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.

Mariah Green | Photographer and Founder of JoiLuvv Creative Agency

I have always been a very creative individual. Not just creative in an artistic sense but always trying new things and having strong creative thinking and problem solving skills. My parents pushed me to go to college for something creative instead of my first game plan which was physical therapy at the time. They knew I was creative, Read more>>

Rob DeVenuto | Professional photographer with 20+ years experience specializing in portrait, headshots, landscape, nature, sports and travel photography.

My photography is an outlet for what I see in my head and feel within my heart. I believe in balance and have had a successful career in technology using the analytical side of my mind and personality. However, I needed a way to express myself as well. Despite many attempts over the years, I have come to the realization that I can’t draw or paint very well. Read more>>

Scarlette Guerrero | Soapmaker & Reiki Master

Art has always been a part of my life. My mother has been a Fine Arts educator since before I was born and I grew up with access to all sorts of craft mediums from watercolor paint, to seed beads, to cement even. Read more>>

 Shahin Kiyomarsi | Architect & Photographer

Growing up with a passion for design, I decided to go into the Architecture field as I’m currently a designer at an architectural firm in San Diego. Photography is a hobby I picked up along the way. Architecture and Photography are very similar in terms of how we envision the moment and the object. As designers, we design buildings with a purpose and story. Every building has a storyline similar to how every picture has a storyline. Read more>>

Tiffany Rachann | Musician. Author. CommuniTEA Educator.

Art is immaterial. I can’t imagine living without the luxury of such intricate expression. It’s the core of humanness and has an unusual way of connecting people to concepts and beliefs that may otherwise be out of reach. Read more>>

Sarah King | Artist and business owner

I have always loved to work with my hands. I enjoy expressing myself through Art. Art is not only a visual stimulant, but it is emotional, it can be treated like a therapy in itself. which is perhaps why I have stuck with being an Artist and Art school business owner. I love all the facets it has to offer. Read more>>

Lean Tristan | Creative Artist

I have been in love with art since I was a little kid. I started dancing and drawing at a young age and I even wanted to be a fashion designer; I guess deep down I always knew I wanted to be an artist. Growing up, however, I was raised to believe that being an artist was a hobby and not a real profession, Read more>>

Danity Zann | Drag Performer

I pursued a career in performing because there is no greater joy than transporting people out of the day to day, and letting them forget their reality. To see smiles, and hear an audience be in that moment with you is such a rush. Plus, who doesn’t want to live their best diva moment covered in glitter and sparkle? Drag is a great escape, and he brought out my inner super hero. Read more>>

Tobi Beck | Abstract Artist & Designer

To give myself a chance. To meet myself again. Building a creative career as a full-time artist is a second chapter for me after decades in corporate administrative roles and buried dreams. It’s a redemption of sorts for past sidesteps. Read more>>

Suzanne Waldowski Roche | Founder and Director, Jazz at the Ballroom

I’m not sure I consciously did. I’ve always love George Balanchine’s quote “I don’t want people who want to dance. I want people who have to dance” because it perfectly explains that people who go into creative careers “have” to (unless they find some way to romanticize a conventional, Read more>>

Dev Zakar & Sam Casinelli | Dubz n Dutchz

The main reason why we decided to pursue a creative career is because it give us the control to express ourselves in the way we want. Our main goal in life is to be in control of our own business by not having to grind for other people success. Read more>>