Artistic and creative careers are among the most rewarding, but they also come with unique challenges. We asked some of the city’s best creatives to tell us why they choose to pursue a creative career.

Peyton Garcia | Writer & Editor

I feel like when anybody chooses to pursue an artistic or creative career, it’s passion that drives that decision. Careers in art, music, or writing are often endeavors that require a lot of your personal time and creative energy for little monetary reward. These career paths are not paths of least resistance. The work is hard and the pay is little. When you choose a path like this, you’re, more often than not, doing it because it fills you up with joy and pride and passion. I write because I love it. It’s a creative outlet. I can express myself in written words better than I can in any other way. I can transport people to different times and new places. I can give a voice to the voiceless. I can connect people who didn’t know they had anything to connect over. It’s not an easy career path, but I am just floored every single day that I get to wake up and do the thing that I love most. Read more>>

Deva Arani | Author, Kundalini Yoga Instructor & Life Coach

I’ve always been a bit independent and after 20 plus years practicing law I was ready to let go and follow my heart. This was a process and took time. For many years I juggled/jigged between my solo law practice and participating in, leading and guiding meditations and retreats, balancing the two and moving in between the two very different worlds. At one point, maybe 10 years ago I was hoping to learn “my true purpose” during a two-week meditation retreat and about half way through I had the understanding that my purpose is to be present and open hearted in all endeavors. This felt like such a sweet simple understanding and I realized I needed to apply it to my law practice. So for the next five years or so I did this and brought my presence, awareness and love to each and every client I met. Read more>>

David Hobbs | Painter

I believe when you’re an artist at heart you don’t really pursue it, it’s a compulsion to always be creating. I spent so much time painting before I ever thought it would go anywhere just because I loved the process of creating. It’s funny as an emerging artist how much we seek to find that style that is our own and for me it was so many years of constant learning and experimenting with art that it transformed into something people responded to. At the end of each day I just want to create and am grateful some people have found a liking towards it! Read more>>

Kari Geha | Photographer

I have worked many corporate jobs and even while working those full time, I always found a time to do photography. I could be exhausted, but I still always made room for it because I love it! I didn’t think it would ever become my full time career. After doing both a corporate job, and photography gigs on the side simultaneously for years, I finally decided to risk it all. I quit my full time job, and decided to give 100% to what I loved. I’m SO happy I did and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! Read more>>

Carly Johnson | Hairstylist

I’ve always loved art and have been surrounded by it from a young age. My Mom and Grandma were always doing some sort of creative project when I was growing up, and I think that rubbed off on me. I took every art class my high school offered and still wanted more. Art is just something that has always made sense and I’ve had a true passion for it. Now, getting to combine working with people and still creating at the same time is such a dream! Read more>>