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.

Ren Dobson

Honestly, I never imagined myself doing anything else. I’ve been making art since I was practically in the womb. From a very young age, I was encouraged by my family to put my energy into the things that interested me, and I have always gravitated towards anything that allowed me to express myself creatively. Read more>>

Margaret Nicholson

I’ve loved singing and making music for as long as I can remember, and my mom tells me I used to perform in front of our fridge in my diaper and “fancy shoes.” I’ve seen the pictures and it’s quite a sight! Read more>>

Michael Alexander Morris

I work as an experimental filmmaker, but I support myself primarily through teaching art and filmmaking. I chose this path because I love teaching and helping student achieve their own artistic visions, but I also chose it because it supports my work as an artist and filmmaker. Read more>>

Gwendolynn Murphy

It seems that an artistic path kind of found me in a way. With the encouragement of my favorite elementary school teacher named Joy, I found myself singing and dancing a solo in my very first play. Somehow, being on stage seemed perfectly natural and even proved to be a much-needed outlet for an overly active and curious little girl. Read more>>