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.

Kyra Ehle | Illustrator & Concept Artist

There wasn’t a choice—simply no other way for me to live a fulfilling life if not through art. Like a computer, downloading and processing information in numbers and codes. For me, those zeros and ones are colors, light, movement, patterns; The world is a canvas. Read more>>

Sunjori Chambers | Visual Artist, Fashion Model/Designer

I would like to say an artistic career chose me, art has surrounded me since the day that I was born. My parents always made sure we were able to express our creativity, from music to visual arts. They made sure we had the knowledge we needed to grow our artistic abilities. I have always had thoughts of being a fashion designer or working in the “fashion industry” since a young girl. Read more>>

Naomi Garcia | Abstract Portrait Artist

I pursued an creative career because it’s what I’m most passionate about and it gives me the freedom to express my outlook on how I see things! Read more>>

Yi Fu | 3D Artist

Creating art brings me a sense of inner peace. It’s as if I’m nestled in a cozy forest cabin, watching gentle snowflakes cascade outside my window. Occasionally, I hear a soft crackle from the burning coals nearby. Seated by the window, I immerse myself in deep contemplation, focusing on my thoughts. Read more>>

 Logan Justine | Singer | Songwriter

I grew up singing in church and don’t want to waste the gift god gave me. Music is like therapy for me. Read more>>

Khrim Reaper | Artist

I decided to pursue an artistic career because i’m passionate about creating. When i’m passionate about something i find comfort in not only doing it, but, learning new things about it and getting better as well. Read more>>

Ashvinder (Ash) Rana | Artist (Ashthetic Art)

Although I have no formal training in art, I was always “artsy” from my younger days. However, as destiny would have it, my journey took me into an Information Technology career path initially for more than 20 years now. It was only in 2016 that I started following my artistic passion as a hobby in the form of creating Zentangle® inspired artworks (I will refer to this as ZIA hereafter) after having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis earlier that year. This artform ended up being quite therapeutic for me. Read more>>

Nakosha Briggs | Actress

Choosing an artistic route as a career was initially the furthest thing from my mind. Growing up, I wanted to be a an attorney. I’d even chosen my major for college based on that plan, all the while keeping the arts as part of my life. I was always in theatre, dance, poetry, and had trained vocally since the age of twelve. Artistic expression was how I stayed centered, and it brought me so much joy. Read more>>

Rob Eberle | Singer/Songwriter

I’ve always known that I’ve wanted to have a life and career in the music industry. I grew up with music. My dad has always been involved in the music industry and has always inspired me to go after all of my goals. My dad has been in a band called “Iridesense” for almost 30 years now. I still remember going to all of their gigs and begging to perform with them at only 5 years old. Read more>>

Charisse Sky | Singer-Songwriter, Producer & Entrepreneur

I’ve always known that I wanted to be a worldwide-famous singer, despite being told to pursue otherwise by the elders in my family that knows I am capable of doing many things. Music is quite literally my lifeline. Even if I never got paid a dime, I would still have to surround myself with music to get through my days. It is the oxygen in my blood. Read more>>

Yifei Pei | visual effects artist

I watched a lot of American movies when I was in high school, and the visual effects in the movie scenes were very shocking to me at the time. I think these things are really cool, but I don’t think I’ll do it in the future at that time. After high school, I’m going to college and have to decide what I want to major in, and I really don’t know. But I stumbled across Digital Media Arts (Visual Effects for Film and Television) on the list, so I thought “well, that’s an interesting name, I take this one” Read more>>

Tayleur & Zoe Dubord & Chavira | Florists

Tayleur: It happened so out of the blue for me. I never thought of myself as artistic or creative, so I focused mainly on books. I went to college and was on the path to a professional job. I discovered my love for floral work when I worked at Trader Joe’s. I would take some home and arrange and arrange and create. It became a hobby then a deeply rooted passion that I love every single day. Read more>>

Medino Green | Rapper / Hiphop Artist

I started off dancing at first but that was quickly short lived (lol). My relationship with music wasn’t as strong as it is today back then. Things picked up for me in middle school while i was in summer school. I always knew i was considered ‘different’ from the other boys growing up but i didn’t want them to know i was different if they couldn’t tell. Growing up in Queens you’re either hustling or being hustled, a Hunter or being hunted, eating or being eaten and i didn’t wanna be a target. Read more>>

 

Hudrats | Female Rap Duo

We decided to pursue an artistic career because of the ability to express and convey messages to people without actually speaking. We love the idea that a song can completely change someone’s mood or help them get through a situation & want to be apart of that. As former hairstylists, creativity is something that we have molded into our brain & decided to take the art form from creating a style, to creating a song. Read more>>

Greg Bussie | Rapper

I’ve always had an interest in music it’s literally been my favorite thing to do since I was in elementary school rapping at my daycare on an old karaoke machine Read more>>

Ana Markosi | Photographer

I’ve always had a passion for art and music. I’ve been drawing and painting since I could hold a pencil. I began singing in choirs in fourth grade and continued into my senior year of high school. I’ve experimented with photography on and off throughout my life. I had a need to create but no direction and few supporters, so when I started college, I did what I thought was best and started my path to become a social worker. Read more>>

Lauren deSerres | Mixed Media Fine Artist and Art Educator

I have wanted to be a visual artist and teacher of visual arts since I was in high school. I started to take my visual art career seriously when I discovered the School of the Arts in Winston Salem, NC during my junior year of high school. I decided to apply to NCSA’s high school visual arts program which was a very intimidating and competitive process.  Read more>>

J’vonte Lee | King of RealmScape Fest, Owner of Realm’s Workshop, Afro-Magicka & Quirky Fey

I wanted to pursue this creative lifestyle because i wanted to bring more representation and meet others like me. Growing up, i found it very hard to discover art or inspirations like me. So i thought id become that resource for myself and provide it to others that would search. I have done so through my DIY events, arts & crafts, social media influences and photography & modeling myself. I created community groups for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ To encourage more representation, provide options and discovery. Read more>>