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.

Samantha Green | Photographer & Editor

The reason I pursued an artistic career was, and is to break away from reality and be more social. I’m a pretty shy person, and like many women confidence has always been a struggle. Photography became my way of speaking out and pushing me to be more outgoing. It’s not just about expressing myself; it’s taught me how to communicate better and connect with people every day. In this field, you’ve got to pass on confidence to your clients, and that starts with having it yourself. Read more>>

Erica Quist | Graphic Design Artist

I am Erica Quist – I was born in St. Louis , MO! Raised in Atlanta , Ga. I chose to purse an artistic career , because it was my outlet from all of the mental break downs I was having. I suffer from depression and anxiety, and besides my family support. I would have really had a breakdown! Read more>>

Farm House | Indie band

Because it’s fun! Life shouldn’t be taken too seriously and strict, being a little weird and creative that’s what makes life interesting! Pretty much anybody who has ever done anything is usually a pretty interesting and strange person. And I feel like that’s a very good thing. Read more>>

Vee Jackson | Owner of Vee’s Vintage Sweets and Cake Snob

I love expressing myself, I enjoy not fitting into the “corporate box” and let’s be honest, that gets boring after a while. Years ago when my great grandmother found out I was pregnant, she gave me a brown paper bag. In that bag was a collection of her recipes (magic). I told her thank you and I put the bag in our storage room and forgot about it. Then one day, I decided to try one of her recipes and it was a Pineapple Upside Down Cake, it was delicious. I then tried the Italian Cream Cake, another success. It was actually my son, Dwight, who told me to start a Facebook page for my business, he was my first follower. From there is where the creative bug bit me and I knew I wanted to have a business, my business where I can take vintage recipes, mostly Southern and give them a modern flair. I’ll never forget the first market I did, I made my great grandmother’s pecan pralines. A husband and wife came to my table and asked about them. He took one bite and tears came to his eyes, then I started tearing up. He told me he hasn’t had pralines, since his grandmother passed, it reminded him of her pralines. That was a special moment for me. And that is one of the reasons why I do what I do. It brings me joy to create confections that bring back memories of being in the kitchen with our grandmothers/great grandmothers. Read more>>

Barbara Cox | Singer, Songwriter, Inspirational/Gospel Recording Artist

The artistic/creative career actually pursued me! Every since I was a little girl, I would hear songs while sleeping. Even though I was very very shy and tried to avoid this gift because of the hatred and anxiety that comes with it, God keeps pouring songs into me. My passion is to release each song as someone’s soul is attached to each message. I am not just a songwriter but a messenger from God. Read more>>

Remy | Master Loctitian

From a young age, I’ve been driven by creativity – my mom fondly recalls how I’ve always had this spark. Being a Virgo, it feels like an inherent part of who I am, allowing me to express myself uniquely and passionately through my art. This lifelong connection to creativity has guided my choice to pursue a career where I can continue to nurture and share this innate gift. Read more>>

Meredith Tompkins | Cosmetologist & Makeup Artist & Studio Owner

I fell in love with makeup as a six year old little girl. My grandmother would give me beauty samples from her favorite department stores and I would play with them for hours. It gave me a feeling of freedom, self-confidence, happiness, creativity and pure bliss. This evolved into me putting make-up on my friends in high school. When I got my first car, I discovered the beauty counters at the Mall and I felt like a kid in a cosmetic candy land. From there I became the youngest Southeast Educator for Victoria’s Secret Beauty. Afterwards, I worked for a cosmetologist and began doing make-up at weddings on the side and found my career calling. I went to New York City two decades ago to get trained and then founded my own airbrush makeup business in Augusta, Georgia, Bella Faccia, LLC. I was the first and a pioneer of this make-up technology in Augusta. From airbrush to hairbrush, I have specialized in weddings and special events from Beverly Hills celebrities to million dollar brides. My passion is making women flawless and beautiful on the most important and photographed day of their lives. My motto is “I’m only as good as the last make-up I did,” so I am constantly striving for perfection in my craft. Read more>>