Deciding to pursue an artistic or creative career path isn’t for the faint of heart. Challenges will abound, but so many of the artists we speak with couldn’t be happier with their choice. So, we asked them about how they made the decision in the first place.

Mo Lecis | Illustrator and Graphic Designer

I was born in a family of art collectors and artists on both sides, and my mom was the one to always take us to new exhibitions in museums and art galleries. She was friends with artists and curators too, so I’ve tiptoed in that world growing up. But I was always a creative child. And even in high school, when I rejected the idea of becoming an artist or going to art school, it kept finding its way back to me. It’s a little ironic that that’s what I identify myself as. Read more>>

Terrell Walker | Painter, Jeweler, & Experimentalists

It started when I was in high school. With not many friends and disinterest beyond the minimum for schooling, I for painting to be my calling, or so I thought. It wasn’t just painting I feel in love with, it was the act of creation. Taking somethings potential and forming it into something new or innovative, that’s why I pursued a creative career Read more>>

Matt Jefferson | Music Producer/Musician/Audio Engineer

At the end of the day I think it was inevitable, and the only career path that made sense for me. I began playing music at a very young age (not traditionally trained) and very quickly felt it was what I wanted to pursue. I spent my younger years working various restaurant, retail, sales, and call-center jobs etc, but always knew I’d rather eventually be doing something in music. Originally I envisioned being a recording and touring musician, and began working toward that goal throughout my late teens and early twenties. That led me to wanting to be able to create my own recordings, and once I started experimenting with recording my own music I was hooked. I didn’t even consider the fact that I may end up working as a producer/engineer working with artists on their music for a living for a quite a while. However, it naturally fell into place when I started getting asked by others if I’d be willing to help them record their music, and even began getting offered money to do so. This landed me in the position of being able to eventually cross over into producing, recording, and mixing music in place of other employment, and soon after that I began an internship at a professional recording studio, where I would eventually end up with the title of Chief Engineer. The process to simply get started making income took many years (around 10-15 years before I started seeing signs I could make a living with studio work, and ending up interning at a studio), and has all ultimately felt like the way things were supposed to go. I continued playing live music and writing with bands in my 20’s while building my career as an engineer/producer, and eventually got to tour the US and play a couple Canadian shows with a band I started with my friend Kyle Castronovo, but after that tour I ended up sinking deeper into my recording career and have been in that mode ever since, taking a bit of hiatus on playing music live and writing my own records. (about ten years has passed since then). I am grateful every day to be in my position and to do what I do for a living, and couldn’t imagine any other type of career or lifestyle for myself. The creative/artistic world is definitely home for me, and it’s inhabitants have a way of almost always feeling like family. I relate with creatives and musicians the most out of all humans, it feels to me, so it’s the one job where I can show up every day in my own flesh, truly being myself, and be rewarded for that. Read more>>

Evan Fraser | Musician/Producer in Dirtwire

Being an artist always felt natural. There’ wasn’t ever any doubt about it.
I just always knew. I was very lucky to have such encouragement and support from my family and some really amazing teachers along the way. Read more>>

Brie Pines | Amateur Adventurer + Photographer

I spent my early 20’s nose to the grind stone balancing D1 athletics and 3 majors in the pursuit of medical school. After being completely drained and turned into a shell of a human, my partner told me I could do anything I wanted to do. Read more>>

Laura MacLeod | Owner of ility

My professional background is deeply rooted in the spa industry, with a focus on holistic esthetics. I have always pursued a creative career and I believe that creativity is a significant factor for success in this field. In fact, holistic estheticians who can think outside the box have an advantage in providing personalized and unforgettable experiences for their clients. I was able to customize treatments, by tailoring them to each client’s unique needs, which allowed them to feel seen and heard, resulting in an overall sense of well-being and relaxation. Read more>>