What’s Your Why?

We asked some of the most creative folks we know to open up to us about why they chose a creative career path. Check out their responses below.

Jasmine White (@Besdress_) | Fashion Stylist

I’ve been creative and artistic before really understanding what it was. I just knew I was always different. When I started to really understand how talented I was it was in high school my freshman year when I began taking Fashion Design classes. Read more>>

Squid Sterling | Professional Wrestler, Musician

Throughout my entire life there have been two things that have remained consistent and those are my passion for music and professional wrestling. From when I was a little kid I was exposed to all different types of music from classic rock, hard rock, metal, grunge, pop, hip hop, the list goes on and it’s always expanding.  Read more>>

J. Stacey Grayson | Mixed Media Artist

I have always been a creative person, starting at a very young age. Over the years, I always had opportunities to utilize the natural skills and abilities that I possessed but I never considered pursuit of a career in a visual arts capacity. Read more>> 

Ela Faye Detecio | Graphic Designer

It was never even a option to pursue anything else. The alternative would make me miserable! I know it’s possible to have a non-creative career and pursue artistic hobbies on the side, but that’s just not enough for me. I need to be surrounded by creative people and be in an environment where design is essential to solving problems. Read more>> 

Forrest Evans | Licensed Librarian and Activist

To contribute to other great representations of Black Queer and Black Librarians. Librarians are superheroes and titans– libraries are the first place I explored my independence, the world and interests I’m so passionate about. Read more>>

Yuanhao Tang | Illustrator

I developed an interest in art at an early age, around the second grade of middle school. I used art as a means to escape the high-pressure school routine. It wasn’t until high school that I realized I could turn this passion into a skill to earn a solid income and start a career. Read more>>

Hannah Ali Burx | Vocalist, Dancer, Business Owner

I think being an artist chooses you. How you Interpret that into practice determines the success! You have to be willing to try things and work more hours than a regular job would ever ask of you, but that’s why you have to work so hard because your working for yourself. Read more>>

Rebekah Horne | Embroiderer & Designer at Gingham & Gold Designs

As a new mother, completely in love with my baby, I lost myself. I was lost in anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and – for a moment – I forgot all about creating beauty in my world. Read more>> 

Ashley McCants | Fashion Illustrator & Design Coordinator

Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about art and have always aspired to turn that passion into a career. My fascination with art and its power to convey emotions and ideas has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life.  Read more>>

Mel | Artist

Art has allowed me to ground myself in so many ways as a human. It felt like a calling to me. I was told by a producer that I should consider songwriting as a career, and that’s when I started to take the songs I would write alone in my room seriously. Read more>>

Lydia Tang | Illustrator&Concept designer

I’m glad that when I was very young, before the development of electronics, my world was full of beautifully illustrated children’s books, novels, and comic magazines, and by reading these illustrated books, I fell in love with reading and was able to easily comprehend the content of the written word and convert it into my own knowledge. Read more>> 

Daryle Good | Music Producer / Mixing Engineer

I love connecting with people thru music. Read more>>

Caroline Maddox | Artist, Yogi, Writer & Vice President of Advancement for South Arts

For as long as I can remember art has been at the center of my universe. From a young age, I danced, sang, and played the piano but did not dabble much in the visual arts until college. Read more>> 

Master Shekkor | Dance Music Producer, Artist, Singer, DJ, Recording Engineer, Voiceover Artist, Video Editor & Businessman

The moment I discovered my love for Dance Music after moving to Namibia. I knew that this was the path I wanted to follow through for the rest of my life. The feeling of discovering something that fulfills your soul is priceless. Read more>>