Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Gregg DaCosta | Filmmaker

When I started I just wanted to create stories and have people see my creativity across the world, but as I got older I realized that I wanted my stories to add value in someone’s life so I started to create stories that talk on mental health issues. I would always hope that with what ever stories I create it would hopefully impact someone’s life in a positive way. Read more>>

Emma Jean Scott | Actress/Writer/Director

I always knew that I needed to do something creative. From the time I was little all I was doing was writing stories, drawing (poorly, I might add), and singing around the house. I remember when I was in elementary school my friends and I used to parade around the playgrounds pretending we were characters from ‘Harry Potter’- casting spells at innocent bystanders who simply stared at us while we were completely engrossed by the fantasy. Soon after that, my grandpa started taking me to see musicals and plays at local colleges/theaters. It was a touring production of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ that I have my most vivid memory: I was sitting in the front row of the balcony, leaning (dangerously) over the edge to get a better look at the performers. It was at this moment that the chandelier dropped- and at this theatre they had it swing out over the audience. I was AMAZED. The audience had such an intense reaction and the actors on stage made it seem so real. It was in that exact moment that I knew I wanted to be a performer. Of course, I grew up and did a whole lot of theater. More recently I’ve been branching out into directing and circling back to my early days of writing. Being creative really makes me feel free, and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. Read more>>

R.J. Atkins | Actor, Writer, and Multifaceted Visionary

My journey began in the small town of Palestine, Texas, where my paternal grandparents raised me as an only child. It wasn’t until the age of 14 that my siblings finally entered the scene, making those early years a landscape of solitude infused with a vivid imagination and a knack for crafting characters and stories. Read more>>

Joana Knezevic | Actress, director, performance artist & educator

When I was ten-year-old actress and started to discover the world of theater art and acting I clearly remember why I decided to pursue my acting career. The reason behind it was simply to make people laugh and to make people happy. As I matured and matured, it was clear that I wanted to tell the important stories of people whose voice is unheard. Giving people hope to forget or to solve their problems and be able to talk about them out loud was my goal when I entered the Academy of Performing Arts. Story and people are always behind my art and huge love for humanity. Read more>>

Cristina Delgado-Fuller | FX artist & Photographer

I have always been involved in the arts for as long as I can remember. With my dad having the talent to draw and paint, I naturally became interested in the field and began drawing for fun. While involving myself in artistic practices throughout school, I was introduced to many different mediums and forms of art. Photography has always been my main passion, but then it later evolved into FX makeup. I have always enjoyed film and attempting to create imagery that I would see in my mind. Photography and special effects makeup are great combination for attempting to achieve my artistic goals. Read more>>

Sheldon Kearse | Photographer

I pursued a creative career to make art and most importantly have the freedom to create what I want and see through images. Also being able to bring other people’s vision to life through photos. Read more>>

B. Mechele | Plus Size Model & Influencer

I decided to pursue an artistic career as a plus model because it something that I’m passionate about. Most of the time I get to be in control of my own creative process when it is time to shoot. I get to pick out my own clothes, accessories & hair styles when I shoot. Although I am fairly new to modeling (2 years in) I want this to be my career, I want to be a paid model who works with big brands and my face is in major stores. Having an artistic & creative career is fun. You are always thinking of something new to do. Read more>>