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.

Chase Mack | Story Artist/Director

I grew up on animation, specifically cartoons when I was younger. When I was around 8, I realized I wanted to direct an animated feature film when I grew up. The thought of potentially directing at Disney or Pixar kept me going to develop my own ideas and characters. It made me express who I am and the outlet made it capable for me to express what’s inside my head to the world. Read more>>

Keith Dixon | Fashion Designer

Being prior Army and deploying a lot as a service member and civilian can have some wear and tear on your mental health. I was in a huge depressive downward spiral after being told that I wouldn’t be able to deploy anymore after injuries I suffered in Afghanistan. I would try everything to clear my mind and nothing seemed to work but being creative. Read more>>

Rodney Aquino | Director and Content Creator

Well, I’ve always had a creative and artistic mind. I have always loved art in all facets. I use to draw and paint when I was younger and wrote short stories up through my teens. I wanted to go to art school to actually design safety features in automobiles because I had a good friend die in an accident. Read more>>

James Cookson | Photographer

I’ve always wanted to do something artistic in life. In middle school is when I really became invested in music by learning how to play guitar and letting that consume my life and then learning the piano in high school. Read more>>

Alexis Wolfe | Poet & Song Writer

I pursued an artistic career because I understood the power of art. I know how it transcends time and space. I’ve seen the emotion it can invoke and how it can propel someone forward and assist them with healing. Once I realized the influence and mastered my own artistic expression, I wanted to contribute to that so I went for an artistry career. Read more>>