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.

Shawn Hess

Since I was a kid, choosing to pursue an artistic career never really felt like a choice I had to make; just felt like what I was going to do. I think this is a pretty common feeling among lifelong artists. Read More>>

Arvin Ram

I am someone who needs to feel that what they are doing everyday matters. My strengths are books and community and so whatever I can do to add to the literary identity of the place I live is deeply important to me as well as putting books in the hands of everyone from ages one to one-hundred. Read More>>

 Kathleen Donnelly

I have always been drawn to reading. I remember reading my first Mary Higgins Clark mystery and I was hooked. I feel like she also made me realize that women could have a career writing mysteries. As I started to pursue writing my own books, I discovered a community that I hadn’t found anywhere else. I don’t feel like there’s any competition, but rather collaboration with other writers. Read More>>

Carolina/Carol Brizuela

For me, it provides a sense of choice. As someone with various passions and interests, I enjoy exploring different avenues, often discovering how they intertwine with one another.

In my work, I seek specific elements that bring me fulfillment.
When my endeavors incorporate aspects like self-care, creative expression/ liberation, the role of a space holder, and fostering connections, it reassures me that I am heading in the right direction. Read More>>

Jeremy Verne

I had been in the digital designer for 25 years, and a woodworker for even longer, before I discovered sculpture. When I created my first piece, which was basically done on a lark, I had no idea the experience would be so impactful. It was one of those a-ha moments you hear about but either never have had yourself, or think anybody really does. I was so in the moment, and simply happy to be doing what I was doing. So just to be sure it wasn’t a fluke, I created a second, then a third piece, and had the same experience. So, just shy of 50 years old, I found out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Read More>>

Courtney Calton

Because once I picked up a camera, it felt like it belonged. I was always drawn to storytellin. Those quiet, blink-and-you-miss-it moments that actually mean everything. I always found myself draw to the odd photos, the not so picture perfect ones but the ones that made you feel something. Film photography was my first love (cue the vintage vibes), and capturing life through a lens felt like the first thing I was truly good at. Read More>>