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.

Rosie Haggard | Cabinet Dealer & Kitchen Designer

I chose an artist career for many reasons. The first reason would be that if I was going to do something all day, most of my week, I wanted to enjoy it. I tried out a class in interior design because I thought it would be fun, and from there, my favorite class I took within the program was kitchen and bath. I did not know or care if I could make a living in this field, but I did know that if I got to wake up everyday knowing that I get to design kitchens and bathrooms, I would be happy with my lifelong career choice. To this day I am still passionate about the kitchens I design and with each project, I passionately design each cabinet layout and still get excited about each project because it is so much fun! Read more>>

Sister Neapolitan | Band

We collectively started playing music together two years ago and just kind of fell into the band, Sister Neapolitan. It clicked from the beginning and we ask ourselves “why aren’t we making music together as a band?”. We individually each come from musical backgrounds and were fast friends upon meeting each other at school (University of Colorado at Denver). We pursue music because that’s where our hearts lie and we can’t see ourselves doing anything else. Read more>>

Ashleigh Vlieger | Photographer & Owner

Since I was a kid, I’ve always been artistic. When I started shooting, I realized I could make a career out of photography. It would be hard, but I knew it would be worth it to do what I love. Being an artist for a living is something I never thought I would get to do in my life. I’m pretty blessed. Read more>>

Charla Harvey | Photographer

I decided to be a professional photographer because I have always loved photography and people! I realized this was a great way to combine these two loves. Being a photographer, I’ve met so many amazing people that I might not have been able to meet otherwise! I do not have the artistic talent to paint or draw, but I like to think the way I see people is an art, and I’m grateful to be able to capture that vision. I absolutely love doing self-love shoots for people, too. I get to co-create photos that allow clients to love themselves and their own beauty. Photography has also combined my love of music! I’m able to photograph shows while also getting to see to some of my favorite bands and discover new favorites. Photography has always been a hobby/passion of mine, so I turned it into a career! Read more>>

Taylor Spaziani | Sex Therapist in Training

I decided to pursue a “creative” career, as I understand that the field of human sexuality can be seen as “taboo” or misunderstood. I have wanted to be a sex therapist since I was very young, as I have always been comfortable talking about sexual issues and topics. I 100% believe that especially in our Westernized culture, human sexuality can be a hard topic to discuss, and we see a lot of flaws in our systems and our children’s development because of it. Without being able to healthily discuss human sexuality, we grow up being left in the dark and uneducated. We wind up educating ourselves through media and pornography and get twisted ideas about what sex really looks like. Read more>>

Jennifer Pennington Gacek | Conceptual Hair and Makeup Artist

I’ve always felt like I was kind of a misfit, or someone who walked to the beat of their own drum. I always had my own ideas and visions. I see things in color. I’m not an overly logical person. My interests and passions are creative, romantic and colorful. I’ve always wanted to leave the world more beautiful. I see beauty in almost all things. I just wanted to capture fractals of my imagination in time and put them out in the world. I’ve always been naturally inclined artistically and have always aspired to be the best version of myself. With so many talented artists around, how can you not be inspired? I’ve always been in awe at the lives that creatives and artists live. It seemed magical and free. That’s the kind of life I wanted. Read more>>

Liza Degtiarova | Fashion Model

Modeling career lets me bring out my character, my personality, and my spirit. Creativity in modeling is shown through different looks and each one is entirely unique. One picture speaks a thousand words, and I am able to express it through creativity. I get inspired when I work because I am able to do something I feel strongly about, as well as being able to inspire others. Read more>>