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.

Shaomin Kee | Business Owner, Climate Activist, & Artist

I pursued an artistic and creative career because I believe that art is an incredibly powerful tool for raising awareness and driving change, especially in the context of climate change. While climate science and STEM fields are vital in addressing this global crisis, art offers a unique and often underestimated way to connect with people’s emotions and convey the urgency of the issue. Throughout my life, I’ve been passionate about art and its ability to communicate complex ideas and emotions. This passion led me to establish my business, Keewi Creations, which is centered around creating climate awareness comics and related merchandise. Read more>>

Marquis Glisson | Celebrity Makeup Artist

I pursued a creative career in the beauty industry for becoming a cosmetic therapist. When women leave my chair knowing how good they feel inside and out means the world to me. To know that just by conversing and using the skills that I was given to achieve such talented works of art. To then have it displayed on such amazing women is what I cause a true calling. Read more>>

Rambo Rowe | Entrepreneur, Photographer, Curator

I pursued a photography career for the love of the art. The love of capturing a moment in time, the fulfilling feeling of taking a photo as clear or even more clear than the human eye. The subject can vary, whether it’s humans, plants, animals, landscapes, or products. Capturing a photo is like capturing time, stopped for just a moment. In every way it’s a time capsule. The essence of photography is important for humanity and history, and is crucial to have a physical copy of a moment in time. Read more>>

Juan Velaasco | Production Designer

Since I was a kid I had the urge to create things, buid, draw, paint As I was growing up i thought it was directed to an engineering. Lately, when I was in college i found out that what actually called my name was Mexico. But while I was studying the major I started watching a lot of videos of special effects makeup. Something caugt my attention about it, I still can’t say what was it, but I noticed that I could use the same techniques that I was learning at my major for the things I was doing in makeup. Later on, one of my friends that was involved in the film industry got an opportunity for a short film as min makeup artist. She invited me to be her second in command. Read more>>

Joseph Taylor | Chef & Media Executive

Honestly, it’s always been in my heart. In the past, I’ve held jobs that did not challenge my creativity and I always found myself doing things to make the job more interesting or fun for me. I would make up games not only to pass the time but to literally not die from boredom. I began writing in my free time and even desired a career in the literary arts but soon came to realize that I needed a creative outlet that could sustain my lifestyle. When I became a chef, I was allowed to create in a way that I had never done before and it was liberating. Read more>>

Steven Colbert | Videographer, Editor, Educator, & Artist

I chose to pursue a creative career because I have experienced careers that are not artistic or creative and I did not enjoy that feeling. While working in non creative fields I felt as if I were a walking zombie, or going through the daily motions. Once I started working in a creative field everything changed. I understand that I am working however it does not feel that way, my father always told me to “do something you love, because if you do, you’ll do it for free and never get tired of it.” So what I love doing is being creative and using art to bring ideas to life. Read more>>