How did you choose a creative path?

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.

Conrad Mata | Music Producer and Actor

I am an avid believer in the sentiment that to find your purpose, look to what made the hours pass like minutes when you were seven years old. For me that was writing stories under the tree in the front yard of my childhood home. At my core I am driven by narrative. Read more>>

Brooke Connor | Wildlife Illustrator

I actually pursued a degree in environmental science because art was innate for me and science wasn’t. My education would be better spent on things that I couldn’t teach myself. And that paid off. But after 28 years in the sciences, I was anxious to let myself use the other half of my brain again. And I’ve never felt better. Read more>>

Sauli Zinovjev | Composer

I don’t think an artistic career is something one pursues by planning to reach, it is more about that you just happen to do artistic things and if you are stubborn enough you might end up in a position where those artistic things might give you enough of income to be the only things you end up doing. In my case it was exactly like this and still is, I try to live a day by day and every work I do I concider it as my last work facing the void of uncertainty of future ahead. Read more>>

Kristin Campbell | Creator of Purple Flamingo Creations

I have always been the creative type, and somewhat of an entrepreneur. As a child, my art was featured in district art shows. In September of 2001, when I was a sophomore in high school, I made bracelets with American themed phrases on them and sold them to benefit the Red Cross. Read more>>

Chad Beall | Woodworker, Metal worker, musician, photographer

I didn’t really have a choice. I have a 100% right brain artistic approach to everything and don’t have much business sense. I have never fully understood the concept of money and I am not driven by it. My decisions and priorities have always been motivated and inspired by gut feelings, design, relationships, and artistic challenges. Read more>> 

Jakki Storm | Tattoo Artist & Model

I have always been the “creative” kid. I spent my school days doodling on page after page of math homework. Deep down I always wanted to be an artist, but the adults in my life assured me time and time again that it would be better in the long run if art remained a hobby and I instead pursued a career in STEM. Read more>>

Alexa Gayton | Blogger

I have a full time 9-5 job in the legal industry but I’ve always been super creative. So starting my blog was a fun outlet for me. I have also always loved writing so this has given me a chance to stretch my writing muscles I haven’t used in years! Read more>>

Casey Skeen | Author partnership/ social media content creator

I take pleasure in assisting authors in reaching their objectives and establishing meaningful connections with their target audience. I enjoy reading, so being able to help Indie Authors reach their goals and watch them grow and become amazing has always brought me so much joy. I want to one day write a novel of my own. Read more>>

Beverly Holtzem | Painter/illustrator

It’s something that I’ve had a desire for since I was a little girl. When I was in kindergarten, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I drew a picture of myself as an artist. This originally came to fruition after I graduated high school, I went to culinary arts school for pastry, and decorated wedding cakes as a career. Read more>>

EMoney 3600 | Musical artist

I pursued my artistic career to leave a legacy & to inspire the youth / world into remembering what we have & how much time we have on this earth, love learn & appreciate. Read more>>

Steven Lemoine | Your Humble Bartender

My family has always had an artistic ability but I was always told it comes forth every other sibling. My 2nd oldest aunt, 2nd eldest sibling, had a knack for art and poetry. Her last sister, 4th sibling, was blessed with artistic abilities as well. Read more>>

Morgan Gray | Painter

When I was growing up I knew that I didn’t want to work at a job I hated to make money. I had always been artistic, but I saw it as more of a hobby and didn’t think I had enough talent to pursue a career as an artist. When I went to college I started as a Mass Comm major while still using my free time to paint. Read more>>

Rose Mondragon | Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur

Overall, I don’t think it was ever really a question for me to do so. As fortunate as it is, I’ve sort of always known what I’ve wanted to do. I say fortunate because I’ve been told time and time again how lucky I am to have a passion to pursue, I take that to heart as much as I can to follow it. Read more>>

Jamie McNamara | Jamie McNamara | Art by Jamie Eileen

I have always been a creative of some form. When I was working as a nurse during the pandemic I needed an outlet for my stress, which is when I really dove into my art! Painting and creating is my favorite way to calm my mind in this very chaotic and fast-paced world. Read more>>