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.

Amanda Johnston | Creative DIY Blogger

When I first started my business I had a 2 year old and a 6 month old. I was looking for a creative outlet that would help my connect with other moms while I stayed at home with my babies. I started by creating an online store where I made decorative pillows for kids rooms. This was perfect for me because I could be creative with designs and then let my little girls be the models. My business grew very quickly and I continued up until the birth of my son. Once he arrived I took a year off to enjoy the newborn stage but I began to miss the connection I had with my social media followers. Read more>>

Tevin Evans | Stylist and Model

I pursued a creative career because I had a choice to make between choosing to myself and my happiness or follow the expectations placed upon me by others. For a while I tried really hard to convince myself that a corporate setting could work for me but I’m too much of a colorful person for that Read more>>

Cassie Goldgehn | Videographer & Editor

Creativity has always been a part of my life. When I was young, I was always drawing, involved in music classes in school such as chorus or band, on stage for drama class and took video production in high school. My dad was heavily involved with computers growing up, so I was started on them at a very early age, as early as 1993, and later on I would play around on photoshop making silly little banners for people in the forums I was in. In my teenage years I picked up special effects makeup after working at a haunted house for about 5 years. Read more>>

Greg (Bad Bonez),/Leah (Gabbys Kiss) Franklin / pitcock | Comedic hosts / Burlesque performers

We’ve always had a desire to make people smile, laugh and bring them joy. For years we’ve been entertaining in some fashion for years now, organizing and hosting for fundraising events within the biker and military communities of Texas. After the kids had left home, we had experienced that empty nest feeling. Being that we have retired at a relatively young age we felt the need to adventure. We also wanted to show that Gabby’s multiple sclerosis would not stop us even though she was confined to a wheelchair for over 6 years. Read more>>

Olivia Martin | Nail Artist

I’ve always had an artistic way of thinking and a creative eye. Each job I had prior to becoming a Nail Artist, I would use my creative ways to create; new solutions, ideas, and systems to make work flow better. However working as a bank supervisor or a cashier at a burger joint really didn’t itch my artistic scratch, per se. Nor did I feel a sense of fulfillment. Read more>>

Miranda Griffin-Thomas | Tattoo Artist

Where to start on this one?! Truthfully, the ability to leave people better than I had found them would be my simple way of putting it all! I have always been drawn to the creative waves and I am fortunate that no one stopped me from coasting along those same waves for as long as I can remember. My late mother was an Artist as well as my foster mom; I give a lot of credit to them for showing me ((art)) can be everywhere you look, big or small- it has impact and sharing that with others is the greatest experience of all. I graduated from Herron School of Art and Design with the intentions to become an Art Therapist. Read more>>

Justin Martin | Professional Cyclist & Cycling Coach

Shortly after graduating college from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX, I started an Allstate Insurance Agency. During that time period, I learned a lot from colleagues and the industry as a whole. Although I had a great career, my internal happiness level was suffering. I had been a long time Motocross athlete and racer throughout my childhood and into college, so I have always had a little bug in me that wanted to get back to racing. Read more>>

Ariana Maria Muniz | Cinematographer & Editor

I pursued a creative career because there are many ways and jobs in which I both enjoy and can perform pretty successfully. But, one of the best parts of film and television is the worlds they allow you to step into, whether you’re behind and on camera, or watching the final product. You’re transported somewhere new for each presentation, and for me, that’s what keeps the passion alive. Being able to help create these worked is a passion. Read more>>

Lorraine Bell | Artist – Wanderer – Dreamer

Creativity has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was a crafter at a young age and my first real art lesson was at the age of 12 when my grandfather sat me down with an easel and oil paints in his front yard overlooking the Chesapeake Bay and showed me how to compose a painting by truly looking with my eyes and ignoring what my brain was telling me it sees. It changed everything for me once I started to see the world through an artist’s eyes. Read more>>

Marc Jones | Acrylic Artist

My trajectory in life really began to show itself in my early teens as I was constantly drawing everything! I began with cars and airplanes, going on to animals and people, and then buildings and ships. Whenever I was to study or read, I would be secretly drawing. Since reading for me has been a challenge throughout my life, I found art was my outlet and passion. I went to a Junior College at night so I could work during the day. I got great grades and secured an Art Scholarship to Syracuse University, graduating in 1974. Read more>>