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.

Brian Hebets | Fine Artist & Muralist

It was the only career path I’ve ever felt deeply connected to. I’ve always wanted to explore the unknown lands of the art world and carve out my own path. I was driven to take my talents and build a brand/ foundation that allows me to create things for the world to enjoy. Big murals, big paintings and nothing but badass products. Overcoming obstacles in pursuit of finding your space is always worth the fight. It’s what fuels the creative engine to never quit. My Grandmother, a Fine Artist and my first teacher, used to tell me all the time growing up to chase my dreams because “What if it’s bigger than you can imagine?” Another driving factor was that I didn’t want to look back later in life and regret not ever taking that leap. Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. Stay grounded and keep powering through challenges. Never know what rewards lie ahead. Read more>>

Samuel Campanella | Musician

I honestly had no intention of ever creating a rock ‘n’ roll band when I picked up a guitar at 18 years old, but to see where I’m at today, all I can say is that baby steps and blind faith led me to create Ritz Vanity. For me, I began to really fall in love with music in an obsessive fashion when I was 18. Connecting with music began through my voice where singing was my cathartic release, but after a while, it just wasn’t enough. I needed an instrument as a means to get closer to my favorite music. The electric guitar can be so expressive, and it is a foundational instrument to most of my favorite band’s music which lead me to gravitate towards it. To sustain and foster a deep connection to the music that changed my life, I stuck with the guitar through it all. Even after I learned all my favorite songs and was able to sing them and play all the lead and rhythm guitar parts together, there was still something missing. After a while I began writing my own music which eventually led to the formation of Ritz Vanity. To answer the question, I am pursuing an artistic career as a way to continue to connect with sounds that I am attracted to while creating my favorite music that doesn’t exist yet. Read more>>

Jona Deocampo | Photographer

I’ve always grown up with an appreciation for photography. My best childhood memories stem from my Grandma taking my cousin and I on our annual road trip to San Francisco. She would buy us disposable film cameras from the drug store and drive us to all the tourist locations where we could take photos of anything and everything. Later in life, my husband and I were fortunate to travel to some of the most beautiful places, where I discovered a genuine appreciation for photography. However, it was becoming a mom ignited my passion for capturing moments in time I thought were lost. I don’t have the best memory, so taking photos is one way I can bring myself back to a time that was once forgotten. As a mother, I realized how important photographs are because one day, your baby’s hand will no longer fit snug in yours. My husband is in the military, so he wasn’t home to capture those raw and real moments that happen in motherhood. When our first daughter was six months, I remember going through my phone and crying because I didn’t have any photos of her and I together. I decided to pursue a photography career because I didn’t want others to have that same regret. Photography is so much more than clicking a button; it’s the ability to encapsulate memories that will last a lifetime. Read more>>

Eric Hagen | Program Facilitator and Theatre Maker

I decided to pursue a career in creative arts for selfish reasons. I like to be in a creative environment, working intuitively and energetically toward a final “product” that entertains others. In all honesty, I also liked the attention and accolades that came with a career centered on public performance. Read more>>

Jose Rico | Artist

At first, it was family members who showed me the world of music, and through the years of trying things to find myself, I realized I keep coming back to the arts, putting more thought into it I see it, I am not naturally a person of much words, and I perceive reality as very complex; the rapidness in most circumstances in life don’t allow me to truly express what’s in my mind, neither it allows for other people to listen or comprehend the messages shared, verbal communication doesn’t satisfy me, I believe it’s difficult to connect. Read more>>

Tammy Dulla | Event Artist & Calligrapher, Founder of Ink & Innuendos

Believe it or not, I have always dreamed of pursuing an artistic career, but felt it was just an out of reach fantasy. From a young age, singing, dancing, performing on stage, creating art- these were all passions of mine. Still are! Growing up though, I created a strict plan and path for myself. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Health Science to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy. I even thought I would open my own private clinic. However, the real world kicked in a lot sooner in my personal life, and after college I was recruited by a large corporation. I dedicated several years to the corporate life and it ate away at my soul. In my executive leadership position, I would jump at any opportunity to be creative. I could have stuck to my new plan of climbing the corporate ladder because I knew I would keep moving up, but I just broke. Literally. I developed an autoimmune disorder from all those years of my body taking a beating mentally, physically, and emotionally. It wasn’t until I was recruited by another company that was more aligned with my creative passion, that I finally realized and asked myself “why am I not creating for myself?” “Why am I not turning my talent and passion into a full blown business?” “Why am I working this vicious cycle of a 9-5?” “Why am I allowing myself to be so unhappy?” Aside from my declining health at the time, all the signs were pointing me in the right direction- to pursue my own creative business. To trust myself. To admit I have way more to offer the world. To admit that I can choose my own happiness and passion. Let me just say, I will never go back to that life before entrepreneurship. I am finally stepping into my full potential, and I am just getting started. Read more>>