We asked some of the city’s leading artists and creatives to tell us about how they decided to pursue an artistic or creative career. We’ve shared some highlights below.

Rick Hernandez | Creative Producer

I pursued a creative career because it fulfills me in ways that other career choices could not. I love the process of taking an idea and making it a reality. Storytelling. Capturing the emotion and essence of the moment, Helping others share their story through motion pictures. As the old saying goes “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Read more>>

Chuhan Li | Illustrator & Visual artist

As an artist, I am constantly drawn to the act of creation. From the earliest moments of my childhood, I found myself doodling and drawing, constantly seeking out new ways to express myself visually. Even in the most mundane of circumstances, whether it was during class or while taking exams, I would find myself lost in the act of drawing, lost in the world of my own imagination. Read more>>

Muriel Seoyeon Choi | Motion Graphic Designer

Creative jobs, such as motion graphic design, offer a unique and rewarding experience that appeals to many individuals. These jobs require the ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to complex problems. For me, the freedom to create and experiment is what draws me to creative careers. Read more>>

Erin Cawthon | Personal Stylist & Registered Nurse

I’ve always been a creative individual and fashion has been a passion of mine since I was young. Styling clients fosters a unique channel for my creativity and my personal expression and has allowed me to thrive as a human being. I have always set aside time and made styling one of my main priorities because it something that makes me genuinely happy even while maintaining the balance of being a wife and a full-time registered nurse. Read more>>

Zeeggy Mercy | Freelance Creative Artist, Model and Dancer

It all started when I was a little girl who fell in love with dance. Dancing became my outlet. It’s something that makes me feel a whole with myself when l am falling a part, so it became a part of me. I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career when I started modeling in 2019. Being in front of the camera is how the world made sense to me. Read more>>

Jzadé Forté | Artist | Digital Media Production Director | Creative Project Manager

Both my mother and father were music artists, and by the age of four I had developed a sincere passion for performing and playing instruments. I spent much of my younger years touring with my mother, recording and producing in my fathers studio, and singing in my grandparents church choir. Read more>> 

Jared Caleb | Talent Agent

Ever since I could remember, I wanted to be a doctor- a pediatric cardiologist to be exact. I held onto that dream all through grade school and into high school. Most people who wanted to be doctors were studious and stayed out of trouble. Although an A student, I talked A LOT. Read more>>

Cai Burks | Sequential Artist & Illustrator

Honestly, it’s all I’ve ever known! I like to say that I was born with a crayon in my hand. I grew up around artists in my family, all hobbyists but incredibly talented. There are quite a few painters on my mom’s side of the family. I remember being around 6 and asking my mom to draw my favorite cartoon characters for me. Read more>>

Francis Macharia | Musician

Growing up, I was good at a lot of things but never really passionate about any of them. As such, I never really knew what I wanted to be. My immigrant parents wanted me to be a doctor, and my teachers wanted me to be everything else. Read more>>

Chris Febo | Singer-songwriter

I came from a Salsa musician family, everyone knows at least one instrument, my father play conga, my uncle play trumpet and have two cousins that are music producers , beat makers, plays sax and trumpets so it was all over my family. I was the only one that wanst in to music untile I realize the talent I have to compose songs and melodies untile I take the same path at age of 23. Read more>>

Areli Hernandez | Nail and Lash Technician

To be honest I dropped out of College to pursue a career in Cosmetology. I was in my 3rd year pursuing a nursing degree. I asked myself where I saw myself in 10 years and it definitely wasn’t at a hospital. I had my parents full support and they agreed to pay for Cosmetology school. Read more>> 

Laura Vargas | Production Designer

Since I was little, movies, music and art in general have been my safe space, a source of fascination and learning, and most importantly, a way in which I understand my own life and experiences. A career in arts, however, was not something I had considered originally.  Read more>>