We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Laurel McConkey | Harpist, Singer & Pianist

I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t music in my life. One of my earliest memories is waking up to J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor blaring on the stereo. I was picking out melodies on the piano by the time I was four, although I didn’t start formal lessons until I was ten years old. Read more>>

Samantha Davis | Small Business Owner

Honestly, it’s something that I’ve been wanting to do for as long as I can possibly remember. I didn’t really think about doing anything else, even though I know that in this day and age, I’m going to have to do something else alongside my shop to help to supplement it. Still, it’s something that I hope to bring more to the forefront and focus solely on that. It’s something of a long term goal I’ve set for myself, while I experiment on what kind of products, what mediums work best for me. Read more>>

Jake Farmer | Haunted Attraction Creator & Travel Vlogger

I never really thought of it as pursuing an artistic career, so to speak. I’ve always just spent time on things I found to be fun, which often requires creativity to some degree. The more you do something, the more the “less fun” parts (like the business aspects, etc.) just become part of the overall thing you’re trying to accomplish. Something about it is instinctual and in your youth you may not realize that. Read more>>

Hannah Graham | Artist, Dancer

Artistic is an adjective meaning having or revealing natural creative skill. Creative is an adjective meaning relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. I have never wanted anything more then to pursue an artistic career, I had a big imagination as a kid, writing, drawing, painting, and dancing everything I could imagine. It officially clicked when I was 15 that this is what I was going to do, nothing else, this is plan A fully committed, there was no such thing as plan B. Read more>>

Deborah DuPont | Owner – Agave Sky

I always enjoyed color, form and style. I worked my way through college selling hand painted clothing to the other students. After graduation I took a job with an advertising firm and left the very first day. I wanted to do my style, not someone else’s. I started my first career as a painter and photographer and my second as a boot, shoe and handbag designer, Never easy, always fulfilling. Read more>>

Barbara Cameron Wilson | Pet Collar and Accessories Artist

I’ve been creative my entire life. Growing up I was the kid who created a variety of games the neighborhood kids could play. When I was small my mother taught me to sew and cook. I continue to search for recipes and love cooking new dishes for my family. I have sewed a wide variety of things; aprons, curtains, clothing I even made my own wedding dress.  Read more>>

Geeti Singhal | Artist

From a young age, I was conditioned by societal pressures, education, and my surroundings to believe that success meant achieving top grades, securing prestigious jobs, owning a house, and conforming to societal expectations. Despite obtaining an MBA degree and working in the corporate world for some time, I always felt an inner desire for a different path. Read more>>