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.

Melo Black | Comedian & Barista

Well I always knew I wanted to write. My mom’s a writer and I’ve always been fascinated by it. Sports is where I thought I was going to head with it and that dream fell by the wayside for a bit. About four years ago with some pushing and prodding by some friends of mine, in addition to losing my job and having more time on my hands as a result. I performed Stand Up for the first time and fell in love with comedy and realized my writing dreams weren’t dead after all. Read more>>

Quonesha Walton | Nail Technician

I was always getting my nails done and wanted to be more creative myself. Nails are very interesting because it allows you to do the unthinkable. Just go with the flow and you’d be surprised how the ending turns out. I really love doing nails. NeshaGlamNails will be on top soon. Read more>>

Sean Fontenot | Custom Sneaker Artist aka Color Me Fresh

I’ve always been a creative person and loved to paint and draw, but never considered it for a career. After a very short stint of trying to sale my art as 18-year-old, I quit within three months; I was only concerned with making money. After a 12-year hiatus, towards the end of 2019, I got inspired to pick up the paint brush again. I started painting more regularly and creating custom designs, then COVID hit. I wasn’t able to work my job, which allowed me to paint all day and all night. I realized that was my safe place, my sense of peace, the excitement of my day, and that’s when I knew I was finally in pursuit of my career. Read more>>

BrassiousMonk | Rapper, Producer

To be honest, I didn’t feel I had any other choice. My soul just isn’t moved by traditional pursuits, and believe me, I’ve tested that theory. Art and creativity have just always been a part of me; being an unconventional thinker, I wanted to be a cartoonist when I was a child. My mom had been pushing the whole lawyer thing on me most my life; claiming its because I could “argue” about anything, but I wasn’t for all the moral ambiguity and book work(hahaha). Around my junior/senior year of high school I took a class called “Computer Art” and I was hooked. I knew for sure art life was for me; I just knew. Read more>>

Tataianna Devers | Healthy Hair Care Consultant

I Pursued an artistic /creative career because my friends would always ask me to do their hair growing up. Around the age of 14 my mother allowed me to start being creative with my own hair. At that age I was doing things like cutting my own hair in certain trending styles. That was the beginning of my future as a Cosmetologist. Read more>>

Murcialago | Music Producer/ writer

Since a child I’ve always been into art and music. Now, I haven’t drawn anything in years but my hands still get pretty damn active due to music creation. I don’t know, it’s just something about being able to sit back and look at or listen to something that you created that gives me sort of a rush! I started out as a rapper but decided to dive into music production because I figured who knows what I’d want to rap to better than ME!?! This journey has taken me many places and I’ve been able to piece together so much inspiration from different surroundings and people! The life of a creative can be a little crazy because not everyone gets it at first and some never get it at all… Well, that’s until you make it. Then it’s “We knew you could do it” lol! Read more>>