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.

Joanna Cutri | Artist and Dog Mom

NOT being a professional artist was ever an option. I have been doing this for so long that I can’t imagine not doing it. I’m in it for the long haul. I took art classes when I was a child but it wasn’t until I attended LACHSA and studied art in Italy with the University of Georgia that I became really focused. I really started to understood this aspect of myself- I HAD to create. I could create anything and this thing I did was mine and it came from me. Read more>>

Ceez Cerulean | Founder and artist

The interesting thing is that my journey into the 3D printing world came on a simple whim one day. I’ve been in the pharmacy industry for most of my adult life which is the complete opposite of what I do with CryptoCreations as one can imagine. I remember as a kid and teen, I was very much into drawing, painting and designing. I’d spend endless hours and days just creating and getting into “the zone.” When I turned 18, I kind of had to let it go and pick a major in college in which I could “make more money.” Well, that didn’t pan out ultimately and I just had to get a job to make ends meet. Read more>>

Stephanie Kabalan | Filmmaker & Photographer

Being creative comes from within, I believe it was born with me. I grew up in family where my father value arts, When I was a kid, I used to tell my parents that one day I will touch the TV to go through it and stay there. That was a dream and by time it became true. I studied interior design for 3 years then pursued a bachelor degree in Multimedia. My first job was in a TV station back in my home country, Lebanon. Read more>>

Renie Bartman | Charcoal Artist & Photographer

I pursue an artistic career because it truly is my passion. When are are fully committed to doing something you love not only are you fulled on a personal level, you are able to give 110% to truly become the best at that career. When you are working a career, a job you are not truly passionate in, not truly happy doing you never commit to that level. You are never really going to be in a position to be the best at something you hate doing. You have to have a love for it. A love so deep you stay up all hours to produce work that has the most impact. Thats how championships are made, that’s why artists like Van Gogh, Michelangelo, Frida are still relevant. The love for their career bleeds through to the results. Read more>>

Alex Henning | Booking agent, owner of Whist Bookings

I am a music passionate since I was a child and several years ago I wanted to try to enter into the music industry. I was able and had the luck to start to work with any international labels and from there I started to get several contacts in the business which allowed me to build during the years my own brand Read more>>

Chanelle and Ryan Whitacre | Photographer

Ryan and I (Chanelle) – combined is where we got rynell from ~ We’re dating for 7 years before we got married. Throughout our relationship we took trips and always brought a camera with us to document our special moments and adventures in our late teens. Fast forward to Covid – a friend of ours asked us to shoot his wedding when his original photographer cancelled on him. I said yes not knowing what I was getting myself into but I knew I wanted to help. How hard could it be? I went and bought a used DSLR and drowned myself in YouTube for two months. Read more>>

Talia Zales | Author of A Phone for Christmas

One day, someone asked me who I am. I quickly replied that I’m a mom, a wife, a teacher, etc… and this person’s response was that that is who I am for other people. “Who are you for yourself?” she asked. That was such a profound question. I realized that I am so many things for so many people, but–at the time–I wasn’t anyone for myself. I needed to stop and think: what are the things I enjoy in my free time? I then laughed: “What free time?” (If you’re a mom, I’m sure you understand.) Read more>>

LILIANA TRUJILLO | GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Although it’s not my career it is a hobby that has turned into my passion & my therapy. I realized I couldn’t stop graphic design, the more I create the more I love what I do. My brain won’t stop, always thinking of new ideas & new creations, I turn on my Pandora, put in my earphones, get comfy, cozy & play my favorite playlist. I let my mind flow, sketch & create to be able to show my fan art through my creations. Putting a smile on people’s faces is what makes me happy & I knew I had to pursue what I love to do! Read more>>

Sue Thompson | painter

A series of events and life changing decisions opened up an opportunity to redirect my life at the age of 45. I litereally had to start over and made the committment to do things differently. I finally took that “painting class” I always wanted to take. When I completed a somewhat simple painting I realized “oh, I’m an artist”….never with the intention of selling but just the satisfaction that after all the years of internal struggle, I realized my sense of self. The only way forward from that point was to pursue a creative life. Read more>>