to apply techniques to myself, but when I started giving makeovers to friends and girls in highschool who wanted a beauty mentor, it became so rewarding. Read more>>

Ella Gonzales | Journalist

I never thought I would end up as a journalist, let alone a writer, but I knew I always wanted to be in an industry where I could connect with people. Growing up, I was always a good writer– my dad has been telling me since I was in fifth grade, I just didn’t care to listen. But in high school was when I realized I wanted to have a public voice so when choosing majors, I went with journalism. Read more>>

Andy Pham | Andy Pham | Producer & DJ

Coming from Vietnam, where my parents brought me over to America for a better life that follows the immigration trope, there was never really any room for creative exploratory or pursuit. The expectation from my parents & broader family was simply to go to school, get good grades, and stay out of trouble. This kind of upbringing instilled an invaluable sense of discipline where I am beyond thankful for but left me feeling too structured that stifled any idea of me pursuing anything within the creative arts. Read more>> 

Myloh Remora | Experimental Hip Hop Artist

Believe it or not! ,it pursued me. I never woke up in the morning thinking that my creativity would be my favorite aspect of life. It just happened,Everytime I got a new album I’d learn every lyric to it.Id mentally soak and squeeze every fabric of it, I even knew what parts of which songs I’d get butterflies in my stomach too.I had been journaling since “Doug” was on Nickelodeon and that journaling transitioned into poetry which ultimately became music. It’s crazy to look back at that. Read more>>

Linda Liepina | Photographer

I’ve always found people endlessly fascinating, especially in the way moments and memories weave through their lives. My journey into photography began with a simple act: capturing snapshots of me and my friend. Over the years, our shared folder became a treasure trove, spanning more than a decade of memories. In those images, you could trace the evolution of our faces and bodies, the shifting hues of our hair, and even the ebb and flow of our tastes and trends. Read more>>

Kamryn Lovett | Makeup Artist & Licensed Esthetician

I decided to pursue a creative career mainly because the arts give me fulfillment. As a little kid I’ve tried all kinds of sports and flipped between different career fields throughout high school, but always found myself coming back to the arts. Once I discovered what jobs I could have as an artist, I immediately worked to pursue it and I never looked back. Read more>>