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.

Skye Walker | Artist, Muralist, Designer & Creative Director

I have been an artist since I could hold a crayon. From a young age, I was always drawing and sketching. When I was 9 years old, I wrote a letter to the creator of Garfield comics, Jim Davis, and told him how much I loved his cartoons and sent him some of mine. To my disbelief, he sent a letter back, on his official Garfield letterhead and told me to keep up the good work. I was so elated that I looked at my mom and told her I was going to be an artist for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Neo Pina | Photographer

I pursued photography because of how creative you can be with it. There are no limits to it, any photo idea you come up with is able to be pursued. Photography is also a process of finding your own style. There’s always something new to learn. For some, it could be learning the basics or learning to connect with people. Photography has had a big impact on my life. It has been my passion ever since I was a kid and to still be able to enjoy it and pursue it means the world to me. One thing that I can for sure promise is that I do see myself doing photography for as long as possible. Read more>>

Justin Shimrock | Tattoo Artist

Ever since I was two years old, I have taken pencil to paper and felt compelled to create. I would build homes in the mud for small creatures, make little gifts for friends at school, play with blocks and colors in my free time. I was always seeking to make something in a way that I could pass it on, I found that in art and tattooing. Being able to sit in front of another person and ink their way into a more comfortable version of themselves is a reminder every day why I chose this for my career! Read more>>

JiMin Kwon | Philosopher, Model, Singer-Songwriter

I’ve always loved singing and dressing up since I was a little girl. After I started my PhD, however, I suppressed my need to express myself through music and fashion because I didn’t want to draw the wrong kind of attention. Wearing makeup and eccentric clothing always did in the academic setting, which only worsened my feelings of being an imposter. Mid-graduate career and one month before the pandemic, a photographer asked me to come in for a test shoot. Read more>>

Marty Sanchez | Musician and Artist

I pursued a creative career because I love making things, putting things together. Since I was a kid I’ve loved LEGO and other building toys. I love turning an idea into a physical thing, whether that be a song, a painting, or pants covered with patches. Read more>>

Amy Colleen | Musician, Promoter, and Marketing Consultant

I have been singing since before I could talk. Dancing since I was three. Writing music since I was seven. I grew up spedning all my time creating and performing and taking ALL the classes that involved music, art, and creativity. Art was in my blood, and I never had the option to do anything else, nor did I want to. Sometimes you realize you were created to do something, and you cant escape it. No matter what I did, it always came back to music. Read more>>

Lisa Bryson | Studio Artist

My drive has always been to find a purpose and direction for my life that is centered on creativity, inspiration and expression. My brain is wired in a way that “sees” things a little different. Tapping into that special weirdness is exciting and fuels my everyday existence. Documenting life, developing a narrative that is understood and quite possibly shared by others through an artistic platform remains a constant. I connect to the world around me through active observation, art allows me to comment, shape, and rearrange life’s everyday moments. Read more>>

Vanessa Morrow | Graphic Artist & Wall Accent Painter

From an early age, I found art to be a huge part of my life. I can remember when I was 5 or 6, I picked up a sharpie and started outlining my wall sockets. I just knew I wanted to try it. My wall art collection grew and grew over the years, my room was my own personal canvas. It was filled with collages of skateboarding and music posters. I also participated in a lot of disciplined extracurriculars in my youth, including ballet, karate, and tennis. I fondly remember obsessively watching the Food Network, as a child. As a teenager. Read more>>

Emily Bertucci | Fine Artist & Preschool Art Teacher

I’ve been painting ever since I was born and I haven’t stopped since. Creating has a been the only constant in my life. I never saw myself doing anything else but pursuing a life of art. Fortunately, I’ve found ways to turn my passion into a career. Read more>>

Star Bourgoyne | Artist & Entrepreneur

I pursued an artistic career because at my core I’m a creator. You know, some people are teachers, healers, leaders, and my role on this earth and in society is a creator. I’ve always been creative, and my creativity goes beyond art. I can create in various areas and overall, I have a really good eye for putting things together and turning nothing into something. Growing up I tried so many different things. I was an athlete for about a year or two, I was a musician for about 6 years, Read more>>