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.

Brandi Pope | Faith & Beauty Influencer

I had done the corporate 9-5 gig for 20+ years. While it paid the bills, it was never something I was passionate or excited about… But I also never thought I could just switch gears in my 30’s to try something different. That terrified me! Read more>>

Torey Hartwell | Baker & Educator

I pursued a creative career because it allows me to express myself in unique and meaningful ways. Furthermore, this career continually motivates me to explore my creativity all while fueling my passion for lifelong learning. Read more>>

Chun Wang | Artist

Art, for me, is not just a form of expression but a mode of exploration and discovery. It’s a vessel that carries observations, emotions, narratives, and debates. In this realm, I find myself assuming various roles – sometimes as an archaeologist, delving into historical realities to unearth the roots of contemporary issues, and at other times as an astronaut, venturing into uncharted territories of imagination and creativity. Read more>>

Zach Bernstein | VFX and 3D Artist

At a young age, I never considered pursuing a creative career as a viable option. Growing up in South Florida with two teachers as parents, academic success held paramount importance in my family. I initially prioritized education over creative pursuits, drawn to the safety and stability of traditional career paths. However, my perspective shifted when I enrolled in a filmmaking class in high school. Climbing the ranks of the elective, my teachers not only encouraged my passion but also provided the resources for my creativity to thrive. This experience led me to realize that my job could also be a source of passion. It took time for me to grasp this concept, but once I expressed my interest in a creative career, my family wholeheartedly supported me. Read more>>

Selbi Rejepova | Director/Cinematographer

Born and raised in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, my journey into the world of storytelling began long before I set foot in the United States to pursue filmmaking. Growing up in a place with fewer entertainment options, I found solace and excitement in the movies. It may sound naive of me, but films and music became my gateway to a world where imagination, creativity and vision faced no limits, offering a welcome escape from the routine and at times boredom of everyday life. As much as I loved movies I often felt left out, with Central Asian people missing from my favorite films from around the world. Somehow that absence in itself reminds me clearer and louder of the purpose behind why I want to make movies before all else. I guess I just want to feel seen and heard. I view it as, filmmaking converges various art forms in one way or another and possesses a potent universal language that reaches everyone based on their willingness to feel, listen, be moved, and understand with an open mind. As a young adult watching movies, I witnessed Turkmen women generally depicted in traditional roles. Although these portrayals were dignified and beautiful in their own right, showcasing the unique culture of Turkmen people, in my opinion, they were navigating themes of life, love, courage, and heartbreak through a narrow lens. Yet, I am a sucker for a fresh perspective—a Turkmen woman as the central character in genres beyond the usual dramas. I crave to witness her in thrilling, experimental, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, or action settings, free to be anything she desires, breaking free from the expected narratives. Read more>>

Matt Q. | Artist & Creative Producer

Growing up, I felt like I was here for a bigger purpose & there was something about music and art that made me realize that it’s okay to go against the grain and tell your own story. This world is so big and the only thing that brings us all together is art. Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves, and for myself one day I would like to be a beacon for the unspoken. Representation is also very important for me and I know there are others out there like me. I believe that it was not a choice I made to pursue this creative path, but more like a story that has already been written, this was meant for me. Read more>>

Robin Calvo | Performance Artist – Screen Acting & Martial Arts

While growing up, I always had a passion for arts whether it was in theater and acting or the artistic side of martial arts and movement. I would often watch things on TV like Teen Titans and Avatar: The Last Airbender while jumping around like the characters would and shouting out the lines that they spoke. All of those things would make me so happy and excited to get up at 7:00am on a Saturday to watch TV just to be inspired by these arts. Read more>>

Christina Tjahjadi | 3D Animator & Character Illustrator

I never actually thought about pursuing an art career! But that all changed one day in high school when I found myself crying in a bathroom stall, a detention slip clutched in my hand. Earlier that day, my teacher had noticed me doodling and snatched away all of my drawings. She told me that drawing people without their consent was an invasion of privacy and threatened to bring me to the principal’s office. She told me to spend my time studying instead of drawing! What she didn’t know was that I had spent the previous night studying, and her words stung like a smudge on a fresh piece of art. Yet, in the midst of it all, I decided right there and then that I was going to pursue an art career. The fact that simple little doodles could affect me to the point of detention meant that my art could make an impact, no matter how silly they may be. Look at me now, Ms R! Read more>>

Olivia Griffin | Cake Artist & Baker

I purse an artistic career because I want to see how far my skills can go. Creating new things, coming up with new recipes, or making cakes look realistic, I strive to be better than the day before. Read more>>

Khaleel Kelly | Actor/Performing Artist/Philanthropist

I’ve been performing in one sense or another since I was seven. When it really clicked for me, “This is what I want to do”, was when I was offered a role as Rafiki in my high school production of The Lion King – which we had to title “A Lion’s Tale” cause of copyright. I remember the exact moment, I was on the top platform at the opening of the play, ready to open the show with The Circle Of Life. I had all my makeup on, the dashiki, some bamboo fingers, a head dress, and – of course – my staff. As the curtains opened up, and I looked out into the crowd, I felt this unmistakable electricity, confirmation that yes, this is the way, then I blew the roof of that place. After that, I decided to get a degree in the performing arts and have been acting for over a decade! Read more>>