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.

Sara Cripe | Real Estate Marketing Entrepreneur

Let’s be real, I’m super bad at math, there was no other option! Just kidding…well about the “no other option” part, the math thing is 100% true! I’ve always loved to draw, rearrange furniture, dress edgy, dye by hair every color under the sun and have a very “graphic” vocabulary. Needless to say, I was born to be an artist! After graduating high school in North Dakota, I was off to The Art Institute of Colorado, located in Denver, to receive my Graphic Art Degree. I met other creative people from graphic designers to interior/industrial designers to culinary artists. Yo, this place was my jam! Read more>>

Carin Mari | Singer/Songwriter & Musician

Growing up in the mountains of Colorado has always made me feel inspired by the natural beauty and the gifts that are out there for us to enjoy. My appreciation for the world around me, I believe, helped inspire me to create my own art in the form of music and songwriting. I was exposed to the arts at a young age and specifically fell in love with music at 9 years old. I learned to play the piano and soon after the guitar. Mostly singing cover songs in my early career, I found myself being intrigued by the stories of the songs I would listen to and sing. The stories and perspectives that these great writers tell, truly made me want to share my own stories from my perspective and experiences. Read more>>

Nikole Spiess | Entertainer & Stylist

I choose to pursue a creative career because I needed something to feed my soul. I worked in the corporate world for 21 years before switching to entertainment and dance. There is nothing in this world that makes me happier than being on stage, expressing myself, and making people feel good at the same time. Read more>>

Natalia G. McGuffee | Colombian Artist

I became an artist because of how it makes me feel and how it can make others feel. Art is an amazing way to express ourselves, not only the for the person who creates art but for the one who owns it. I love how art is always transmitting a message and awaking emotions in others – that is the goal I have with each of my paintings. More than selling just for selling I create with a purpose. Every painting I make is made with the purpose that people can find a connection: a memory of a place they visited, a place they dream to go, or any other reason that makes them smile when they look at it. With my work, Read more>>

Natalia G. McGuffee | Colombian Artist

I pursued a creative career, because I always at some point would love to work for myself full time. Since I was a little girl I was always into selling things, such as bracelets, candy, literally almost anything. I enjoy and have a lot of fun having my own small career, and can’t wait for the day it becomes big. It’s definitely a learning process but very interesting and fun! Read more>>

Josh Goldstein | Guitarist for IN THE VARIANT

The pursuit of creativity has always been central to who I am. The old saying goes do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life! That, and it provides a much needed cathartic outlet. Especially with the state of things in the world, this is necessary now more than ever, for EVERYONE! Read more>>

Tay Paulson | Photographer & Artist

When I graduated 5th grade my teacher Mr. Swift gave me my first camera and made me promise I wouldn’t give up on my dream to become a photographer. As I got older I kept that promise but when I turned 21 I decided to give painting a try. That’s when I fell deeply in love with expressing myself through the tip of a paintbrush too. I put all my negative emotions into the form of art. People seemed to deeply relate to my art and the meanings behind them. I also realized how much more I could express through painting than I could through photography; that was until I got older and discovered different types of photography. I use to take photos of nature and my dogs but began doing photo shoots of my friends for fun. Read more>>

Casey Pyle | Maker/Designer/Muralist/Creative

I’ve always found freedom and connection through creativity and I am fortunate to have been raised by an incredibly supportive and creative family. I have been drawing/painting/sewing for as long as I could hold them in my hand. My happy place is in the creative process. Art for me is about fun, interaction, and enjoyment. I didn’t pursue the artistic “career” direction at first, although I did think I would be a professional roller skater, or a women’s soccer player, naturally. After floating around a few different colleges hating math, and realizing that professional women’s soccer was still at least 8 years out, and a career in roller skating was unheard of, I *gasp* dropped out. Read more>>