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.

Ashlan Darsey | Stained Glass Artists

Like most creatives I’ve met recently I started doing stained glass over the pandemic. I was ( as well as all the folks I worked with) let go from my bar gig. After much panic and uncertainty I needed to find a routine and balance with my life. I started to paint on these old antique windows, I enjoyed it… but I wanted something that would take more time. Read more>>

Elizabeth Gottshall | Filmmaker & Artist

I didn’t know I was going to pursue a creative career, but I should have known because ever since I was a kid, art is what made me happy no matter what was happening in my life. Having a creative outlet when I was younger helped me tell stories, express my emotions, give me perspective, and meet some of the most amazing people. I find art to be incredibly unique to the human experience and key to connecting with others. Read more>>

Cam Villar | Creative and Marketing Professional & Artist

As a kid, I was always drawing, reading comic books, listening to music and drawing some more. I was heavily into science fiction, horror and hard rock. In my teens I drew some pictures for paying clients, and got into painting, graphic design and art history in college and felt I had found my calling. After being a musician and working in a record store for a few years, I decided I needed to get serious about a career. Read more>>

Latoya J. | Recording Artist

I didn’t pursue it, it pursued me. I didn’t come from a musical family. But as early as 6 years old, I can remember standing in my living in the Bronx; listening to Lisa Stansfield singing, “Been around the world and ay, yi, yi. I can’t find my baby”. I had a brush to my lips and knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. I’m music captive audience. Read more>>

East Goons | Sound Engineer/Producer & Fashion Model

I never was a school person. I always had the vision of becoming a mogul in my industry. However taking this route doesn’t come with much security. I knew from a young age If I really wanted to make my dreams true I would need to be proactive. Even with my high school graduation last month all I was thinking about was my next step. Read more>>

Thuy Tran | Artist

I wouldn’t call it a career, perhaps a lifestyle and passion. Creating art is powerful, it’s a beautiful way to explore yourself and the world around you. I decided to pursue art because it’s the sense of belonging I never had. Being an outcast in a world so dull, art helped me see life in color. I instantly fell in love with the colors around me, acknowledging that the world cannot run without art. So I create my art to show the world, that life can be as vibrant as you allow it to be. Read more>>

Brooke Christina | Model & Actres

I chose to pursue a creative career due to the fact that I never felt compelled or drawn to do anything other than create. The one thing I get to do is tell stories in my own way and help people not feel alone. Sometimes I enjoy getting to be someone other than myself. Trust me, I love myself more than anything but sometimes it’s nice getting away from the everyday pressures of being Brooke. Read more>>

 Inga and Evija | fabric artists & uplifting lifestyle

Creative career is very important to us because we can express ourselves to the fullest. We can be who we are. We can show our personalities through our designs and artistic lifestyle. We can create from our hearts. Creativity inspires us. It’s so much fun to upcycle/recycle different types of fabrics and clothing, giving new life to already used fabrics and on top of that we love to add different photography, images and words on our items for originality , expression and conversation piece. Read more>>

Joey Edwards | Music producer

my mother said that a lady ask her and my father if she could speak some words that that she had got from God… The woman told her that everything that her and father wanted to do in music will come through her seed.. and it’s been on ever since.. I love the joy I get from being creative. Read more>>

Ne’Tavia Ndongala | Actress, Model & Entreprenuer

I chose an artistic career because it allows me to express myself constantly and have freedom. I feel happy to work as an artist because I’m able to use my imagination and I think of things in a creative way. It does not feel like a job to me because I throughly enjoy it. Read more>>